Biology/forensic biology
Advertisement
Question
My name is Roger S. H. Schulman; I'm a screenwriter (you may look up my credits if you wish) and, by the way, an AllExperts expert! I'm working on a television screenplay that centers around a forensic biologist for the police; specifically, an expert in mold, pollen, insects. The LAPD won't help me research this field, as they would be swamped by requests, this being the entertainment capital. I'm approaching other sources, but since I work for and love AllExperts, I thought I would try this vector as well. I realize you aren't in forensics yourself, but I thought from your profile that it's possible you may know a biologist who went into that field who might be able to spend some time giving me an idea of what that type of job is really like -- not what it's portrayed as on television.
Please let me know. In any case, I appreciate your time.
Roger
Hi Roger,
I don't know anyone in the field, but I will ask around. In the mean time, here is a list of books (several of them on the subject) that may provide some of the details you are seeking:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-forensic-science-funeral-industry/lm/2AE0TW5JWL0O5
In particular, I have read the non-fiction book "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach", and it contains at least one chapter that goes into detail describing what happens to a body and how quickly (specifically, insects and microorganisms). I believe it also gets into different circumstances surrounding where the body is found (shade versus sunlight, etc.).
I'll let you know if I find anyone in my network who specializes in this sort of thing.
-C
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Chris Bemis
Expertise
I will answer questions relating to the identification of bacterial and fungal isolates using phenotypic (macroscopic/microscopic appearance, biochemical bench tests, fatty-acid analysis) as well as genotypic (RiboPrinting) methods. I can also answer questions relating to environmental microbiology, especially those specifically relating to the pharmaceutical industry. I am less familiar with clinical microbiology.
Experience
I have worked within the biotech industry for 9 years, most of that time spent in a Quality Control Microbiology laboratory setting.
Within the laboratory, I routinely performed bioburden testing; sterility testing; gel-clot and kinetic LAL testing; biological indicator testing; stability testing; microbial limits testing; media performance/growth promotion testing; microbial identifications testing using API, Vitek, MIDI (GC-MIS) and RiboPrinter identifications systems; total/fecal coliform testing; environmental monitoring; media preparation; stock culture maintenance; qualification of identification test kits and QuantiCult Plus organisms. I executed the QC validation of the DuPont Qualicon RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System. I also supported sites internationally with the fungal/microbial identification process, the RiboPrinter assay, stock culture maintenance and the microbial identification process flow.
Organizations
Nationally Registered Microbiologist, American Society of Microbiology (2005)
Publications
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Education/Credentials
B.S. in Microbiology (2000)
Awards and Honors
Received my company's 'Best Practice Award' for the Validation of the RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System, 2004
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.