About

 

Welcome to Flowers & Forensics!

This site is dedicated to providing you accurate, helpful information about what really goes on in a crime lab (forensics) and useful writing and editing tips (flowers).

My name is Melissa Kreikemeier, and I’m a former forensic scientist who is very excited to help you understand how forensic science works so you can write a great book that readers will love. I can tell you when it’s okay to suspend reality in your story, how crime labs work, and what all those scientific and technical terms mean.

As a science educator, I explain all this information to you in a clear, easy-to-understand way through blog posts and tutorial videos. I believe teaching is something I was born to do. After leaving forensics, I spent 3 years teaching science to international students in China and the Marshall Islands. Helping a student finally understand a challenging concept is the ultimate reward (and it makes me feel all warm and squishy inside).

As a professional editor and proofreader specializing in scientific content and crime fiction, I can also help you polish your book to get it ready for publication. Maybe you need a copyedit to help smooth out your phrasing and check for consistency, or you struggle with grammar and punctuation. I will use my love of words and professional editing training to get your manuscript into the best shape possible.

My Editing Background

  • Portfolio includes fiction novels, blog posts, essays, science education materials, and over 1000 scientific documents
  • Extensive in-house copyediting and academic editing training
  • Additional editing training includes Medical Editing and Editing for Fiction courses from the Society for Editors and Proofreaders and Copyediting 1, 2, and 3 from mediabistro
  • Style guides: Chicago Manual of Style and American Medical Association

My Forensic Science Background

  • Masters in Forensics Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center (2007)
  • Bachelors in Biology, Ripon College (2003)
  • 7 years as a forensic DNA analyst at a state crime laboratory from 2007 to 2014
  • Certified Fellow in Molecular Biology by the American Board of Criminalistics from 2009 to 2014
  • Member of county SANE/SART committee and external forensic science advisory board for local university from 2010 to 2014
  • Conducted a touch DNA research study and nationwide touch DNA laboratory policy survey
  • Developed curriculum for statewide re-education effort regarding new laboratory submission policies
  • Trained members of law enforcement, attorneys, and nurses in the proper collection and submission of biological evidence

For a more detailed description of my forensic background, please connect with me on LinkedIn.

If you’re in need of my services, please contact me today so we can discuss your project and how I can help you.

Be sure to follow me on social media and sign up for my email list for notifications of new blog content and forensic science resources!

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