Forensic science is not new; in fact, it was used as early as the 18th century. It just wasn’t as well known as it is today. With the discovery of DNA and the power it has to prove or disprove crime theories, along with the popular TV shows flooding our televisions, forensics has now become mainstream. With so many new advances in the way blood is collected and tested, the many purposes of DNA testing, and even the way fingerprints are evaluated; it is a lucrative career choice for many.
Forensic science brings together the scientific, medical, and justice systems. It is an exciting career opportunity and arguably the coroner is by far the most important witness in any court trial. It is that scientific evidence that is always concrete and never circumstantial that a forensic scientist brings to the table. Often, it determines guilt or innocence.
So what does a forensic scientist look like? Here are some suggestions for those interested in and intrigued by this important facet of science:
- In terms of education, a minimum of a Bachelor of Science is needed along with studies in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, English Composition, etc.
- Commitment to continuing education courses.
- A sense of ethics and the ability to remain impartial.
- The ability to write well – This is important as many reports are compiled for use by lawyers and other aspects of the court system.
- The ability to speak with confidence, as many forensic experts are called upon to testify in court proceedings.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive; it is, however, a good place to start. While salaries will vary greatly depending on your level of education, the job itself, and your level of experience, there are limitless opportunities for career advancement; therefore, salary advances will also increase. The environment in which a forensic scientist works includes laboratories, offices, medical examiner’s offices, hospitals, toxicology labs, and any other setting where evidence is collected, stored, or analyzed. Many forensic experts work for the federal government, or sometimes even state or local governments.
Finally, with advances in digital and multimedia sciences, many forensics are dabbling in this new specialty. It makes sense because photographs and other images are used to document crime scenes, autopsies, and even photographs taken at the time of arrest. These examiners work to ensure that digital images collected as crime scene evidence have not been tampered with. For example, if a photo is found showing someone in a compromising position, the digital forensics team goes to work to ensure it is accurate and has not been modified in a computer program. It is not only still images, but also videos are analyzed.
Many job portals offer various job opportunities for those looking to find their niche in forensic science. Law firms, government agencies, hospitals, and many others are often looking for the right candidates to fill these positions.