We were lucky to catch up with Anjali Ranadive recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anjali thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I worked as an analyst in a private crime lab that only did forensic DNA testing. When one of my mentors left the lab to help establish the Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ)/US Department of Justice, I followed her and worked in federal grant administration supporting state and local crime labs and creating and hosting large scale continuing education programs that bridged the gap between science and law, bringing together all players in the criminal justice system to share experiences and solutions to improve the services we provided to the community. I also took this opportunity to venture back to school and attended law school at night while working full time. Once I completed law school, took and passed the MD State Bar Exam, I left NIJ and hung out the proverbial shingle and with that, SciLawForensics, Ltd was born in December, 2002. I leveraged my federal clients and contacts, letting them know I was now in private practice and available to help them create and deliver curricula, develop training, put together conferences and review criminal cases that involved DNA testing. The first few years were amazing. I got several part time contracts to work for educational institutions and law enforcement agencies and I was busier than I’d ever imagined. But eventually, after 911, the funding sources used to hire me dissipated as the Government redirected money towards military operations. Having grown used to being my own boss I was not ready to give up, so kept attending professional conferences, giving talks, networking and applying to grants. For the last 10 years I have managed to continue to receive a steady stream of criminal cases and have supplemented that work with one of my other life-long passions: teaching group fitness classes. If being your own boss is a dream I whole-heartedly recommend going for it. Just know that the life of a consultant is unpredictable and can be stressful at times when you may not know whether or when your next case will come in. Have a back-up plan and/or other skills you can fall back on or use to supplement your income if necessary so you don’t throw in the towel before you give it a fighting chance

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My background is in forensic science (BA in Biology and MFS in Forensic Science + a JD). I worked as a bench analyst in a private DNA lab and then the USDOJ before establishing my own consulting firm: SciLawForensics, Ltd. Since 2002, I’ve been a contractor or consultant, for the defense bar, reviewing criminal cases involving DNA evidence from all over the US. If needed, I provide expert testimony in support of my review, I’ve had the pleasure of working on several post-conviction cases for various state Innocence Project organizations and have also taught college courses and conducted training of various law enforcement agencies as well as prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges. In addition, I am currently teaching a course at ASU in the forensic science department on Testimony and Ethics in forensic science.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

NO! I absolutely love what I do, despite the uncertainly of being a consultant, I love getting to set my own schedule and pick what jobs I will or won’t do. As far as the field I chose, I’ve been a fan of forensic science since I was very young, way before the popularity of CSI and before most people knew what forensics even was (anyone remember Quincy, M.E. with Jack Klugman (1976-1983)? That’s what got me hooked!. While it may not be the most lucrative professional, I’ve always loved science and crime solving and can’t think of a better way to put the two together. Because of Quincy I originally wanted to be a forensic pathologist but life took me on a detour and I ended up going down the DNA path instead. Luckily, I still get to work with some amazing MEs and even co-wrote a book on Ethics in Forensic Science with a dear M.E. friend and colleague.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

As with any profession I would say it’s who you know (and how you leverage those relationships) but also integrity. There are so many horror stories in all professions, but especially in forensic science, of analysts gone rogue, who falsify data, fabricate reports and outright lie. When people’s lives are literally on the line based on your work, you can’t be anything but credible, honest and forthright. As a consultant, my integrity is my calling card. Yes, you have to have the knowledge, skills and ability to back up your opinion, but you also have to be believable and respected. Getting new client referrals is the best way I can think of to reinforce that I’m doing just that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.scilawforensics.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4n6diva1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4n6diva1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjali-ranadive-8500435/