National Forensic Science Week is all about showing appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the people that work in forensic science. At Bode Technology, we are privileged to have a staff full of passion for their work. This week, we want to highlight them and take a closer look into the world of forensic science at the Bode laboratory.
We are excited to introduce Trupti, a current George Washington University fellow and member of the research and validations team. The George Washington Fellowship works in partnership with Bode and chooses one student every year to gain working experience while furthering their education. Trupti was chosen this year and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in forensic biology. She plays a vital role in ensuring DNA samples are adhering to the highest standards by validating all instrumentation and technology in the lab.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
How did you get into the world of forensic science?
So, I’m kind of a cliche. I grew up watching all these crime shows. I love Law and Order SVU, I love Criminal Minds. I even love The Flash, who’s a crime scene investigator, and you know those calls [in the shows] that the detectives always get where they’re like, “The lab has the results! The DNA has a match!” I was like, that’s not how that works. I was just really interested in the background of that and truly what goes on in like a forensic laboratory. I was really passionate about biology. I had kind of like this personality of identifying patterns, you know, analyzing patterns and that type of stuff. And I’ve enjoyed learning about the criminal justice system. So, [I] kind of [blended] those things. And forensic science is such a perfect intersection of both criminology and biology. So yeah, that’s how I found that.
What does your day-to-day look like?
My day-to-day. Well, the past couple months have been summer. I’ve not actually been in school, so I’ve been able to work full time. One of my favorite parts about the team is that it really is flexible with your own schedule. And so, when you’re kind of being independent on a project, you get to choose when you come in and when you leave. I’m not a morning person. So, I normally come in around like 9:30-10:00 and I will read my emails, send my messages and then depending on the lab work that I have to do, I’ll either go into the lab depending on the projects that I’m working on.
Currently, I’m doing a lot of work on the Hamilton Vantages, which is our automated liquid transferring system. And so, I’ve been doing that and working on a couple of those validations. Normally when we have a validation, we’ll have to write it up as well. So currently working on a lot of–we call them validation summaries.
I also played a vital role in validating the new Rapid Hit system, which is essentially like an instrument that obtains a DNA profile in 90 minutes. And so, we had a new system upgrade that the manufacturer came out with. For my research project, I validated that and I’m currently in the process of implementing it at Bode. So, training analysts to use it to you know, run it. And so that has been taking up my time for a lot of the summer.
During school, I’ll normally work from like 9:00 to 3:00. And then I will go to class at George Washington. And then I’ll go home and eat and watch TV and do the whole thing over again.
What do you think has been the most interesting thing that you’ve worked on so far?
That’s a great question. I feel like, you know, I’ve been here for the last year, so a lot of like the beginning was training. I’m quite new to the forensics world. I didn’t do my undergrad in forensics. Everything that I was learning was just brand new. It was really exciting.
And I love being in research. I have a quite inquisitive brain, I love asking questions. I love really figuring out why things are happening, not just knowing that they are. I’ve really enjoyed learning about just a lot of the different processes that we do at Bode, [and] a lot of the different services that we offer.
I really do like working on the Hamilton Vantages because things go wrong a lot and I like that. I know it’s weird to say, but I just love troubleshooting. I love just to be really meticulous and in how you handle those instruments and how you do like script edits or how you try to fix a problem just because there’s so many moving parts. I’ve been really enjoying learning that programming.
You have a lot of like Eureka moments in research, which is really fun. Like when you’ve been working on a problem for like weeks and weeks and then there was that little detail that you change suddenly makes things work. And so I remember with me and my team, we were working on it and we were having this issue for the longest time and we finally figured out the problem. I think we cried a little bit of happy tears, but we all screamed in the lab.
So, on the flip side of that, what is the most challenging thing about working here or about your job in general?
I think it’s just the fact that like, there is a lot going on, and I think it’s just like feeling that I’m constantly like not knowing enough. I think that’s more of a me issue than a Bode issue. I don’t know how I want to put this. I feel like I fall behind not in my work, but just in my knowledge because this field is moving so quickly. Yeah, that it’s like there’s constantly new things to learn. And so I think my challenge has been like not having impostor syndrome and believing that like, I’m, you know, on the right, path. I’m going [at] a good pace. I’ve only been here for a year, and I’ve learned a lot. So, you know, just believing in that, being confident enough. I’m actually applying for an internal position at Bode and so like believing that I’m experienced enough and qualified enough. I think everyone deals a little bit with impostor syndrome.
What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
I think with forensics, sometimes we’re so into it that we forget to step back and, and say, why are we doing what we do? And I kind of like to constantly remind myself about my roommate, [who] is in forensic psychology. And she comes back with all these cases that she’s learned. And it reminds me I’m a part of a vital piece of the puzzle in that whole system of getting justice for victims or survivors. I mean, one of my team members, Sarah Schmitz, she is the first FIGG analyst. She’s the one that was a fellow that went to [GW] and she talks these cases and how, they made an arrest on a case that she worked on.
I feel like we get wrapped up in all the science that sometimes we forget that we’re really doing good work, and we are providing justice to people that may not have a voice right now. So yeah, that’s overall the most rewarding part. All these people are working every day to achieve that justice.
I think it’s hard because especially when you’re in the lab, a lot of it [is] kind of just literally is liquid in a tube. And it’s difficult to kind of step back and be like, in my hands are like potentially the justice that I can seek for someone. And it puts a lot of pressure on things. Forensics is so meticulous.
