With Thanksgiving now firmly in our rearview, the gift-giving holiday season is upon us! If you have a scientist, forensic-lover or even budding scientist on your list this year, check out the top 10 gifts on Forensic’s Holiday Gift Guide. But get a move on—express shipping is expensive!
1. Fingerprint Throw Pillow
This pillow, available in various sizes up to 26” x 26”, is made from a real crime scene photo. While forensic professionals don’t usually like to take their work home with them, this could be a really neat statement piece for those in the forensic field.
Price: $26.00
2. DNA Earrings
Does your scientist wear their love on their…ears? If not, perhaps they would like to! Let her/him do just that with these earrings. Multiple designs are available, including: DNA helix, microscope, atoms, atom diagram, molecule diagram and lab beaker. There’s even a clip-on version for anyone allergic to earrings or simply without a hole in their earlobe.
Price: $12.99 to $18.99 depending on design
3. Genetics + DNA Notebook from Cognitive Surplus
Cognitive Surplus, based in Portland, is a unique company that understands how hard science can be sometimes. “We appreciate that it isn't always glamorous and that breakthroughs are a lot harder than in the movies. We know how it feels to basically never feel like a superhero, especially when it seems like the answers are anywhere but in your data. We also know that for every failed experiment, late-night, and cold cup of coffee, you're helping light the way toward progress, and it's because of you that each day is a little brighter than the day before,” read their About Us page. While that alone may be enough to sway you, add in the beautiful notebooks they sell. This one features genetic and DNA illustrations on the front cover.
Price: $11.95
4. Crime Scene Lunch Bundle
If you are having trouble with co-workers stealing your lunch, you might want to employ these crime scene sandwich bags and evidence bags to safeguard your ham sandwich. If anything, it will at least give you and your colleagues a good laugh. The Lunch Bundle comes with 10 crime scene sandwich bags, 10 quarantine sandwich bags and 10 small brown paper evidence bags.
Price: $9.50
5. Science Bookends
These bookends feature a variety of scientific imagery: test tube rack, microscope, DNA helix, a rocket and an atom. One of the reviews from last year says the metal bookends are perfect for holding up medical and scientific textbooks. “They’re so heavy that only this metal bookend helps,” the review reads.
Price: $39.90
6. Latent Print Coffee Mug
Perfect fort the latest print examiner in your life, this coffee mug comes in six different colors to suit everyone’s style. The mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and are made to fit under most one-cup coffee machines, such as Keurig.
Price: $17.99
7. Criminologist Designer Tote Bag
This designer criminology tote bag features whimsical illustrations of footprints, handprints, evidence bags, PPE, crime scene markers, latent print brushes and more. At 29.5 x 45 cm, the tote bag is perfect for lugging essentials to and from the office or field. With over 200 designs, Selina-Jayne PhD is one of the most sought-after British designers in the fashion industry. The bag comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Selina-Jayne with a limited edition number.
Price: $27.30
8. Anatomically Correct Tube Socks
This is a gift Temperance Brennan would approve of. In an episode of “Bones,” forensic pathologist Brennan tries to come up with a song to teach her young daughter the correct names for the bones in the body—rather than the “foot bone is connected to the leg bone.” Please the forensic archeologist or pathologist in your life with these anatomically correct foot warmers.
Price: $19.97
9. Great Women of Science and Great Beards of Science Pint Glasses
Giving glasses as a gift may be tired, however, these glasses are anything but. The Great Woman of Science glasses feature portraits of some of the most influential female scientists to ever walk the earth. Have fun toasting to the abolishment of the Matilda Effect with these! On the other hand, drink out of the Great Beards of Science glasses and perhaps the beer foam will give you a mustache to rival Einstein’s.
Price: 18.00 for a set of two; $36 for two of each
10. Never Suck A Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI Book
True crime junkies and forensic professionals alike are sure to enjoy the witty way Dana Kollmann, former CSI with the Baltimore County Police Department, shares her experiences of what it’s really like behind the yellow tape. The title of the book refers to a specific story the author references: the day a dead man's hand ended up in her mouth—just one of the many life experiences of a CSI!
Price: $18.64
Happy shopping! And happy holidays from Forensic!