Forensic Science and CSI

Forensic Science/CSI Career Overview

Forensic science uses science to aid in law enforcement, and in this pursuit forensic scientists work to give impartial, unbiased scientific evidence which can be used in courts and criminal investigations. Forensic science is very multidisciplinary, as it uses information acquired from a wide variety of fields and disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, geology and the social sciences. In recent years, shows like CSI and Law and Order have popularized both the field and the profession, and have served to increase the number of students pursuing forensic science degrees.

Forensic scientists are concerned with collecting evidence, and they use the evidence found at places like crime scenes to help solve crimes. Forensic scientists play a very important role in any investigative team, and they rely upon their extensive training and education to help ensure the accuracy of all the evidence collected. Communication skills are very important, as are analytical and computer skills. Details are something forensic scientists must be very concerned with, due to the fact that everything a forensic scientist does is extremely detail oriented – they must be able to identify and properly process tiny pieces of evidence such as a single piece of hair or one fingerprint. A short sample of a forensic scientist’s duties are:

• Collecting evidence at the scene of a crime
• Performing tests on evidence
• Preparing reports documenting findings and giving them to investigators
• Giving testimony as an expert witness in court cases

Forensic science is a broad field that encompasses many different careers and specializations, some of which include:

• DNA forensics
• Forensics engineering
• Forensics dentistry
• Forensic Anthropology
• Medical Examiner
• Crime Scene Examiner
• Handwriting Expert
• Ballistics Expert

Many forensic scientists work in labs, but some field agents do need to travel to crime scenes or to courtrooms. Long hours are not uncommon in this field, especially if evidence has to be collected and analyzed quickly for an important court case. Processing and analyzing evidence is a very meticulous, detail-oriented and time sensitive matter, so weekend work is not uncommon during particularly busy periods. Additionally, while some forensics scientists work full-time, others may work in different occupations and may be called in for forensic consulting work. Some work in forensics full time while others may work in other occupations and occasionally be called in to consult on forensics work.

Forensic Science/CSI Training & Education

The minimum level of education required for anyone looking for a job in forensics science is a Bachelor’s Degree in a science related field, or a degree in forensic science. Some schools offer Associate’s Degrees in Forensic Science, but job prospects are better for those who have at least a four-year degree. Students may do well to receive their degree in a hard science such as Chemistry rather than forensic science as it is more versatile, and doing so will allow the student to work in both forensics as well as another chemistry-related field. Typical courses in a forensic science program are criminology, pathology, jurisprudence, investigation, odontology, toxicology, and forensic accounting.

Technology is heavily used in forensic science, and students will be exposed to technologies and programs which are specific to the field. Students will have to adapt to new technologies as they develop and be willing to constantly learn about new, improved methods of conducting their investigations.

Some specialties in forensic science, such as forensic pathology and forensic dentistry, require advanced degrees in medicine. Forensic engineering requires a degree in engineering. While other specialties may not require advanced degrees, a job candidate who has received a Masters Degree or PhD will be highly sought after. Internships and related coursework will help new college graduates to land their first job.

Forensic Science/CSI Career & Salary Outlook

Crimes are always occurring somewhere, and forensic science careers are regarded as being very stable and quickly growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, forensic science careers are expected to grow at a much faster rate than average through 2014.

Salaries vary based on the types of skills involved. According to the BLS, median wages for forensic scientists are $45, 330. The bottom 10% of employees earn around $27,0000 while the top 10% earn over $73,000.

Those with advanced degrees, such as forensic dentists, forensic pathologists, and forensic engineers have the capability to earn much more than $100,000 per year. It is expected that as forensic science becomes more popular as a field, the competition for good jobs will increase as more applicant’s enter the hiring pools.

Career Fields/Specializations

Forensic Science Tech Career

Forensic science techs work in crime labs to analyze the evidence collected from crime scenes. They may look at things such as hair, fibers, or weapons. They determine whether the evidence collected is important for the investigation. Forensic science technicians may need to write reports and appear in court to give testimony.

Forensic science techs should have a background in science and good problem solving skills. They should be comfortable working with a small group of people. They often do not need to interact with the general public.

Crime Laboratory Analyst Career

Crime laboratory analysts use their highly specialized scientific skills to examine the evidence that has been collected for a crime. They perform the experiments necessary to link evidence to a suspect and discover what really happened in a crime. They often have more specialized training than forensic science technicians.

Crime laboratory analysts should be detail oriented and have a background in science. Special training with scientific equipment will help those interested to get ahead. The work is occasionally repetitive, so those who wish to be crime laboratory analysts should like routines.

Forensic Pathologist Career

Forensic pathologists are medical doctors who perform autopsies on crime victims to determine the cause of death. They write reports that list the “manner of death” (including homicide, natural causes, accident, and undetermined). They are frequently called upon to testify in court cases.

Those who wish to be forensic pathologists must become medical doctors. They should have a keen eye for detail to allow them to determine the cause of death. It is not always the obvious answer. They also should be comfortable working with dead bodies.

Forensic Toxicologist Career

Forensic toxicologists analyze the bodily fluids of a deceased person to determine the presence of drugs, chemicals, or poisons. This can help to identify the cause of death. Additionally, forensic toxicologists also frequently examine the contents of the stomach in order to make qualitative statements regarding what the deceased person last ate and if there were any abnormalities.

Forensic toxicologists should have a background in chemistry. They should be very detail-oriented as the levels of chemicals found in a body may be quite small.

DNA Analyst Career

DNA analysts help to link potential DNA evidence to crime suspects. DNA can be found in blood, hair, or skin that’s been left at the scene of the crime. This evidence is carefully collected and then analyzed. DNA evidence is increasingly important in convicting suspects of their crimes. Conversely, DNA evidence has also helped to exonerate formerly convicted suspects who were innocent.

DNA analysts should have a background in science with specialized training in DNA research. They should be detail-oriented and comfortable working with lab equipment. DNA analysts should like routines as the research work that they perform may be somewhat repetitive.

Forensic Dentistry Career

Those who work in forensic dentistry help to identify remains using teeth and ante-mortem (before-death) dental photographs. They are often called upon in cases where the identity of the dead person is unknown, particularly in cases of mass deaths.

Forensic Engineer Career

Forensic engineers look at structures, materials, and products that fail to help to determine “what went wrong”, primarily in accident cases. They analyze witness testimony as well as objects to determine how a particular product caused an accident. They will then make suggestions as to how the product should be improved upon.

Forensic engineers are scientists who are interested in how things work. They should be able to look at things and find ways to improve them so that accidents don’t happen again. This requires an engineering degree.