Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Hardcore Forensic Junkie in Your Life

You don't even flinch anymore when you watch Jordan dissect a body. You can eat while Warrick looks through the runny contents of a body bag that has been in the hot Las Vegas sun for weeks. You're tough. If not you, perhaps it's a family member or friend who has developed innards of steel. For the top ten gift ideas for the hardcore forensic junkie in your life, take a moment to peruse the following list.

1. DVDs. These are an easy bet. CSI (seasons one through six), CSI Miami (seasons one through four), CSI NY (seasons one and two), NCIS (seasons one and two), and the first season of Bones are all available on DVD for one's viewing pleasure. The same bloody scenes can be watched over and over again for those who like to really get into their entertainment.

2. Books on forensics.
Death's Acre, by Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. This get down and dirty book tells all about the experiences on a real body farm. How do Grissom or Bug know so much about larvae have to say? How can Bones determine time of death based on one femur? This book will tell how the real pros work.

Patricia Cornwell on tape. This former police reporter and morgue worker, now bestselling author, can enlighten, entertain, and thoroughly freak your giftee out as he or she drives, relaxes, runs, wash dishes, or scopes out the neighborhood for hints of death and dismemberment. Most of Cornwell's books can be found in audio or downloadable.

3. An autographed picture of his or her favorite forensic hero. Is Sarah Sidle the favorite? Nick Stokes? Horatio? Greg Sanders? Catherine Willows? You can write to the publicity department for your show of choice and make the request. It could be too late to receive a photo by Christmas or Chanukah but you might get it by birthday time.

4. A hearse. You've seen the bumper sticker that says: "A friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a body." Now you can give the perfect gift on which to plaster that motto. If the outright purchase of a body mobile is more than your budget allows, maybe you can rent one for a day or ask your neighborhood funeral parlor if they would take you for a spin in theirs for a price.

5. Tuition for a forensics class. With the subject of forensics being so popular, many colleges are offering classes for aspiring CSIs and medical examiners. What better gift than picking up the cost of a class or two for the object of your gift giving.

6. Scrubs. This garb is all the rage for comfiness whether for hospital personnel or civilians. Scrubs are easy to find at most uniform stores or online. A variety of colors and designs are available for your choosing. Other accoutrements of the profession that might titillate and complete the ensembles are paper shoe covers, masks, and hair covers. Dressing up can be fun.

7. Ghoulish novelty items. Skeletons in the Closet, run by the L.A. County Coroner's Office offers office supplies, clothes, hats, beach towels, key chains and more. You can even find a body bag (actually a hanging clothes bag). Skeletons in the Closet has a physical address on "Pacific Ghost Highway" as well as an online store.

8. Bones. If you're giftee is only a little bit interested in carcasses, you can find tiny skeletons at DK Publishing in their science department. For a full size skeleton or other assorted body parts, assembled or not, a medical supply company might be able to assist.

9. A mini lab. The Discovery Channel offers a realistic though downsized lab for even the youngest up and coming forensics experts. This instructional and fun item comes complete with microscope, test tubes, case book, and more. Curious minds will be kept busy for hours with this gift.

10. A real autopsy. This is a delicate situation but in the right circumstances, and if you have connections, you may be able to get your giftee in to see a real live autopsy. Schools of medicines at many universities study cadavers for different reasons. Or the medical examiner or coroner in your area may have a policy for letting public view autopsies.