What is forensic science?

Forensic science involves the evaluating of physical evidence from a crime scene or space/location related to a crime. This may involve analyzing thing such as fingerprints, blood, semen, firearms, saliva, drugs, and may also involve reconstructing skeletal bones. It may also involve analyzing data on a device such as a computer, camera or cell phone or examining documents or financial accounts. In addition, forensic scientists write reports, preserve evidence, testify in court, and discuss evidence collection with attorneys and law enforcement personnel. (As defined at http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com)

What qualities or skills are important for a forensic scientist to have?

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences indicates that the scientific breakdown of evidence is crucial in determining an accused person’s guilt or innocence in a crime. Therefore, it is important that forensic scientists be methodical, detailed-oriented, unbiased, and precise. Due to the fact that forensic scientists often have to present their findings via testimony and written reports, the ability to keep detailed notes, write in a clear, concise and accurate manner is crucial in this field as well as having strong verbal skills. Critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills are also very important, as they have to determine from 100’s of options, which specific tests or analyses are appropriate to run for each case. Many times they may be viewing things of a graphic nature, therefore it is also important to have a strong stomach and not be squeamish.

What kinds of careers are available in forensic science?

There are a number of areas of specialization in forensic science. Below is a list obtained from forensicsciencedegree.org, crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org and aafs.org of the most common areas of Forensic Science.

• Criminalistics: This area is what’s most associated with forensic science. It involves reconstructing a crime scene from all of the physical evidence collected and documented, and interpreting the results in order to figure out who, why, and how the crime or incident occurred.
• Digital/Multimedia or Computer Forensics: Entails analyzing the contents of a computer, camera, surveillance video, or mobile phone in order to find more evidence or to support existing evidence. May also involve comparing different audio files to try to identity a voice.
• Toxicology: Has to do with screening bodily fluids, hair, and nails for any substances that may be present. They typically work on either postmortem, human performance, or drug testing (drug testing for sports, probation, etc.) cases.
• Engineering Science: This work involves investigating accidents, environmental contamination, and crime scenes to determine how, when, and why things happened (a car running off the road, a building collapsing, etc.).
• Odontology: Requires analyzing bite marks, tooth fragments, and jaws to existing x-rays or photographs to help identify a victim or suspect. It may also involve conducting dental x-rays on both living and deceased subjects.
• Pathology/Biology: Typically conducts autopsies in order to determine time of death, cause of death, and identity. They may also arrive at the scene of the crime to investigate the person’s medical history and what they were doing at the time of their death.
• Physical Anthropology: Tend to focus on identifying human bones and discover who they were and how they died. They also typically have some background in archaeology, since they sometimes must assist in digging up bones from a crime scene in order to avoid additional damage to skeletal remains.
• Jurisprudence: Will serve as an expert witness in a court case and will be required to review all evidence in the case and provide their opinion of the evidence based on their area of expertise and their knowledge of the law. Unlike some other forensic scientists, jurisprudence forensics requires applying their forensic knowledge to the law, not just presenting findings from tests that were run, which is why they will typically have a law degree.
• Psychology/Behavior Science: This involves assessing the suspect or victim to determine their mental health. Their analysis is used to decide if the victim or suspect is fit for court, and if further actions (treatment plans, testing) are required.
• Document Examination: Their work includes analyzing handwriting and signatures in order to determine authenticity. They will also restore, decipher, and assess if there are missing pieces or pages of documents.
• Accounting: Work involves looking over financial records and documents searching for irregularities. They use their findings to assist law enforcement agencies with cases of embezzlement, fraud and money laundering.
• Artist: Forensic artists work closely with law enforcement officers to identify criminal suspects and victims through facial composite sketches. They are also often called to the scene of a crime to create drawings, scale diagrams and models of crime scenes. Their may al so involve recreating facial composites from skeletal remains using the clay or computer software, creating age progression sketches of suspects or victims or creating diagrams, evidence charts and 3-D construction of crime scenes for court hearings
• Photography: This work includes taking photographs of crime scenes or accidents so there is visual record that can serve as evidence in court. They may take photographs of injuries sustained, tire marks, fingerprints, blood splatter, bullet holes, footprint, etc. These photographs will usually accompany reports on the case.

Please note this is not an exhaustive list. There are several subcategories that may exist within these larger specialization areas. Please be sure to research your specific are of interest and what it entails and requires. In most cases a forensic scientist will specialize in a particular area, however in smaller investigative departments there may be a single forensic scientist that takes on multiple roles during an investigation.

How will this certificate help me to be competitive for work in the field or graduate school?

The University of Texas at Austin does not offer a specific Forensic Science degree program, therefore this certificate is a way to take coursework similar to what a Forensic Science program would require. Forensic Science programs will typically require coursework in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, criminal justice/criminology, Behavioral Science, and Statistics, which are all included in the course options for the Forensic Science Certificate. Some course options for the certificate include Pharmacology, Anatomy & Biology of the Human Skeleton, Criminology, Abnormal Psychology, Human Microscopic & Gross Anatomy, Organic Chemistry, Genetics and Physical Anthropology. You may want to consider also taking coursework to strengthen your written and verbal communication skills.

The certificate is also transcripted on your final transcript, which you can list on your resume. Because the certificate is transcripted admissions officers would be able to see it on your transcript when evaluating your application for a graduate program. We also recommend doing research on your specific field of interest and what kind of preparation it requires so you can determine if additional coursework, experience or higher degree is required.

Do I have to go to graduate school in order to work in this field?

