Careers 101: Jobs in Forensic Science

Published on 2008-06-26

Tools:

At present, despite the ubiquity of forensic scientists on television, only a few dozen universities offer undergraduate degree programs dedicated solely to forensic science. A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or natural science with a strong emphasis on laboratory work is probably the best educational foundation for a career in forensic science. Students who intend to specialize in a particular area of forensic science may also pursue a major in subjects like toxicology, geology, entomology or psychology. A master's degree in forensic science, forensic psychology, forensic computing, etc. could then be obtained from schools such as Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York, or California State University-Los Angeles.

Because they involve the collection and analysis of physical evidence, jobs in forensic science require excellent organizational skills and painstaking attention to detail. Strong communication skills are also important because forensic scientists often provide written reports and trial testimony. Intellectual curiosity and problem-solving skills are essential tools for science jobs in forensics.

Tasks:

Forensic jobs are law enforcement jobs by definition. Forensic refers to something that is used in the investigation and establishment of evidence in a court of law. Depending on one's specialty, a forensic scientist could do everything from DNA analysis to firearms/ballistics examination to studying the insects around a human corpse in order to determine the time or location of death. Though relatively few forensic science technicians are currently employed in the U.S., employment prospects should be excellent for graduates. A 2005 FBI report cited evidence that forensic science skills were in short supply and another 10,000 new forensic scientists would be needed within the next 10 years to fill local, state and federal law enforcement jobs.