Forensic Science: The Darkest Side of Humanity • Amelia Bussell

(Forensic Scientist, Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory Division || WA USA)

“I have had the opportunity to work in many interesting disciplines within forensic science. My first endeavor was working at a decomposition facility. Once you pass away, you can donate your body to science and either become a medical cadaver for medical school or go to a decomposition facility, i.e. a “body farm”. These facilities research how a body decomposes in different scenarios and environments to aid in death investigations and train law enforcement — I worked at the only high-altitude body farm at that time.

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During graduate school as I was working on my Master of Science in Forensic Sciences, I worked as a medicolegal death investigator where I would respond to violent, unnatural, and suspicious deaths. I would usually respond to the scene to further document it to help the forensic pathologists complete their side of the investigation. Some crime scenes can be disturbing. I now work as a forensic DNA examiner and part-time death investigator, and as a forensic scientist, you do see the darkest side of humanity, and you try to protect the general public from it. Very few scenes make me uncomfortable or upset, thanks to previous training and experience, and maintaining good mental health and wellness practices. Even though this work can be difficult, I still think that people are inherently good.

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I take my job seriously and I am honored to be able to do the work I do. I like that I am able to provide investigative information to law enforcement agencies that help solve cases, or to families who have gone for so long without getting closure or provide answers to help them heal. The work I do also has the potential to exonerate the innocent as well, which is very powerful! There are so many possibilities to help others when you work in forensic science.”