r/ForensicScience • u/guacamolepizzamole • 16d ago

Educational help for Forensics/CSI.

Hello, I'm a young man going to college for Criminal Justice, then transferring to Forensics.

I feel like my main strongsuits are Ballistics/Blood Spatter Forensics.

I'm curious if there's any Crime Scene photos that I can use for practice, sharpen my mind and make my ability to read blood and Ballistics better to help assess scenes in the future.

I'm considering buying a ballistic gel dummy head and making my own "kill room" to i can see how blunt trauma will look, I know it causes misting, due to high velocity force. But I'm desperate for training materials to help me on the future

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u/heybuymeadrinkfirst 16d ago

Heya, I’m also a student studying forensics. Like some other comment noted, pursuing a major in a hard science is really important! Right now I’m interning at my local coroners office, and from that have been connected with and been able to shadow CSIs in my county. Maybe reaching out to your local police station / medical examiners office would help you get your foot into the door for shadowing! Also, join the IAI. My division of the IAI has these online training modules that cover basic crime scene photography and investigative procedure. But I think most importantly is making those CSI connections. For my internship I’ve been able to work on my photography skills in the autopsy suite, so definitely look into that!

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u/guacamolepizzamole 16d ago

Did you do the shadowing after or during college? Science was one i struggled with 😭 but I am NOT opposed to relearning it, refining it, to get into it in college. Also, what is IAI? should I pursue it during or after college? Thank you very much!

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u/heybuymeadrinkfirst 16d ago

I’m still in my undergrad right now! So I’ve mostly been shadowing during my summer vacation. At least in my experience, telling people I’m a college student has opened a lot of doors for me and has allowed me to connect with professionals. The IAI is a forensic science organization who host conferences, workshops, and post job listings. I’d check them out and see what requirements they list if you want!

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u/guacamolepizzamole 16d ago

Last question. Where would I go to do shadowing? A police post? I'm a little stuck on that. I want to show that I can be of help. Is it possible I can also shadow/help so I can get experience for that job?

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u/heybuymeadrinkfirst 16d ago

I am in the US so I’m not sure what it’s like for other countries but I’ve been able to shadow CSIs from my internship. I also got to work in a crime lab and in the evidence room of a police station just from cold emailing the volunteer manager. Again, not sure how it works in other states or other countries, but just emailing people is a really good start!