CSI in Real Life: Inside Forensics at OCSO

In this episode of Behind the Star, we visit with Crime
Scene Investigator Mikayla Overholtzer and
Forensic Firearms Specialist Marriah Herro to
uncover what forensics work really looks like at the Orange
County Sheriff’s Office.


Mikayla and Marriah break down how they got into the field, what
it’s like to work in their unit and how forensics plays a key
role in solving everything from shootings to suspicious deaths.
Marriah shares how firearms are test-fired, linked to crimes
using NIBIN, and even restored when serial numbers are destroyed.
Mikayla walks us through her process at crime scenes, including
the tough emotional side of the job and how the team supports one
another.


You’ll hear wild stories from the field and find out why some
scenes smell worse than others. The episode also includes fun
rapid-fire questions and heartfelt moments about what drives them
to do this work and what they’re most proud of.


0:24 – TV vs. Reality: How shows shape public
perception of forensics
2:16 – How Mikayla and Marriah got into the
field
3:42 – Overview of the Forensics Unit and roles;
why so many women in CSI
5:07 – Types of crime scenes OCSO responds
to
8:08 – Marriah breaks down firearms forensics
and NIBIN
11:47 – Role of forensic biologists and
fingerprint analysts
14:00 – Fun questions: weirdest crime scene
finds, unexpected parts of the job
16:18 – Impact of regularly seeing death and
trauma as a CSI
19:56 – Mikayla’s scene-processing
workflow
23:16 – Memorable moments and stories from the
field
30:37 – How friends and family react to their
careers
31:57 – Eureka moments, staying updated on case
outcomes, proudest moments
37:24 – Testifying in court, mentoring others,
advice for aspiring forensic professionals
43:57 – The unit’s family dynamic and trauma
bonding
46:28 – Rapid-fire fun: worst smells, weirdest
evidence, most “Florida” things
49:23 – Marriah on oddball guns and a
test-firing mishap