My origin story: why I’m hooked on forensic science

Hello there,

Last week, I turned 40!  I’ve never been one to lie about my age or keep the number a secret but this year the birthday felt BIG!  It’s come and gone and not that much changed but it certainly has me thinking back on my life.  In the next few months, I will be publishing a webinar for beginner practitioners.  To develop the course, I was thinking back on how I got started and the steps I took to get where I am today. I can tell you right now - it was not a straight path and it was not easy! 

I’ve known I wanted to be in forensic science since I was middle school-aged.  My parents are both responders and never shied away from talking about blood and guts at the dinner table (you know, the things that make us human!).  When school was out, my dad would take me to work with him and I’d walk around downtown DC, try to get into the FBI building, or sit in the Emergency Department and watch it hum.  One day, EMS rolled in a patient who attempted suicide by ingesting a toxic seed – with him, they brought a thick packet of research he prepared in order to end his life.  I was stunned!  All that time and effort could have gone to anything, and this guy chose to spend it on how to best kill himself?!  My mind was blown and I was hooked on “the abnormal.”  What in the world is this death thing?  Why don’t we know more about it?  Why are we scared of it? Why do people do the things they do? Why don’t we all do those things?  

I read everything I could get my hands on that had the word “forensic” in the title – William Maples’ books Dead Men Do Tell Tales, every single Kathy Reich and Patricia Cornwell novel (until I knew better), anything by anyone calling themselves an FBI profiler. My mom took me to a lecture about JonBenet Ramsey and my passion grew.  My high school offered a Psychology class and I ate it up.  I was one of very few freshman at Colorado College who declared their major first thing (and actually stuck with it all four years!).

I had no idea where this interest would take me but I knew I was starting on something big.  Have you ever experienced something like this?  It was like I was awakening to my true self, uncovering a hidden gem inside of me.  And the whole time felt right and good.  Over the next few emails, I want to tell my story from start to now – there will be ups and downs, fun and fail, good and not great.  For me, the whole process was important.  I never ever wanted to “give up” because that wasn’t an option. For me, this was the only way to live, the only path forward, the only career to pursue.  It’s not easy but it’s been so worth it!

I can’t wait to share more about my experiences next time! 

Have a great day,

Kat