With Thanksgiving now firmly in our rearview, the gift-giving holiday season is upon us! If you have a forensic scientist, science-lover or even budding scientist on your list this year, check out the top 10 gifts on this year’s Forensic Holiday Gift Guide. But get a move on—express shipping is expensive!
1. Circuit Board DNA Ornament
Ring in holiday cheer with geeky style! This art is made entirely from recycled circuit boards cut to shape. Since each one is made from electronic waste parts, it will contain different elements and parts based on the company’s current availability. The DNA ornament is 3 inches tall, and arrives in a gift box,
Price: $18 for one; $49 for set of three
2. Evidence Bag Luggage Tag
You or your loved one will never lose your bag again with this custom bag identification designed to look like an evidence tag. Suited for every trip, this tag is especially perfect for forensic science professionals who attend conferences or meetings regularly.
Price: $19.99
3. DNA Doe Project Backpack
Over the past five years, the DNA Doe Project has done incredible work identifying Jane and John Does through advanced genetic genealogy techniques. As of Nov. 27, DNA Doe Project has helped identify 71 Does, has 71 active cases, and 21 pending cases. The non-profit relies on donations for test costs and volunteers from the genetic genealogy community to give Does back their names. A portion of the proceeds from a backpack at the DDP store—or any other gift—goes toward funding the test costs of Does.
Price: $33.25
4. Othram Holiday Sweatshirt
Similarly, Othram’s DNASolves is dedicated to using their expertise to aid human identification investigations. DNASolves combines crowdfunding, volunteered data, cutting-edge genomics and investigative genetic genealogy to solve “unsolvable” cases. Currently, there are seven cases in need of more funding on DNASolves.com. The net proceeds for every purchase from Othram’s store are used to fund DNASolves cases.
Price: $60.00
5. Patent Art Prints
This set of six patent prints is perfect for anyone in the forensic sciences. The patent prints include: handgun by Smith and Wesson; bullet by L.B. Taylor; reading glass by O. Hupp, single fingerprint identification system by Walter Crosskey; microscope with special light modifiers by Harold Osterberg; and DNA-RNA teaching aid by Kenneth Baker. You can choose between six different colors for the background of the prints, as well as six different sizes.
Price: $41.00+
6. “Scene to Scientist: A Visual Introduction to Forensic Science” Paperback
“Scene to Scientist” is an introduction to forensic science for kids of all ages—in particular, older elementary school kids to those early in their high school careers. It provides an introduction to how evidence is collected, analyzed, and interpreted—from being collected at the scene to being processed by scientists at the forensic laboratory. Written by University of New Haven alum and current Bode DNA technologist Morgan Korzik, the book combines his passion for education, writing, drawing and, of course, forensic science. If you have the book in mind for a youngster, don’t worry, it includes only G-rated explanations of crime scenes and other forensic science disciplines.
Price: $7.99
7. Fingerprint Wine and Beer Glass
If you have a latent print examiner on your list (or you are one yourself), this is the gift! The seller offers two options—a stemless wine glass and a pint glass typically used for beer, although both could be used for pretty much any beverage. The glasses are made with premium etching material and are even dishwasher safe. Additionally, all 27 reviews of the product are 5-stars, and the seller herself is also considered a “Star Seller” by Etsy.
Price: $15.00
8. Reusable Blood Spatter Straw
You may want to consider these novelty straws to go with that fingerprint glass. This reusable blood spatter star is sure to add uh, character to whatever you are drinking this holiday season. Each straw is 10 inches long with a stopper at one end. They are BPA free and food-grade high-quality plastic. Hand wash only.
Price: $3.00
9. DNA Scarf
Printed with an all-over design featuring strands of DNA and genetics models, this deep blue scarf is made in earth-friendly lightweight cotton. You can wear it around your neck, over your shoulders as a wrap, as a shayla headscarf, or as a beach sarong. The manufacturer, Cognitive Surplus, is one of my absolute favorite retailers of science gifts. If you still haven’t found the right gift from this list, head over to Cognitive Surplus and I bet you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. Their notebooks are super highly rated!
Price: $49.95
10. Forensic Christmas Tree Sweatshirt
This sweatshirt is perfect to wear to the lab, the office, the classroom or even the holiday party (if it’s casual). The design features a Christmas tree with “ornaments” familiar to any forensic professional—crime scene tape, test tubes, magnifying glasses and fingerprint dusting brushes. Rather than the traditional star or angel, the tree topper is a camera. Lastly, the “presents” are evidence storage boxes. The sweatshirt is available in small to 3XL in three different color options.
Price: $36.99