WATCH: Killing Fields on Discovery Channel (Q&A with Detective Lori Morgan)

I have been hooked on Discovery Channel’s new series Killing Fields since the first episode aired on January 5. True crime fans, you have got to see this show. You’ll get pulled into watching this active homicide investigation taking place in REAL TIME.

Did you watch Making a Murderer? Do you listen to Serial podcast? Me too! So add Killing Fields to your list. The show is unscripted and the storyline is compelling. I can’t wait for the next episode to air.

Bayou Landscape, Courtesy Discovery

Killing Fields follows detectives as they investigate a homicide case that went cold nearly twenty years ago. Louisiana State University graduate student Eugenie Boisfontaine was last seen near LSU’s lakes. Two months later, her body was found nearby in a watery ditch with evidence of blunt force trauma to her head. Detective Rodie Sanchez was originally assigned the case. He came out of retirement to make good on his promise to Eugenie’s mother to catch the killer.

Since 1997, many advancements have been made in forensic science and DNA analysis. DNA evidence could be the key to unlocking the mystery of Eugenie’s killer once and for all.

Detective Lori Morgan is the Lead DNA Expert on Eugenie’s case. She is not your average detective! Lori Morgan is a stay-at-home mom turned forensic expert! She manages her job and her family with a positive, can-do approach to life. Discovery Channel let me share her answers to a few questions from a recent Q&A session.

Detective Lori Morgan, Courtesy Discovery

Q. What drew you to the field of Forensics?

Lori: I was always interested in the field of Forensics – even before I even knew what it was. When growing up, my brother and I would read stories about crimes and serial killers. While most kids shy away from that kind of stuff, or be a little afraid, that wasn’t in our case. But interestingly enough, even though I was so interested in that as a kid, I didn’t go into this business when I first went to college.

Q. Was it hard making a career switch later on in life?

Lori: The challenge was finding a degree program that would work into my life with my family. I never wanted to take away too much time with them to study or be in class. The hardest part about studying was that I usually had to study late at night, after my children went to bed. Some nights I was so tired that I would just have to throw in the towel and wake up super early to study. I also tried to get as much studying done while my kids were at school.

Q. What is it like to have a full-time job as detective and a busy family life at home?

Lori: My days are packed — working full time and then going home to try and have quality time with my three teenagers and a husband. That in and of itself is a big challenge.

Q. Are your kids interested in following in your career footsteps?

Lori: So far, no. None of my children have expressed an interest in Forensics. They see how much I love my career but they also see the late nights and long hours that doesn’t have very much monetary compensation. I tell my children that their career choice should be something they have passion for because the money aspect of it will only keep them happy for a limited time.

Q. Was it strange to have a TV crew following you around in your daily routines?

Lori: When we first began the project, I don’t think any of us realized the magnitude of it all. In the beginning, it was strange but now we’ve all gotten used to the crew. And we’re actually going to miss them when they leave.

Q. Is working as a DNA detective just like CSI, True Detective or those other shows on TV?

Lori: Not exactly. We don’t always get that perfect DNA profile to give a lead that will end up with an arrest or a suspect. There aren’t machines yet that draw up this beautiful fingerprint every time. A lot of times we have to deal with very small partial fingerprints that yield nothing, and the same goes with DNA. It’s only a 50-50 shot that you’re going to get that DNA profile, and then when you do get it, that person has to be in the national database system for you to even get a coded hit.

Q. Anything else you’d like to add?

Lori: The mystery deepens each week and the clues keep coming in. Be sure to watch Tuesdays at 10 PM on the Discovery Channel.

You can see Episode 4 of Killing Fields on Discovery Channel January 26. Watch past episodes on demand and online and Discovery.com