Hi,

Im interested in doing a PhD in Forensic Science. My current area of interests are DNA profiling, crime scene DNA evidence collection and forensic entomology. All of these are lab based interests so I hope you can see my problem.

I guess you are wondering why I dont just do a lab based project? Unfortunately, Im in my 30s and have a family and cannot afford to quite my current job biotechnology business manager to become a student again.

Im doing this PhD for personal reasons and to enhance my knowledge and interest in the topics of DNA profiling. I used to work for the FSS several years ago but quit since I could not survive as a family man with their poor pay.

I am having great difficulty in thinking of a non lab based approach to study and investigate a problem in Forensic Science DNA profiling or any of the topics that I am interested in. Ive been reading various papers for a year now and still cannot come up with something that is PhD worthy that is not lab based.

I could ask supervisors to think of a project for me but I guess I will be shooting myself in the foot and already showing them that Im incapable of thinking myself.

Im on the point of quiting my dream now and accept that I will never have a PhD. I could go do it full time but I have dependents and cannot be that selfish.

Anyone else in a simmilar situation or any scientists doing a non lab based science PhD?

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I’m 31 years old and currently employed as a Business Development Manager for a Biotech company who develop and create specialist research tools for the life science research sector.



I have a BSc in Genetics and an MSc in Forensics. I have around 4 years lab based R&D experience within the diagnostic sector and almost 3 years experience in the sales sector. One of my biggest regrets was not doing a PhD. I have a young family and get well paid in my current job and therefore not willing to quit and pursue a full time PhD. Although, even if I did I doubt I will get a studentship since despite being employed very technical consultative role it’s been ages since I have been in a lab. Therefore, my realistic option would be to do a part-time PhD, however I cannot afford to pay the £7-14k lab fees on top of the tuition fees for 6 years!!



So that only leaves me with the option of a “non-lab based Scientific PhD” – Im finding it very difficult to come up with an interesting research proposal. I would like it to be within the topic of Forensics and have identified a potential supervisor but coming up with something original is proving more difficult than I thought!! I can think of some good ideas for lab based Forenisc Phds's but when it comes to non lab based one, Im drawing a blank. Another option is the social science approach and looking to ethical side of Forensics but the ideas that I come up with are so cliched and unoriginal. I would be very grateful if someone could recommend some good websites on the topic and also some hints and tips of proposal writing and how I should approach try to think of a good idea for a thesis.