“In the fifth grade, I went to a forensic science camp. That’s what inspired me to want to become a medical examiner.
“I know it’s going to take a really strong stomach. It’s also going to take a lot of compassion and a lot of heart. There will be cases that will be harder than others, especially when you’re dealing with a child who passes away. It’s going to require a strong mind and a strong heart, and I think I have that.
“It comes from my father. He really shaped me and molded me to be a little bit tougher. My grandmother and my mother, too; they all instilled in me this toughness that they have. They’re all such strong people. I think those influences are going to be important for me in the future, no matter what challenges I face.”
— Lorina Semien