When thinking about a “forensic scientist,” we think of dusting fingerprints and catching bad guys, and while that may be part of their job there is much more to it. We see what they do on crime shows on the television: testing blood samples, comparing DNA, looking at evidence. However, the shows do not portray how difficult or important the job is to the case at hand. A forensic scientist is an important part in solving any “case,” whether it be a murder or a civil case. Without forensic scientists and their knowledge cases would go unsolved and problems unanswered.
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What they are
A forensic scientist is a specialist in a field of science who applies their knowledge to the purposes of law (Collins Dictionary).The findings of a forensic scientist are intended to be used in a court of law because of how powerful the findings can be. The findings need to be accurate, detailed, and unbiased. The experiments conducted need be be written clear and concise, there is no room for error. The forensic scientist must be able to decide what is and is not relevant to the case at hand and what they need to test. By deciding what is relevant to the case they can decide what tests should be conducted, whether it be to decide if a substance is a drug or not. When at a forensic scientist is at a crime scene they analyze the scene to determine what is important, take photographs of the evidence, make sketches of the scene, and record observations (Forensic Scientist Technician: What they do). After the evidence is collected from the crime scene the forensic scientist will take it to the lab and conduct tests, explore links between the victim and possible suspects, and possible reconstruct the crime scene. (Forensic Scientist Technician: What they do) After a test is conducted the scientist must interpret the results and write about the findings of the test and the conclusion or their opinion on the findings. At some point in the case the forensic scientist will have to testify their findings to the court. When they do this they are a witness of the court and are under oath. They provide a verbal statement of the findings from the tests they have conducted and their opinion and what they mean in terms of the case.A forensic scientist is an “Expert” witness in a case meaning they need a solid background of education in the field, training, and experience in the tests they have conducted. While a forensic scientist is important to a case they are not always correct and in court their position is often questioned in whether they conducted the correct tests or analyzed the results correctly. (American Academy of Forensic Sciences)
A forensic scientist is a specialist in a field of science who applies their knowledge to the purposes of law (Collins Dictionary).The findings of a forensic scientist are intended to be used in a court of law because of how powerful the findings can be. The findings need to be accurate, detailed, and unbiased. The experiments conducted need be be written clear and concise, there is no room for error. The forensic scientist must be able to decide what is and is not relevant to the case at hand and what they need to test. By deciding what is relevant to the case they can decide what tests should be conducted, whether it be to decide if a substance is a drug or not. When at a forensic scientist is at a crime scene they analyze the scene to determine what is important, take photographs of the evidence, make sketches of the scene, and record observations (Forensic Scientist Technician: What they do). After the evidence is collected from the crime scene the forensic scientist will take it to the lab and conduct tests, explore links between the victim and possible suspects, and possible reconstruct the crime scene. (Forensic Scientist Technician: What they do) After a test is conducted the scientist must interpret the results and write about the findings of the test and the conclusion or their opinion on the findings. At some point in the case the forensic scientist will have to testify their findings to the court. When they do this they are a witness of the court and are under oath. They provide a verbal statement of the findings from the tests they have conducted and their opinion and what they mean in terms of the case.A forensic scientist is an “Expert” witness in a case meaning they need a solid background of education in the field, training, and experience in the tests they have conducted. While a forensic scientist is important to a case they are not always correct and in court their position is often questioned in whether they conducted the correct tests or analyzed the results correctly. (American Academy of Forensic Sciences)
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Job Outlook
As of 2012 the median pay for a forensic scientist was 52,840 per year meaning half of the scientists in this field earned above this and half earned below the median. To enter this field a Bachelor’s degree is required which is the typical requirement for entry to the field. When employed in the field there will be post employment training on the job to attain the skills needed to properly work in the field. A forensic scientist does not need any prior employment in a similar job field to be qualified to apply for a job in the field. In the year 2012 there was 12,900 forensic scientists. 12,900 is the base of the projection number for the 2012-22 employment rate. There will be a seven percent increase of of growth in this field which is slower than the average growth rate of employment at 11 percent. Is is projected that in the years to 2022 there will be 700 positions in the field available. (Forensic Scientist Technicians: Quick facts)
As of 2012 the median pay for a forensic scientist was 52,840 per year meaning half of the scientists in this field earned above this and half earned below the median. To enter this field a Bachelor’s degree is required which is the typical requirement for entry to the field. When employed in the field there will be post employment training on the job to attain the skills needed to properly work in the field. A forensic scientist does not need any prior employment in a similar job field to be qualified to apply for a job in the field. In the year 2012 there was 12,900 forensic scientists. 12,900 is the base of the projection number for the 2012-22 employment rate. There will be a seven percent increase of of growth in this field which is slower than the average growth rate of employment at 11 percent. Is is projected that in the years to 2022 there will be 700 positions in the field available. (Forensic Scientist Technicians: Quick facts)
Types of Forensic Technicians
