The only thing harder than breaking into forensic science is changing it.
What happens when two professionals take completely different paths into forensics and end up helping shape cutting-edge technology at a global company? You get a refreshingly candid conversation about the future of forensic science, the challenges of innovation, and the people driving change behind the scenes.
We sat down with Becca Nick and Walter Hiller from foster+freeman for a wide-ranging chat in our podcast Forensics Unfiltered. From career pivots to emerging tech to why conferences like FACTS25 are a big deal — we covered a lot. And now, we’re breaking it all down for you in this post.
Watch the full podcast episode above, then scroll down to dive deeper into the discussion!
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Unconventional Paths into Forensic Science Careers
Our guests, Becca Nick and Walter Hiller of foster+freeman, didn’t take the traditional path into the field. And that, it turns out, is part of their superpower.
Becca Nick — From Academia to Applied Innovation
Becca didn’t take the traditional route. She was pursuing a forensic science degree from West Virginia University and originally thought she’d work crime scenes or in a lab. But during an internship at ATF, she realized something important:
“I don’t want to do the same thing every day.”
So she made a bold pivot — into sales. Not just any sales job, though. She now serves as the Technical Sales Lead at foster+freeman USA, helping bridge the gap between the developers creating forensic tools and the professionals who use them.
Transitioning from college to forensic industry wasn’t without challenges:
- She had to build a completely new skill set.
- She stepped outside the typical career paths many of her peers were taking.
- And she had to learn how to build credibility as the expert — fast.
But what’s kept her going? The work still makes a difference. She might not be out in the field or in the lab herself, but she’s supporting those who are — and helping them solve cases faster and more effectively.
Walter Hiller — From Broadcasting to Forensic Tech Sales
Walter’s journey is anything but typical. He originally earned a degree in broadcasting from Montclair State University, thinking he’d work in radio — and fun fact: this podcast was actually his first one ever!
After realizing the broadcasting world didn’t pay the bills, he pivoted to working for a rental car company, followed by a stint in plastics sales. It wasn’t until 2006 that a chance (and slightly divine) encounter led him into forensics. A former colleague passed along his contact information, and despite his initial reluctance, Walter interviewed for a sales role at SPEX Forensics, a division of Horiba Scientific. He ended up landing the job and stayed there for nearly two decades.
From 2006 to 2024, Walter worked as a forensic instrument specialist, learning from physicists and practitioners alike. His knowledge and passion for the field grew with every agency visit and training session. Then in 2024, he got a call from Becca — who invited him to join foster+freeman.
“I was surprised. I wasn’t even looking for a job. But I said yes — and now I’m living the dream.”
Walter brings both humility and humor to his role, and he’s deeply driven by helping practitioners get the most out of their tools.
Advice for Career Pivots in Forensics
If you’re considering a shift into forensics — or a pivot within it — consider these takeaways:
- Leverage your adjacent skills (teaching, research, lab work)
- Start networking and talk to vendors or other practitioners outside of your agency
- Stay open to unconventional roles that blend science, communication, and technology
- Don’t wait for a job to be posted — reach out directly to companies like foster+freeman that align with your values
What’s Holding Back Innovation in Forensic Science?
The future of forensic science depends on innovation — but that doesn’t mean change is easy. We asked Becca and Walter what they see as the biggest barriers to progress.
1. Resistance to Change
Let’s be honest — this is a slow-moving field. And of course there are good reasons for that. Court admissibility standards, rigorous validation requirements, and limited budgets are real and valid reasons for the caution.
But still, resistance to change is still a major hurdle. Becca pointed out that it often takes a few bold agencies to take the first step in adopting new technology — and only then do others start to follow. It’s not that people don’t want innovation; they just want to know someone else has already proven it works.
2. Generational Differences
There’s a noticeable divide in how different generations approach forensic work — especially when it comes to adopting new technology.
Seasoned examiners often lean on decades of experience and proven methods. For them, “tried and true” means reliable, court-tested, and safe. They’ve seen technologies come and go — and not all of them lived up to the hype.
Meanwhile, newer practitioners tend to be more open to experimentation. They’re tech-savvy, fresh out of university programs that teach emerging tools, and often eager to find faster, more efficient ways to work. They don’t have decades of routine to unlearn — which makes them more comfortable embracing change.
But here’s the catch: progress can stall when these groups don’t talk to each other. Bridging that gap with mutual respect and open dialogue could be one of the most powerful ways to move the field forward.
