Forensic Medicine Degree Program and Career Education

Forensic science (or, as it more commonly called, forensics) in general is the field in which science is applied to law enforcement and the legal system. 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. Specialists in forensic medicine use evidence collected at a crime scene to uncover such vital legal information as the cause or time of death, or evidence which connects a suspect to a crime, to a victim, or to the location of crime.

As technology advances, forensics is playing an increasingly vital role in law enforcement. According to the FBI's "Handbook of Forensic Services," for instance, "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."

Forensic medicine is also sometimes referred to as "medical jurisprudence."

Education, Training and Degrees in Forensic Medicine

Most positions in forensic medicine require at least a bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics or another science directly related to the field. More commonly, however, a master's degree is required.

Find out more information about online Health Care degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

Explore Career Opportunities in Forensic Medicine

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities for all branches of forensics, including forensic medicine, are expected to grow "much faster than the average" during the next ten years. The Department of Labor projection also notes that employment prospects increase as the level of the degree rises.

Below are more details concerning careers within this field.

Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses assist in the collection of medical evidence to be used for legal and law enforcement purposes. In addition, they might provide immediate physical care and emotional support to crime victims, or deliver various medical and health services to those currently incarcerated in a jail or prison.

Forensic Pathologist
Forensic pathologists are medical professionals who perform autopsies to determine the time of death, cause of death, and other medical information which might be used for legal purposes. Forensic pathologists are MDs who specialize in this field.

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