For Kathy Davis, body fluids are her life.

Davis, a forensic scientist for the Joliet Forensic Science Laboratory, led a discussion about clinical laboratory sciences Monday night in the Holmes Student Center’s Heritage Room.

The program was coordinated by Dianne M. Cearlock, program director and professor for the clinical laboratory sciences program. She invited two Illinois State Police forensic scientists, who also are NIU alumni, to speak to students about the field of forensics. As well as attending lectures and classes, Cearlock encourages students to call state laboratories for tours.

Davis began with a presentation of the various tasks involved with forensic investigating.

The many topics she explained were the polygraph, biology, DNA analysis and comparison, drug chemistry, toxicology, trace chemistry (comparison of materials based on their chemical properties and composition), microscopy (hair and fiber analysis) and latent prints (fingerprinting).

DNA analysis is becoming more popular, Davis said. This area consists of looking at muscle, tooth pulp, saliva, semen, urine, bone and hair.

Davis also described the many ways DNA can be tested, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method copies DNA until it reaches a detectable level.

Dr. Kary Mullis hatched the idea of PCR testing as he was driving to California. He won the Nobel Prize in 1993 for his discovery.

Other aspects of forensic testing include looking at evidence other than human. Nothing is off limits & doors, living room furniture and pots and pans have been brought into the lab for evidence.

“Whatever’s relevant, we will work on,” Davis said.

Forensic biology also is an area of increasing importance. Seventy percent of biology cases are related to a sexual assault.

William Demuth, a forensic scientist for the Forensic Science Center in Chicago, spoke on firearms and toolmarks, an area of research that determines whether a toolmark on a firearm was produced by a particular tool. This department deals with semi-automatic and revolver handguns and longarms, such as rifles and shotguns.

Demuth explained how guns work and how serial numbers can be restored after they have been removed from a firearm. Out of the 12 to 15,000 firearms this department receives a year, about 10 percent of the serial numbers are “obliterated,” Demuth said.

Many departments in clinical laboratory sciences are hiring, such as firearms and toolmarks, forensic biology, drug chemistry, microscopy and latent prints.

“A lot of training positions are slated for Chicago,” Davis said. Chicago is one of the eight forensic laboratories in Illinois.

After one year of testing, a student becomes a level one forensic scientist. After two years, they become a level two and after another two years, a level three. A career in clinical laboratory testing offers flexible schedules and a maximum of 37.5 hours a week.

Illinois State Police is looking to fill about 30 positions in various labs throughout the state. Interviews will be held in March and April and offers will be made in June. Dates and locations for testing will be mailed. Applicants graduating in May need to apply after Dec. 1. Students graduating after May have extended deadlines.