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Are you interested in forensic science? See excerpts
from Career Builder Editor Kate Lorenz's article "Think
You Want to Be a CSI?"
For full article, go to
http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Custom/MSN/CareerAdvice/456.htm |
Qualifications/Characteristics
of a Good Forensic Science Candidate
Most forensic scientists are employed in crime labs associated
with law
enforcement or other government agencies. Education should include
a
bachelor's degree (at minimum) in the natural sciences, plus
completion of
written and practical tests. Other factors considered may include
drug
tests, criminal history, medical or physical exam, past work
performance
and polygraph test.
More than 20 colleges or universities in the U.S. offer a bachelor's
degree
program in forensic science; more than 10 additional schools
offer a
bachelor's of science in chemistry, biochemistry or genetic
engineering
with an emphasis on forensic science; a few additional schools
offer a
bachelor's of science degree with an emphasis in a specialty
area, such as
criminalistics, pathology, jurisprudence, odontology, toxicology,
or
forensic accounting.
Below is a list of many of the specialty areas within forensic
science:
Forensic Anthropologist
These experts are physical anthropologists who generate biological
profiles
for unidentified human skeletal remains, identify unknown individuals
and
evaluate skeletal trauma. They are often university-based and
consult for
medical examiner offices.
Forensic Computer Scientist/Digital Evidence Examiner
Think Warrick Brown on CSI. These investigators are computer
and
information scientists/technicians who may be involved in the
recovery and
examination of probative information from digital evidence.
This evidence
includes desktop computers, laptops, network servers, and other
digital
equipment including cameras, personal digital assistants, pagers,
software
programs, databases and e-mail.
Forensic Engineer
The forensic work in this area mostly relates to civil litigation
and
sometimes criminal casework. But for people like the character
Calleigh
Duquesne on CSI: Miami, the range of forensic activity includes
accident
reconstruction, product failure investigations, structural failure
analysis
and related investigations.
Forensic Entomologist
Although the head of his unit, this is Gil Grissom's specialty
on CSI.
These investigators are often university-based and consult for
medical
examiners, coroners, law enforcement agencies and attorneys.
They use
insect evidence to help reconstruct the circumstances surrounding
human
death, including time of death and movement of the body
Forensic Nurse
These specialized nurses perform functions such as serving as
sexual
assault nurse examiners and case reviewers for medical malpractice
attorneys.
Forensic Odontology
Forensic Odontologists are dentists and oral pathologists who
most often
consult for medical examiner offices. They identify people from
dental
structures and analysis/comparisons of bitemarks.
Forensic Pathologist
Like Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on CSI: New York, forensic pathologists
are medical
doctors who serve as medical examiners and sometimes as coroners.
They
determine the cause and manner of death through autopsies and
death
investigation.
Forensic Psychiatrist
These are medical doctors who serve as researchers and clinical
practitioners where psychiatry is applied to legal issues. They
might
conduct psychiatric examinations to determine civil and criminal
competence, psychological trauma and criminal responsibility.
Forensic Psychologist
This person applies psychology to questions relating to the
law and the
legal system. This work includes psychological evaluation and
expert
testimony including trial competency, forensic behavioral analysis,
civil
commitment and guardianship.
Forensic Toxicologist
Forensic Toxicologists, like Eric Delko on CSI: Miami, provide
services in
postmortem cases (support death investigations), human performance
cases
(driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs) and workplace
testing
(mandatory job-related alcohol/drug testing). The work encompasses
the
determination and interpretation of drugs and their metabolites
in
biological fluids.
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