3. Global Differences in Attitudes Toward Tech
Becca and Walter have worked with forensic agencies around the world — and their stories show just how varied the landscape really is.
Some countries are quick to adopt new tools, especially if they reduce backlogs or improve lab efficiency. Becca pointed to Canada as a great example: agencies there are often open to new technology, and that openness may stem from a consistency of practice across the country. When everyone’s following similar procedures, it’s easier to introduce change — and to see results.
Contrast that with the United States, where forensic labs operate more independently. Sure, there are national standards, but in practice, each agency tends to develop its own SOPs, workflows, and interpretations. That decentralized structure can make widespread innovation feel disjointed — and slow.
Bottom line? The global forensic community isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every region has its own culture, expectations, and tolerance for risk. But having these honest, unfiltered conversations — across generations, disciplines, and borders — is how real progress begins.
How Tech Companies Like foster+freeman Are Staying Ahead
When you work in forensic science, you don’t want tech for tech’s sake. You want tools that work — consistently, accurately, and without breaking your process.
That’s where foster+freeman stands out.
Listening to the Real-World Users
foster+freeman doesn’t just manufacture forensic tools — they design solutions with practitioner input baked in. Walter emphasized that their process starts with the people in the forensic field:
- What problem(s) are you trying to solve?
- What currently frustrates you?
- What would make your workflow faster, easier, or more accurate?
This kind of user-driven development is what leads to tools like the latest advancements in fingerprint and trace evidence detection — things you’ll hear more about at FACTS25.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
foster+freeman doesn’t wait for the field to demand something — they try to anticipate it.
Sometimes that means:
- Investing in Research & Development years before a tool becomes mainstream
- Collaborating with international agencies to test prototypes
- Iterating quickly based on real-world feedback
The goal? Build tools that solve problems before they become barriers.
Spotlight on FACTS25: The Forensic Training Event You Can’t Miss
Okay, let’s talk about FACTS25. If you’ve attended a forensic science conference before, you probably have an idea of what to expect — vendor tables, PowerPoint slides, maybe a few networking sessions.
But FACTS25? It’s different.
What Is FACTS25?
FACTS25 (Fingermark, ALS, and CSI Training Summit 2025) is hosted by foster+freeman and aims to do more than showcase tools — it’s about hands-on learning, real-world collaboration, and connecting practitioners across specialties.
Becca and Walter lit up when talking about it. And we get it — we’re getting excited because we’ll be there too!
Why You Should Attend:
Here’s what makes FACTS25 stand out:
- Hands-on demos with cutting-edge forensic technology
- Global experts sharing real-world casework and innovations
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration between several forensic disciplines
- Lunch and refreshments provided daily
- Dinner networking cruise included with your ticket
And yes — we’ll be teaching too! Make sure to check out our session “Ballin’ on a Budget” — a practical lecture focused on maximizing impact with limited forensic resources. You don’t need a million-dollar budget to deliver solid results.
Event Details:
Dates: November 4–6, 2025
Early Bird Tickets: $250 until August 1
Standard Tickets: $300 after August 1
🗓️ Mark your calendar and be sure to follow foster+freeman for announcements, dates, and registration info.
Don’t Miss This Free Resource — Especially If You Process Bloody Prints
If today’s episode got your gears turning, you have to check out the free webinar we recently hosted with Becca, “Enhancing Bloody Prints: A Blueprint for Chemical Selection and Documentation.”
Whether you missed the live session or want to revisit the strategies, you can now stream it on-demand — totally free.
This 1-hour power session is led by seasoned instructors from Gap Science, J13 Forensics, and foster+freeman, where we walk you through:
✅ Understanding how blood composition affects enhancement
✅ Choosing the right chemical based on surface, contrast, and safety
✅ Preparing evidence for clear documentation under visible and ALS lighting
Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek at our brand-new field-ready mini-course bundle and visual quick-reference flowcharts—designed to take the guesswork out of blood enhancement processing.
Watch the Full Conversation — It’s Even Better Unfiltered!
And of course — if you haven’t watched this episode of Forensics Unfiltered, scroll up and go hit play. There’s something powerful about hearing these stories in the guests’ own words.
You’ll walk away with:
- A clearer picture of where forensic science is headed
- A few good laughs
- And maybe even inspiration to rethink your own forensic journey
🎧 Subscribe or follow Forensics Unfiltered wherever you get your podcats! We’ve got more episodes coming soon with guests who are shaking things up and challenging the status quo in this field.
