FORENSIC SCIENCE
Mission
and Vision
Activities
CAREER FIELDS AND REQUIRED DEGREES
The following is intended as an overview but, since this is a relatively new field, you should contact agencies in the geographical area in which you want to work to inquire about minimum requirements, job descriptions, and openings.
Crime Scene Investigation: associate’s or bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, or biology for the purpose of working as a civilian in a police department mobile crime lab
Fingerprints/DNA Typing and Analysis/Trace Evidence/Voice and Speech Analysis: bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or forensic science; sometimes, board certification
Toxicology and Drug Analysis: bachelor’s degree in forensic science or chemistry; sometimes, board certification
Ballistics/ Firearms and Tool Marks/Tire Tracks/Footwear and Treads: bachelor’s degree; apprenticeship
Questioned Documents and Handwriting: bachelor’s degree; apprenticeship; board certification
Computer Crime: bachelor’s degree in computer information systems
Accounting: bachelor’s degree in accounting
Digital Imaging (Photography) and Enhancement: bachelor’s degree
Artistry and Facial Reconstruction: bachelor’s degree
Accident Investigation for police departments or insurance companies: often go through police department training and put in time as a police officer; then attend classes at colleges or specialized investigative seminars—or bachelor’s degree in math, physics, or engineering
Fire and Arson Investigation for fire departments, insurance companies, or private investigation firms: often go through fire department training and put in time as a fire fighter; then attend classes at colleges or specialized investigative seminars—or bachelor’s degree in forensic science or chemistry
Engineering: bachelor’s degree in engineering
Architecture: bachelor’s degree in architecture
Odontology and Dentistry: must be a dentist (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); specialized postgraduate training in the field of forensic dentistry—or dental hygienist (license) or assistant (sometimes, certification) who helps make up the forensic dental team
Pathology and Death Investigation: must be a medical doctor (4 years of undergraduate school; 4 years of medical school; and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected)
Entomology: medical doctor or Ph.D.
Nursing: must be a nurse (B.S.N.; license) and additional course work
Anthropology: bachelor’s in anthropology; master’s or preferably a Ph.D. in physical anthropology or anatomy—with courses in genetics, biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy/physiology, zoology, and statistics
Psychology: bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related behavioral science; master’s degree and even a Ph.D. in psychology
Psychiatry: medical doctor who has completed 12 years of education, including college, medical school, and residency training in psychiatry; additional education and experience in areas relevant to the law
Textbook for Career Searches
Camenson, Blythe. Opportunities in
Forensic Science Careers. Lincolnwood
(Chicago): VGM Career Books (Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies), 2001.
Available in the PGCC Bookstore
Web Sites for Career Searches
http://www.nycareerzone.org
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov
http://www.forensicdoctor.com
http://www.forensicdna.com
http://www.crime-scene-invesigator.net
http://www.ascld.org
For further information, use the following Search Engines:
www.ask.com
www.google.com
www.yahoo.com