Did you know a person’s skin and bones can tell a story, even after they are dead?
Forensic professionals straighten out history, track down criminals, and bring justice in ways few others can. With DNA, fingerprints, and other forms of solid evidence scientists are able to solve a range of crimes that would otherwise go unsolved. In fact, forensic evidence is considered to be one of the strongest contributors to a case.
Types of Forensics
It is a profession that has developed quickly over the last century, and now is a vital part of law enforcement and examination. There are many types of forensics. You will learn how to effectively analyze a number of things including:
- Biology: DNA
- Fingerprints
- Controlled Substance
- Chemistry
- Document Examination: For forgery and false documents
- Weapon identification and examination: Figure out what weapon was used, how it was used, and what happened when it was used.
- Psychophysology: Detecting Deception: Measure internal body functions to determine deception.
- Blood splatter expert: angles and trajectory allow you to recreate the crime scene and verify the accounts of witnesses.
- Computer forensics: going through computer files searching for clues.
- Crime scene photography
- Accountant: Analyze finances of a person of company to find problems and clues.
- Artists: Sketch people or places based on witness description.
The Evidence Speaks for Itself
There is great need to good forensic experts. Innocent people can be freed, and guilty people can be brought to justice when evidence is properly examined. Physical evidence properly analyzed can even be better than eyewitnesses, especially if the witnesses are children. According to one forensic expert’s book,
“The skin and bones tell a story which the child is either too young or too frightened to tell.”
Duties of Forensic Scientists
Here are some of the main duties of forensics experts:
- Examining evidence
- Writing reports: the Judicial System relies heavily on the expert opinion of forensic researchers.
- Testifying in Court
Personality Traits Needed for the Job
City, county, and State governments have crime laboratories, and most forensic scientists work in these labs. The FBI and other federal agencies also employ forensic scientists.
You will most likely work 40 hour weeks, and will spend a lot of time in laboratories examining evidence and writing reports. For this reason it is important to have concentration skills, and also great attention to detail. A mistake can be costly for the accused person sitting in front of the judge. Be able to work well alone.
You might also be spending a fair amount of time court rooms. You will need good communication skills, written and oral, to be able to communicate clearly to the judge and jury what the lab has found. The jury will often be composed of average citizens, so language will need to be clear enough for even those with limited education. Furthermore you will need to care about your appearance.
Advantages to a Job in Forensics
- This job lets science lovers apply their skills to real world situations.
- Your research can put killers in jail, free the wrongfully accused, and clarify history.
- Your job can be exciting, as you reach conclusions and provide direction to those who desperately need it.
Things to Consider Before Going into the Field
- Forensic scientists on TV solve cases in about an hour, but in real life it can take years to get substantial results from evidence
- Working around crime can be depressing. Make sure you have a durable morale.
- While you may work with exciting cases, you may also work with low profile situations, and not get any glory
- Hour after hour in the lab can be draining, regardless of what you are doing.
- Starting pay is lower
One Last Word
Forensics is a great industry to go in if you have the will-power to solve crimes and the attention to detail needed for the job.
If you are interested in earning a degree in Criminal Justice Administration, click here to request more information.
* Area of Study
