[No. 105] Masataka Murahashi

I currently work at the Criminal Investigation Laboratory. This might be an unfamiliar workplace, but perhaps you've heard of the TV drama "Kasoken no Onna" (Woman of the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory). It is one of the organizations within the prefectural police departments. From heinous crimes that make national news to minor criminal cases that don't even appear in the newspapers, we strive daily to uncover the truth behind all kinds of crimes from the standpoint of forensic science. This work requires a wide range of experience and resolve, but I believe I wouldn't be who I am today without my experiences at Keio University. It is presumptuous of me, having graduated only a year ago, to be writing for a publication like this, but I would like to share some fresh memories of my student life and my thoughts on my current work.

For me, who had no clear vision of my future and only a vague interest in biology and chemistry, the "Gakumon" system of the Faculty of Science and Technology was very useful. I took many detours, listening to professors and students interested in different fields, and each time I was inspired, I would peek into a world I didn't know. However, thanks to those experiences, I was able to reaffirm that the path I wanted to take was indeed in the biological and chemical fields, and I decided to apply to the Department of Applied Chemistry. Even after entering the Department of Applied Chemistry, there were exciting classes. My favorite was an omnibus-style course that invited professors active in various fields. For example, in the lectures by Professor Hideyuki Okano of the School of Medicine, I was thrilled every week by the cutting-edge research showing that the regeneration of the central nervous system, once thought impossible, could be achieved using iPS cells. Professor Ken Mogi, on the other hand, made me painfully aware of my own lack of creativity. Additionally, in the six weekly student lab sessions, we tackled experimental themes from various fields, allowing us to thoroughly learn the fundamentals of experimentation. It was also a valuable opportunity to speak informally with the professors of the Department of Applied Chemistry, which helped me choose a laboratory smoothly. I have heard that in research, it is not uncommon for different perspectives and ideas to lead to new results, and I felt that the environment at Keio University was perfectly designed to foster this.

You may sometimes see students in "gakuran" (school uniforms) walking around campus. I was also a member of the Athletic Association's Kyujutsu (Japanese archery) Club. We practiced six times a week, the hierarchy was strict, and our seniors trained us rigorously. It goes without saying that this built up my physical stamina, but I also think that the "taiikukai-kei" (athletic club) spirit—of psyching yourself up during tough times or crucial moments, and sometimes putting your body on the line to liven things up—is important for creating a sense of rhythm and focus in life. The Athletic Association also values its connections with alumni, and the opportunities I had as a student to communicate with people from a wide range of generations who are active in various sectors of society have been very helpful in my current job. In the Athletic Association, everyone shared the goal of "winning," and the joy of overcoming difficulties, fighting together, and achieving victory was exceptional.

From the moment I decided to major in the Department of Applied Chemistry, I had my heart set on the Umezawa-Shimizu Laboratory (Biochemistry Laboratory), the only biology-focused lab in the department. The trigger was visiting their clean room for handling cancer cells and thinking, "This looks interesting!" It was a laboratory that aimed to find novel natural compounds with new functions from sources like microbial secondary metabolites and plants, and to apply these compounds to medicine. I chose the research theme "Search for the Target Molecules of Immunosuppressive Substances." If successful, this could lead to the development of new drugs. Even small results were each a world-first discovery, and there were times I was so anxious to see the outcome that I stayed in the lab until morning. I still vividly remember when, after much trial and error, we finally got the expected results, and Professor Shimizu opened a bottle of champagne he had hidden in the refrigerator to celebrate with me.

In the lab, we also had the task of regularly reading papers, summarizing the key points to present to everyone, and asking questions of the presenters. Listening critically to others' presentations is surprisingly important. If you don't understand something, you ask. If questions remain, you study more. Thanks to this cumulative process, I developed the habit of arming myself with theory from the research stage for my own academic presentations, and I believe I also acquired presentation skills. They taught me the mindset for and the fun of doing research.

The Criminal Investigation Laboratory has five teams: "Forensic Medicine," "Chemistry," "Physics," "Document Examination," and "Psychology." In the Forensic Medicine Section where I belong, we are involved in criminal investigations from a scientific standpoint, performing "blood type analysis" and "DNA analysis" on blood and bodily fluids left at crime scenes, "facial image analysis" of suspects captured on security cameras, and "skeletal remains analysis," among other tasks. In university, I challenged myself in everything without fear of making mistakes, but now, I am required to make careful judgments to ensure there are absolutely no errors in analysis. I am reminded daily of the immense weight of this responsibility. On the other hand, our analysis reports hold significant value as objective evidence for uncovering the truth of a case and sustaining prosecutions. It is a very rewarding job where I can feel that I am protecting the safety of the prefecture's residents. In addition to analysis work, there are opportunities to present research findings at academic conferences and to obtain a doctoral degree, so continuous effort to deepen research and improve skills and knowledge is essential. Another characteristic of the police organization is that there are always tests of some kind. At a training session for new recruits from Criminal Investigation Laboratories across the country, I was able to win an award for academic excellence. I want to continue to expand my own potential.

The six years I spent at Keio University, where I met many respectable people, learned from them, and was inspired by them, were an irreplaceable time and a great asset to me. While it is important to immerse yourself in your specialized field, I encourage you to keep your antennas up and broaden the scope of your interests. Keio University has the environment and the network of people to satisfy your vigorous intellectual curiosity.