Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
Throughout my four years of undergrad, there was one goal that I always worked towards: getting a Bachelor of Science in both forensic science and biology to later become a forensic biologist. Now, many of these classes were difficult and I sometimes struggled. This was especially true when I was left to make decisions on my own or came across things that I did not understand. Because of this, I gained a lot of problem solving skills that allowed me to become more confident in myself and seek out answers in new ways. Three experiences that I felt like improved my problem solving skills were my internship with Indiana State Police, my forensic capstone III mock case/trial, and my forensic capstone I Honors project.
Indiana State Police Forensic Biology Internship (Fall 2024)
I would love to work at ISP in their forensic biology unit, so when their Indianapolis location had an opening for a semester-long internship with them, I knew I had to apply. The project involved me pulling data from old cases/lab reports that utilized serological testing. This was done to determine if the newer "direct to DNA" method would be able to provide the same information as serological testing (see the Google Slides for further explanation).
Each of the old files that I looked at where written up by a number of different people, meaning everybody's symbols and wording of things were a little different. Sometimes the results of the serological testing themselves were a bit unusual. I was often by myself doing the project as my supervisor had many important roles of her own to work on. Even when my supervisor was unavailable, I still had access to every biologist on the floor and was able to ask questions. When something like that did come up, I began to find my voice and ask them questions. Sometimes I was even able to find the scientist that wrote that very report and they were happy to walk me through what they wrote and why. Soon, I was able to understand and sort the results that I was seeing and began to fly through the files.
Forensic Capstone III: Mock Case and Trial (Spring 2025)
As a part of the forensic science degree, everyone must take three capstone courses, including forensic genetics. The lab component of this class was built off the previous semester's forensic biology course, allowing us to have everything we previously learned fresh in our minds. This was needed as the goal of the forensic genetics lab was to get a mock case involving forensic evidence, test the evidence according to what is was and the situation at hand, and testify about the evidence in a mock court trial.
The mock case was completed in the lab with my partner and we decided what protocols and techniques to use in order pull information from the evidence. This in and of itself was one large problem solving fiasco. We had to trust our knowledge to make the best decisions with the evidence and make further decisions upon getting the results and interpreting their meaning. Our resulting DNA profiles were not the cleanest, so we had to sort out what was our actual genetic material and what wasn't, ultimately defending these final decisions in the mock trial. There was problem solving at every step of the way and I felt like my partner and I handled the stress of it all extremely well.
Forensic Capstone I Honors Project (Spring 2025)
When asking about completing an Honors project with my forensic capstone I course, my professor requested that I interview a professional in the field that I would like to go into. I knew it would be a forensic biologist, but contacting one and getting a response stood in my way. After devising a plan and getting a response, I emailed the scientist with my questions and recieved answers in return.
Back in high school, I toured the forensic lab at Indiana State Police's Lowell location as a part of a "shadowing day" assignment. I decided to use my previous connection with the lab to reach out and ask if one of their scientists would be willing to do an interview with me. The lab supervisor handed me over to a lovely scientist who happily answered all of my questions. I then asked if I could get another tour of their facilities, since they had built a new lab since I had been there. She agreed and I was able to meet and talk with her in person where even more of my pressing questions were answered.
Reflection
Reflection
These three experiences all furthered my problem solving skills in their own ways. Whether it was becoming more independent and confident so that I feel better when I making decisions or helping to find my voice when asking questions to solve a problem, I was able to gain valuable skills that I can apply to my future career as a forensic biologist. Data in the world of forensic science can come out looking really weird and it is up to us to make final decisions on how to interpret it. Being unafraid to ask for a second opinion and being confident in your own decision making and problem solving skills is the best way to go about these types of things.
Page updated
Report abuse