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Find a College offering a Forensic Science Degree in your state using our interactive map.
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The Forensics field is one that offers a broad array of opportunities. From medical and crime scene examination, to forensic engineering and crime laboratory analysis, the field calls for a variety of skills in this compelling career path.
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ADRIENNE BRUNDAGE is a PhD student and lecturer at Texas A&M University. She completed her B.S. in 1999 in Plant Protection Sciences at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a double minor in music and theater. She completed her Master’s in 2007 in Entomology at San Jose State University, where she studied forensic entomology. Apart from over ten years in academia, Adrienne has worked on dozens of cases as an entomological investigator.
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Working in a forensic science laboratory requires a bachelors of science or a masters of science degree in a forensic or natural science. This means the prospective student will have to take biology, chemistry (including organic chemistry), physics, math (at least through calculus), and advanced science courses as well as forensic science courses. If that sounds like a lot of studying, it is.
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Crime lab analysts (as the name suggests) work primarily in crime laboratories, analyzing evidence. They perform scientific examinations of blood, drugs, firearms, and toxicological samples. Crime lab analysts also assist in autopsies. They collect drugs or poisons from blood and other body fluids, and they prepare blood alcohol proficiency samples. After collecting and analyzing samples, analysts report their findings to the appropriate law enforcement personnel. Typically, analysts work 40 hours per week in the crime lab, tacking on overtime as needed. When they are not in the lab, analysts might be found testifying on their findings or possible assisting other law enforcement officials in the field.
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Crime scene examiners are referred to as many things, including criminalistics officers, evidence technicians, and forensic investigators. The most common title for an examiner is crime scene investigator, made famous by the popular CSI television franchise. Crime scene examiners secure crime scenes and are responsible for collecting evidence, including fingerprints, footprints, and trace fibers (e.g. hair and clothing materials), bullets, and shell casings. The evidence collected at a crime scene is transferred to a lab, where it's analyzed by other forensic professionals. In addition to collecting the evidence, crime scene examiners document their findings and write reports about the crime scene and the evidence collected. Some crime scene examiners serve as expert witnesses or testify about evidence during a trial.
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A criminalist aids in the collection, preservation and interpretation of evidence found at a crime scene. Criminalists use physical evidence, such as footprints, blood stains, fingerprints, or clothing, to help reconstruct the crime scene. They are trained in the field of criminalistics, which employs the natural sciences to analyze and interpret forensic evidence. Specialty areas within criminalistics include trace evidence (such as hairs and fibers or paints and polymers), fire debris analysis, molecular biology, and drug chemistry.
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Forensic anthropologists are integral to a variety of forensic investigations. Because of their expertise in analyzing human remains, forensic anthropologists are often called upon to assist in identifying human remains following mass disasters, such as earthquakes or tsunamis. They are also called on to lend a hand in recovering evidence at a crime scene, where their knowledge of mapping techniques and excavation can be very useful.
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Forensic biologists analyze bodily fluids, blood, hair, insects, and plant and animal remains that are recovered from a crime scene. Evidence found on weapons, clothing, and other surfaces is obtained and analyzed by forensic biologists using a variety of chemical, enzymatic, and microscopic analysis techniques. The information a forensic biologist collects can help reconstruct a crime, or investigate public health threats or environmental contamination.
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Forensic biotechnology is the application of biotechnology to the legal system. Typically, forensic biotechnology is associated with DNA fingerprinting. By identifying DNA salvaged from a crime scene (e.g. tissues, hair, blood, etc.), a forensic biotechnologist can place a suspect at the scene of the crime or identify an unknown individual. A less well-known application of forensic biotechnology is its use to identify and monitor non-human organisms, such as endangered species, through DNA fingerprinting.
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A forensic chemist identifies and analyses physical evidence gathered from crime scenes. Many different substances can be considered evidence, such as hair, blood, and glass. Forensic chemists can specialize in trace evidence, DNA analysis, or toxicology.
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Forensic computer examiners are trained to search computers and digital storage media for legal evidence. They are skilled at analyzing, authenticating, and reconstructing digital media and data. On a day-to-day basis, a forensic computer examiner may recover deleted e-mails, recover deleted or encrypted data, and uncover passwords. The data retrieved from these sources (e.g. personal computers or zip drives) is often used as evidence in a court case. This information may also be used to help law enforcement with their ongoing investigations and cases.
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As the name suggests, forensic document examiners are trained to examine documents—typically contracts, wills, deeds, medical records, checks, loan agreements, or letters—and uncover possible legal evidence. These professionals perform a variety of detail-oriented duties, including analyzing and comparing handwriting samples, and examining photo copies, inks, and papers in order to determine their authenticity and detect possible forgery.
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A forensic pathologist, also known as a medical examiner, is a trained physician who examines and ultimately determines the cause of death for people who have died unexpectedly, suddenly, or by violent means. To do this, a forensic pathologist reviews the medical history of the deceased individual, looks for clues at the crime scene, performs the autopsy, and gathers any evidence found on the body. After completing this process, the forensic pathologist writes a report on his or her findings and may appear in court to testify about those findings.
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Lawyers and law enforcement professionals utilize the expertise of forensic psychologists and psychiatrists when working on both criminal and civil cases. In criminal investigations, these mental health professionals assess whether a person involved with the case is mentally ill, and if he or she can stand trial. A few of the issues involved with civil cases include disability compensation, the right to refuse treatment, and involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. Additionally, forensic psychologists and psychiatrists may be involved in resolving domestic and family issues. They may be called on to determine if a parent is fit to maintain custody of his or her child, or if a child has been abused.
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Learn more about the various degree options available within the field of Forensic Science. This article also covers the typical curriculum of each program and employment available at a given degree level.
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In the real world, criminology and forensic science aren't the same as what you see on TV, but there are probably a few things about criminology that you do have a good understanding of. If not, you're in luck: We have composed a comprehensive list of resources that will provide you with a solid foundation in criminology and forensic science.
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Forensic science specialists do a variety of tasks related to analyzing evidence and solving crimes. They may conduct investigations of crime scenes, do scientific analysis of fingerprints, or act as expert witnesses in a court. Due to the sensitive nature of this field, specialized training is almost always required to land a job.
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Forensic toxicology involves the study of toxins—poisons, drugs, and other materials that have a life-threatening effect on a living being—for the purpose of public safety and justice. A forensic toxicologist knows the absorption rate, distribution rate, and a slew of other characteristics regarding how toxins interact with the human body. Forensic toxicologists perform tests on human tissue samples and body fluids (which typically come in evidence bags fresh from a crime scene) in order to determine whether or not a toxin is present.
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TV shows like "CSI" have increased the public attention on forensic science jobs. A career in the forensic science field can be a good fit if you have an understanding of chemistry, biology, and forensic science procedures and enjoy working in a criminal justice capacity.
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There are several options for financial aid for students who are interested in pursuing careers within the field of forensic science. Most of these options, however, can be found for students who are enlisted in programs that result in degrees (associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees), although some of these options apply for students involved in certification programs, as well. The three most popular forms of financial aid include scholarships, grants and student loans.
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Forensic scientist Eric Carita dispels a few popular myths about forensic science and describes how he came to find (and love) his profession.
SR Education Group
