Forensics Career Information
This category includes those professions that specialize in analyzing evidence rather than in preventing or solving crimes. It includes people whose efforts take place partly or mainly in laboratories, such as crime scene investigators and forensic specialists employed by police departments and federal agencies.
Forensic scientists can specialize in areas of analysis, dealing only with DNA or firearms, so earning a degree in science or science-related technology is a necessity. Studying relevant subjects, such as criminal justice, can also round out a career that works so closely with the unfortunate results of criminal activity.
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Forensic Jobs
Numerous career opportunities are available in the field of forensics. Below is a summary of a few of the most popular positions.
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
The CSI is responsible for gathering evidence at the scene of a crime and investigating and examining the evidence in a lab. At the scene of a crime, the CSI seeks out and secures physical evidence, such as hair, fingerprints and DNA samples, and writes reports consisting of detailed observations of the site scene.Crime Scene Technician
Also known as Forensic Technician or Crime Scene Analyst, this is often the entry level position for eventual promotion to full CSI. A Crime Scene Tech responds to crime scenes and performs a variety of investigative tasks to document a crime including taking photographs, recovering evidence, processing latent fingerprints, and other tasks assigned by superiors.Forensic Medicine
Forensic medicine is a discipline within the medical profession which applies the principles, techniques and knowledge of medicine (including dentistry, clinical psychology, biology and chemistry) to a legal context.Forensic Nursing
Forensic nurses cooperate with police and other law enforcement agencies in the clinical investigation of various crimes. Depending on their location and specific job responsibilities, they might collect evidence, diagnose trauma or treat people injured during the commission of a crime.Forensic Scientist
Using scientific laboratory techniques, forensic scientists analyze physical evidence from crime scenes in an attempt to solve crimes and identify perpetrators.