Entry-level forensic scientists usually have a bachelor's degree in forensic science or a related field, such as biology, chemistry or physics. Because a bachelor's degree in forensic science or related field only prepares you for general work, depending on what area of forensics you are interested in pursuing it may require a higher degree. For example if you are interested in being a medical examiner, then an M.D. is typically required. However if you were interested in being a lab technician, then a Bachelor’s degree could be sufficient. Some areas may require special certifications in addition to any degrees earned. We strongly recommend taking the time to research your area of interest to see what is necessary to be competitive and successful in that area.

What agencies or companies do Forensic Scientists typically work for?

Forensic Scientist can work for any number of agencies. Though most work would take place in the lab, it may also involve going out into the field to collect evidence to be evaluated and testifying in court. Here are some examples of places a forensic scientist might be employed as outlined on http://work.chron.com.

Law Enforcement - Local and state police departments, such as city and state police, employ forensic scientists to assist in the investigation of crimes. This may involve going out to crime scenes to collect specimen to be tested.

Universities or Research Group: In some areas of forensics, scientists are actually employed at universities or research groups as researchers or instructors. These individuals are typically researchers or instructors seeking to make breakthroughs in the field. They may also be hired as consultants on cases.

Crime Laboratories – May be operated by city, county or state governments or private companies. At these labs, forensic scientists conduct the chemical, biological and physical analysis of evidence collected at crime scenes. Private forensic labs are sometimes used by government agencies to run tests if their own department is not equipped to do so.

Federal Agencies - Federal agencies, such as the Justice Department, Treasury Department, Postal Inspection Service and Health and Human Services employ forensic scientists who specialize in a particular area of forensics, such as ammunition, DNA, explosives, trace evidence or hazardous materials. The FBI has one of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world and employees more than 500 scientific experts.

Hospitals - Many hospitals employ social workers or forensic scientists who have a background in nursing. These professionals have training in providing trauma care or trauma counseling, collecting physical evidence from crime victims and providing testimony that can be used in legal proceedings. Both social workers and forensic nurses have specialized knowledge of the legal system and have received extensive training in identifying, evaluating and documenting injuries caused by assault, sexual violence, neglect or other forms of intentional injury. After the victim has been treated for their injuries, social workers and forensic nurses collect the necessary evidence, advocate for the victim and consult with legal authorities.

What can I expect to get paid working in Forensic Science?

According to www.criminaljusticeusa.com and www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com, annual salaries in this field can range anywhere from $27,000-$150,000 or more. The salary in the forensic science field can vary greatly depending a number of factors. These factors include level of experience, what area of forensics one works in, what type of agency one works for, highest degree earned and where in the country a person works.

Naturally those with more experience will likely be paid a higher salary than those with less experience. Some areas of forensic science pay more or less than others. For example, Forensic Engineers can earn an average of$78,000 per year, while an evidence technician can earn an average of $45,000 per year. Whether someone works for a federal, state, private agency or a hospital or private lab will affect how much one is paid. Whether one has a Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree can also affect the rate of pay for a position. Salary will also vary depending on location. For example, states in the northeast or in the west may pay more because cost of living is more and they may have more resources and demand.

There is a lot of opportunity for growth in this field, so keep that in mind when evaluating starting salaries. It is important to investigate more closely your area of interest as well as what part of the country you may want to work in and what type of agency you would prefer to work within to get a better gauge of your earning potential.

How can I find internship opportunities in Forensic Science?

For students in the College of Natural Sciences, you do a search using the Handshake resource program on the Career Services webpage. It allows you to search for job and internship opportunities based on area of interest. Students in other colleges should consult with their college's Career Services Office to see what kind of resources they may have. It is alway a good idea to consult a Career Advisor regarding preparing for internships (resume revision, drafting cover letters, etc) as well as how to identify them.

We have also identified some internship opportunities through the FBI the Austin Police Department and others. Please visit links below. In addition to working with your Career Services Office, sometimes a great way to get started is to speak with a professor or someone you know that works in the field or doing a Google search for possible opportunities.

http://www.fbiagentedu.org/fbi-internships/

https://www.austintexas.gov/page/forensics-internship-volunteer-and-ride-out-programs

http://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/resources/cool-forensic-science-internships

http://naturalhistory.si.edu/NHRE/

How many hours would I be working on average?

According to http://www.aafs.org, forensic scientists employed by the government are typically able to work a 40-hour workweek. However, specific deadlines, and an increasing number of caseloads may require overtime. Hours per week and actual work schedule may depend on the type of agency you work for. There may be day or evening shifts or a certain number of on-call hours.

Where can I get additional information on the field of Forensic Science?

This is a listing of sites where much of the information from this page was gathered as well as additional resources. Please note this is not an exhaustive list but rather a good place to start. Keep in mind although some sites may be listed under a particular subject, you may be able to obtain information related to other areas on that site.

Additional Educational Opportunities

http://www.txstate.edu/anthropology/facts/workshops.html

Salary Information

http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm

http://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/jobs-in-forensics/

Employer Agencies

http://work.chron.com/places-work-forensic-scientist-25277.html

http://www.bls.gov/bls/

Graduate Programs

http://www.gradschools.com/programs/forensic-science

Myths

http://www.myforensicsciencedegree.com/25-surprising-facts-about-forensic-science/

http://work.chron.com/forensic-scientist-vs-csi-forensic-scientist-17632.html

http://www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com/features/10-forensic-myths-spread-by-tv.html

Professional Associations

http://www.thecfso.org/

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/resources/weblinks_forensic.html

http://www.criminalistics.com/

http://thefsab.org/accredited.htm

http://www.aafs.org

http://www.theabfa.org/forstudents.html

https://www.toxicology.org/careers/