And it’s really cool that we are working on new technology that potentially do things quicker or faster [and] obtain more reliable, accurate results. That one of the biggest things in forensics is the sexual assault [kit] backlog, that we are trying to get rid of [everyday]. And so that is really cool, especially working on something like Rapid, which is used a lot for that.
How is working with [Rapid instruments] different than working with the instruments that are in the lab?
Well, it was very different. It’s a one-step instrument. So, you really put like the swab or the substrate in a cartridge and you just put it into the instrument, and it does all the work for you; and all you have to do is the analysis. So when things go wrong, it’s kind of hard to pinpoint what happened. I mean, there’s like safety measures in the system to tell you, but if there is an error, really the only thing that you can do is do it again. Versus in the lab, you can have quality checks. We have a quant so you can see if your DNA is suitable to proceed with downstream processing. And then we have things we do at the amplification level steps that we know we can go back to the PCR product if there is an issue with the CE or something like that. So, there’s a lot of different steps that is harder. I mean, it’s a lot more complicated. It goes into a bunch of different hands, especially with casework. So, it’s much more prone to contamination. However, I mean, you do get more accurate results. You can design the experiment a little better to suit whatever evidence you have. That’s why we have different extraction methods, we have different amplification methods. But in Rapid you really only have a couple options. And now, the new system that I validated gives you a couple more protocol options or technically just one more protocol option. If you do have an item of evidence that has a lower quantity of DNA, or you suspect it has a lower quantity of DNA, you need something that provides higher sensitivity. So really [it] just limits what you can do. But I mean, it does give you a profile in 90 minutes, which is much, much, much shorter than the day and 1/2 that you could obtain a profile if you rush it through the lab. And it can take weeks. Because at Bode, we batch work, because we’re [a] high throughput lab essentially like lab support, [so] we [rarely take] one person [or] one sample it’s called a cradle to grave. So, from sample evidence sampling all the way to like SDR analysis, it kind of it’s batched in with a bunch of other samples. And so, in that case, it is very efficient what we do. But, when it comes to like these rush cases or one-off cases that’s something that Rapid would potentially be beneficial in. It’s also a remote instrument, so you can really put it anywhere.
What are your future career goals and aspirations?
I’m applying for a research associate position at Bode because I think this past year has really solidified that I want to pursue a career in research. I just love that everyday my job is a little bit different and that I’m working on a bunch of different projects at a time. And it is such a great avenue to learn and to grow as a scientist. So, I see myself continuing research, potentially even going into product development. When I’m using an amplification kit or doing a DNA extraction, I like to constantly remind myself: what is going on? What are the reagents? What are their jobs? What would happen if things change? And I think the way that my brain [works] would be very attuned to go into product development and kind of doing that trial and error. If there’s this problem or there’s this goal that we have, what [are] different ways that we can solve it, or we can get to it. And then, coming up with a plan and actually creating a product that addresses that problem is really cool. I think it’s a really cool pathway to follow.
So going back to where you’re talking about taking a step back and just realizing the bigger perspective about your job. How does working with that kind of material and environment affect you emotionally and how do you handle that?
That’s a good question. I hate to say this, but I think a lot of us are a little desensitized, just because of [the nature of this career]. I had a hard but interesting experience at school where we had to do a mock case for our lab in school. And we were like given this mock scenario where it was this woman that was assaulted, then we presented on it as a class. We all thought that it was a mock case, but the survivor actually came and spoke to us and it was a real case. And it was really brutal. It was a really brutal assault. I sobbed during her story. And she was the bravest woman I’ve ever met in my entire life. And she spoke with such, confidence and, and such bravery. And, she said at the end of this, “I hope I’ve given you a reason to never quit your job”. Because the reason that her perpetrator was caught was through DNA evidence. Because it is difficult, especially being in this career. It’s not paid super well sometimes, it’s overworked, underfunded. And it was just that reminder [that] our job really matters. And so it does take an emotional toll sometimes, but it’s always worth it. I’ve never questioned whether or not it is worth it. And sometimes being in research kind of removes you a little bit with that because we create mock samples and stuff like that. But in school especially, when we’re learning about all these different stories that is probably where I’ve taken the most emotional toll. But it just brings you back to why it’s important. I know all of us were so surprised and crying because it’s like such a hard thing to hear someone go through. But she persevered, and she survived. And I think about her every day.
What piece of advice would you give to someone going into this career field?
My piece of advice that I would give someone is really identify why you’re doing it. There’s so many different avenues you can go into, in forensics, and it is a lot of work—and it is extremely rewarding. But I think it always helps when you’re passionate about it. And so, it’s not something that I think you can really fall back on as like a default career. I think you need to have a passion for it. And I think you need to figure out why exactly you’re doing it. And then keep going. I had an experience in college where I didn’t get an internship—and I kept going. And I was really disappointed at first. But just as any job, keep persevering, keep trying network, try to get as many connections as you can. Even if it’s like your neighbor’s aunt who like works at a law enforcement agency. Find a way to talk to [someone to] get in the field.
Wrapping up our conversation with Trupti, it’s clear that she is dedicated and passionate about what she does. She is committed to seeking justice and is excited about what is to come in the world of forensics. National Forensic Science Week is the perfect time to recognize and celebrate the hard work of professionals like Trupti, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring answers and closure to families and communities. Stay tuned throughout the week as we continue to highlight more of our incredible team members and showcase the fascinating world of forensic science.