2 answers
Shaila
Student
Lansing, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
568 views
How do I get into Food Forensics?
I have a B.S. in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. I've spent the last year in Victim Advocacy. Now I'm considering switching careers up a little and getting into Food Forensics. I've been in a Health and Wellness program for a few months learning about food and I love it. I feel like Food Forensics would be an awesome job for me, but I don't know how to get into it. What education/skills do I need for this? Do you have any resources I can look at for continuing education and/or job requirements? Internship ideas would be awesome too. Thanks!
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2 answers
Lynn Miller
Private and Personal Chef, Food Stylist, Recipe Developer
13
Answers
Cold Spring, New York
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
You may also want to contact the head of several county health departments. If I understand you correctly, your aim to pursue "food forensics" would involve examining which foods, served when and how, led to an undesired result when ingested by a person or group of people?
However, in all my years (40+) working in different food related vocations, I've never heard of the term "food forensics."
Be that as it may, I do know several "food scientists" who study and document how and why foods behave the way they do when combined with heat, other foods, chemicals and other factors.
The two food scientists that have been most influential are Harold McGee who wrote "On Food and Cooking: the Science and Lore of the Kitchen" and Shirley Corriher whose books are "CookWise" and "BakeWise." All three of these books reside in my kitchen and I refer to them often. Alton Brown also studies this subject and makes some fun videos, but he gets most of his information from the other two food writers.
Whether I've understood your question correctly or not, a solid education in food science would definitely provide the fundamental information you need.
However, in all my years (40+) working in different food related vocations, I've never heard of the term "food forensics."
Be that as it may, I do know several "food scientists" who study and document how and why foods behave the way they do when combined with heat, other foods, chemicals and other factors.
The two food scientists that have been most influential are Harold McGee who wrote "On Food and Cooking: the Science and Lore of the Kitchen" and Shirley Corriher whose books are "CookWise" and "BakeWise." All three of these books reside in my kitchen and I refer to them often. Alton Brown also studies this subject and makes some fun videos, but he gets most of his information from the other two food writers.
Whether I've understood your question correctly or not, a solid education in food science would definitely provide the fundamental information you need.
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
44
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
Contact your local police station and see if you can schedule a meeting with a manager or a higher-level officer and bring them a list of questions. Even if they don't know the answers, they can point you in the right direction.