Ever watched an episode of Sherlock or Making a Murderer and become absorbed by how crime scene investigations are carried out?

The forensic science behind it might look fairly straight forward, but watching it on TV doesn’t always portray the job in its true form – so what exactly is a forensic scientist, and what is it really like to be one?

Dr Paola Magni is a lecturer in forensic science at Murdoch University and has worked in the field for more than 10 years. In her home country of Italy, Dr Magni was involved as an expert forensic witness in nearly 70 different cases of suspicious death; her expertise has also been drawn upon for other cases here in Australia.

In light of National Science Week’s focus on Game Changers and Change Makers, we explore Dr Magni’s inspiration for becoming a forensic scientist, the challenges and highlights of the job, and the possibilities of where a career as a forensic scientist could take you.

For someone who might not know, what exactly is a forensic scientist?

“Forensic science is the application of science – any kind of science – to criminal or civil law. A forensic scientist collects, preserves, and analyses scientific evidence during the course of an investigation and will provide impartial scientific testimony in courts of law, to support either the prosecution or defence in criminal and civil investigations.”

Tell us about your pathway to becoming a forensic scientist.

“I studied natural sciences and during the course of my studies I focused my research on the application of natural sciences – especially entomology, the study of insects – in forensic pathology.

“I built my forensic experience working alongside forensic pathologists, performing body recoveries and autopsies as well as preparing court reports. I then pursued a PhD in biology, again focusing on forensic entomology but also in an aquatic environment.”

What inspired you to become a forensic scientist?

“As far as I remember I was always in love with science. In particular biology, ecology, zoology, marine biology.

“During the course of my studies I realised that I could apply my knowledge about these disciplines to something useful for the community: justice. So, I specialised in the application of biology to crime scene investigation.”

How is your expertise on natural science used for crime scene investigations?

“A crime scene can happen anywhere; the perpetrator of a crime cannot stop the environment leaving traces of itself on them, nor the perpetrator leaving traces of themselves on the environment. The environment – and the organisms associated with it – can be the key of the investigation in order to identify place, time and people involved in a crime.”

What does a typical day as a forensic scientist look like?

“Some days can be simply teaching students or lab research, but other times I can be called to assist in investigations. When this happens it can be anywhere at any time of the day or the night, so I always have a ‘kit’ ready to go in my car.”

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve been involved in as part of your job?

“I like to meet people and collaborate with them using different approaches and expertise. Despite what everyone thinks, in forensic science there is no space for a single ‘Sherlock Holmes’ – a case can be closed thanks to the communication and collaboration of all experts.”

What are some of the challenges and highlights involved?

“A big challenge of my job is that the environment is in continuous evolution and many environments have not been studied before a crime happens within it. It can be extremely challenging to discern between evidence that is simply part of the environment or is there because of the crime.”

“[But] overall, being able to use science to help the community [is a positive]. Discovering new things and sharing this with the scientific community to add more tools to the toolbox of forensic investigators.”