CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR

5	Name: Kelly Reats Date of birth: 03-01-1985 Education: Biology and medical laboratory research Profession: Still a student Occupation in 25 years? Hopefully a crime scene investigator Hobbies: Music, films, kickboxing, spending time with friends and travelling

What education have you followed?
I started with an intermediate vocational training to become a veterinary nurse because at that time I was very interested in animals. I knew that I wanted to continue my education after this course and have always been interested in working in a laboratory. When I graduated I started training in Biological and Medical Laboratory Research.

Why did you choose this field?
I have always been interested in biology. When I was doing the intermediate vocational training you heard more and more about forensic research but I don't think there was a course available at that time. That is why I decided to go for molecular research. During my second period of work experience I found out that DNA and forensic research were for me.

What is an average work day like?
At college it depends which year you are in; the first year is principally orientation and theory. Later you spend more time in the lab and you will be working on your own projects. You will do work experience in the third and fourth years. I have done work experience at the Los Angeles Forensic Crime Lab, among others– LA has so much criminality! You often hear things on the news and in TV series, but if you are actually there… unbelievable.

What makes your field so special?
You can take so many different directions – you could work in a forensic institute or find medicines to combat certain illnesses, etc. It is actually never boring and work can always be found. It depends on where your interests lie, for me they lie in the area of forensics.

Have you discovered anything in particular?
I was just starting the work experiences – I have done two forensic work experiences abroad – and afraid that I wasn't clever enough or that I wouldn't know what to do but I discovered that I could work alone very well. The work in Los Angeles made me feel that I was really helping to combat criminality. And: you gain much more experience if you look further than your own little world. People think I am now much more independent and self-reliant because I had to do everything alone for 14 months. If you want to achieve something, go for it!