Becoming a Forensic Scientist
Forensic science applies science to the law enforcement and legal systems. Forensic scientists use scientific laboratory techniques to analyze physical evidence from crime scenes, in an attempt to solve crimes and identify the perpetrators.Forensic science plays a vital role in law enforcement. The FBI's "Handbook of Forensic Services," for instance, says: "The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes requires, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence. Forensic analysis of evidence is often crucial to determinations of guilt or innocence."
Education, Training & Degrees for Forensic Scientists
Most law enforcement agencies that employ forensics personnel prefer that applicants possess a college degree, and some require one. Most Crime Scene Investigators, for instance, are police officers. The number of civilians with specialized skills being hired into positions as forensic scientist technicians is on the rise. In either case, a degree is essential. Depending on the size, location and requirements of the hiring agency, this could be a two-year (AA) degree, a four-year (BA or BS) degree, or a post-graduate degree (MS or PhD) in the general field of criminal justice or in some specific criminal justice discipline, such as forensic science.Other degrees which could prove useful in obtaining employment as a forensic scientist technician include those with an emphasis in lab sciences which can be applied to crime scene investigation, including chemistry, biology or forensic science.
Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills for Forensic Scientists
Although forensics covers a wide field, including everything from accounting to epistemology, the role of the forensic scientist is essentially a laboratory function that concentrates on criminalistics, or the analysis of physical evidence. This function of forensics is the one most often referred to in the media.Forensic science combines knowledge and techniques from a number of different disciplines, including science, law and even logic. One specialized application of forensics is Crime Scene Investigation, which involves field forensics, or on-site investigation of the physical scene of a crime. Other wise, most forensic analysis takes place in a controlled laboratory setting.
Among the standard tests a forensics lab performs with evidence collected from a crime scene includes fingerprint detection and identification, shoeprints identification, bloodstain typing and dispersal, and any evidence from ballistic events. Analysis of DNA from hair, skin cells or residual bodily fluids collected from crime scenes is also becoming standard procedure. Another function of the forensic scientists is to attempt a reconstruction of the commission of the crime. This task applied logical deduction based on the physical evidence and the results of analyzing this evidence.
The forensic scientist plays a supporting role in crime investigation, backing up the investigator to whom a case is assigned. A forensic scientist needs to possess some specific character traits in order to be successful. Among these would include a methodical approach and an attention to detail; a logical and deductive mind; and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