A forensic scientist can be a generalist or may specialize in a certain type. A generalist is a forensic scientist that performs all or most of the duties such as collecting evidence from the crime scene and testing the evidence at the lab, while a specialized forensic technician only does the duties for that type. A generalist is often times called a criminalist and they perform the duties of a crime scene investigator and laboratory analyst. The types that work in laboratories are typically forensic pathologists and anthropologist. These two types use chemicals and equipment to analyze data from the evidence they are given. They may also use computers to analyze evidence such as fingerprints or DNA. Most forensic scientists that work in a lab specialize in one specific type of analysis, such as DNA or ballistics. Other forensic scientists are called forensic computer examiners or digital forensic analysts and are specialized in computer crimes. These types collect evidence and analyze it to uncover fraud or identity theft and also help in non-cyber crimes because of all the personal items that people put on their computers and phones. Whether the forensic technicians works with crime scene evidence or computers they all work in a team. When a person specializes in just one part of forensics they will more likely work in a team rather than alone. The technician and the generalist all work with either a crime scene investigator, police, detectives and the coroner to solve cases (Forensic Science Degree). All forensic technicians write detailed reports of their findings in evidence and their methods. They also report to lawyers, detectives, and judges their findings and they all can be used as witnesses in the court of law. (Forensic Scientist Technician: Duties)
A forensic scientist can be a generalist or may specialize in a certain type. A generalist is a forensic scientist that performs all or most of the duties such as collecting evidence from the crime scene and testing the evidence at the lab, while a specialized forensic technician only does the duties for that type. A generalist is often times called a criminalist and they perform the duties of a crime scene investigator and laboratory analyst. The types that work in laboratories are typically forensic pathologists and anthropologist. These two types use chemicals and equipment to analyze data from the evidence they are given. They may also use computers to analyze evidence such as fingerprints or DNA. Most forensic scientists that work in a lab specialize in one specific type of analysis, such as DNA or ballistics. Other forensic scientists are called forensic computer examiners or digital forensic analysts and are specialized in computer crimes. These types collect evidence and analyze it to uncover fraud or identity theft and also help in non-cyber crimes because of all the personal items that people put on their computers and phones. Whether the forensic technicians works with crime scene evidence or computers they all work in a team. When a person specializes in just one part of forensics they will more likely work in a team rather than alone. The technician and the generalist all work with either a crime scene investigator, police, detectives and the coroner to solve cases (Forensic Science Degree). All forensic technicians write detailed reports of their findings in evidence and their methods. They also report to lawyers, detectives, and judges their findings and they all can be used as witnesses in the court of law. (Forensic Scientist Technician: Duties)
Work Environment
A forensic scientist will typically work in a police department, laboratories, and morgues. They have to be ready to work in all types of weather because at times they need to travel to the crime scene rain or shine. They may spend most of their time in laboratory analysing evidence, but they may have a combination of the two. Depending on the type of forensic technician they may have to work in teams with others or alone. Most of the time the technician will be working in the laboratory. A crime scene investigator travels all over their jurisdiction. A crime scene investigator will experience more travel than any of the other technicians because they are required at the crime scene (American Academy of Forensic Sciences). When working on a case they are usually on a time restraint and have to be prepared to work odd hours during the ongoing investigation.The job of a forensic scientist can be dangerous at times even though it does not seem like it. The scientists can come into contact with diseases, poisons, and dangerous criminals at times. It also come with the perk of meeting new people frequently on cases and developing strong bonds within a team. Strong bonds with a team are important to be able to work quickly and efficiently together to get to the end of the investigation (Forensic Science Degree).
A forensic scientist will typically work in a police department, laboratories, and morgues. They have to be ready to work in all types of weather because at times they need to travel to the crime scene rain or shine. They may spend most of their time in laboratory analysing evidence, but they may have a combination of the two. Depending on the type of forensic technician they may have to work in teams with others or alone. Most of the time the technician will be working in the laboratory. A crime scene investigator travels all over their jurisdiction. A crime scene investigator will experience more travel than any of the other technicians because they are required at the crime scene (American Academy of Forensic Sciences). When working on a case they are usually on a time restraint and have to be prepared to work odd hours during the ongoing investigation.The job of a forensic scientist can be dangerous at times even though it does not seem like it. The scientists can come into contact with diseases, poisons, and dangerous criminals at times. It also come with the perk of meeting new people frequently on cases and developing strong bonds within a team. Strong bonds with a team are important to be able to work quickly and efficiently together to get to the end of the investigation (Forensic Science Degree).
Conclusion
Forensic scientists come in different forms and numbers of people. They need to be quick on their feet to make the time frame and strong minded to come up with solutions. The scientists need to be prepared for dangerous tasks and travel when they least expect it. Being a forensic scientist is harder than it looks to be on television, but that should not deter anyone who aspires to be one. Forensic scientists may work in the background on cases and investigations but they are one of the most important people working it. Without them there would be unsolved cases, guilty people walking around, and unanswered questions.
Forensic scientists come in different forms and numbers of people. They need to be quick on their feet to make the time frame and strong minded to come up with solutions. The scientists need to be prepared for dangerous tasks and travel when they least expect it. Being a forensic scientist is harder than it looks to be on television, but that should not deter anyone who aspires to be one. Forensic scientists may work in the background on cases and investigations but they are one of the most important people working it. Without them there would be unsolved cases, guilty people walking around, and unanswered questions.