There are several relevant certification boards accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board FSAB , including those related to fields as diverse as forensic anthropology and forensic engineering. Step 5 Optional : Enroll in a graduate program in forensic science two to four years.
Another standout option is the FEPAC-accredited University of Illinois at Chicago UIC master of science MS in forensic science which provides interdisciplinary instruction in trace materials, drug identification and toxicology; and pattern evidence.
Of the 25 program graduates from to , 21 graduates are employed with forensic science laboratories in the United States while the other four graduates are pursuing doctoral degrees and working in forensic science labs. Finally, there is an abundance of graduate certificate options as well, including online programs. For more information on graduate education—both online and on-campus—please visit the forensic science online programs and forensic science education pages.
Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since Forensics is the use of techniques or scientific tests in order to detect crime.
A criminalist collects, documents, preserves, and examines the physical evidence at a crime scene, which could be something as huge as a bus, or as tiny as a pollen grain; criminologists, on the other hand, study why crimes occur, how they can be prevented, and the effects they have on a society. Forensics Colleges interviewed three prominent professors on the future of their field in the wake of the PCAST report.
How To Become a Forensic Scientist. Search For Schools. Select Your State - Outside of U. Education and Professional Licensure Requirements for Forensic Scientists The forensic scientist occupation can encompass a number of different professions, but this section will mainly consider the career of a forensic science technician.
Steps to Becoming a Forensic Scientist. Here is one possible path to joining this high-growth field: Step 1 Graduate from high school four years.
This varies based on the institution; in some schools the criminal justice program may be found within the department of criminal justice or criminology, while in others it maybe housed within the school of public affairs, and in others still it may be contained within the department of political science.
The forensic science degree may be part of the department of criminal justice or criminology, although students should be expected to take courses in departments related to natural sciences and lab work. What bodies of knowledge will studies focus on in pursuit of their degree?
Overall, those pursuing a degree in criminal justice will likely encounter the following areas of study: Sociology Legal theory and philosophy Law and law enforcement methods and theory Criminal behavior and criminology Ethics Corrections While a student of forensic science will likely take classes related to criminal justice, he or she should expect to be exposed to the following subjects as well: DNA, blood stain, and fingerprint analysis Toxicology Forensic case reporting Forensic anthropology, microscopy, and chemistry Criminal procedure and crime scene investigation Forensic pathology What specializations, if any, are formally available as part of the program?
In some cases, students may be able to specialize in forensic science while pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Other specializations include corrections, policing, homeland security, emergency management, cybercrime, and criminal behavior.
Sometimes forensic science itself is offered as a criminal justice specialization, although in such cases the program tends to emphasize breadth of forensic understanding, whereas standalone forensic science degrees tend to emphasize lab science related to evidence. Specializations might include DNA and serology, toxicology, or death investigation. What established occupations will students be prepared for after receiving a degree? After obtaining a degree in criminal justice students will be prepared to work in various law enforcement positions, including as police officers, FBI agents, homeland security or immigration officers, or even border patrol officers, many of which are described in detail by the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS.
A forensic science degree may allow a student to pursue employment as a forensic toxicologist, a crime scene or forensic science technician as described by the BLS , or an intelligence officer, among a number of other vocations. Are there additional educational opportunities available after pursuing an undergraduate degree in this field? Upon obtaining an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, students may choose to pursue a graduate degree, either in criminal justice, or a number of other fields, including law, philosophy, or sociology.
Myriad educational opportunities exist after obtaining an undergraduate degree in forensic science, such as graduate programs in forensic science, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and other related fields. Undergraduates may also go on to pursue medical degrees if they are interested in a career as a forensic pathologist or forensic psychiatrist, for example.
What emerging occupations will students be prepared for after receiving a degree? Because of the importance that future technology plays in our society, emerging jobs in the field of criminal justice will include those in computer forensics, as well as positions related to homeland security and private security.
Emerging positions available to those with a degree in forensic science may include cybersecurity and digital forensic specialists, as well as overall employment related to computer forensics.
Name eight schools that offer online degrees in these fields. The following is a list of eight schools that offer online degree programs in criminal justice: St. While the field of criminal justice is expansive and encompasses a large array of topics, students in pursuit of a degree in this area of study should expect to become intimately familiar with the criminal justice system, as well as legal theory and philosophy, methods of law enforcement, sociology and law in general.
Overall, a degree in this field of study prepares a student for a career in any number of areas within criminal justice particularly with further specialization , but most commonly in law enforcement, corrections, or homeland security. Finally, there are forensic pathologist careers for students with a more scientific bent who want to learn how to identify human remains. Forensics experts can also be found in fields you might not expect.
Forensic Engineering:. From bridge collapses to product defects, forensic engineers focus their attention on the health and safety of humans. They are often called upon to investigate issues related to environmental damage and personal injury. Forensic Dentistry:. Also known as odontology, this field of forensics focuses primarily on identifying human remains through the use of dental records. However, you may also be asked to analyze bite marks or dental injuries that occurred during a crime.
In many cases, medical examiner offices have an ongoing relationship with a forensic odontologist. Forensic Toxicology:. Forensic toxicologists perform scientific tests and often testify in court cases. They work closely with crime scene investigators, police, and attorneys. Questioned Documents:. Forensic document examiners are primarily known for analyzing handwriting and signatures. However, their role goes much further, from restoring a burned or liquid-soaked document to classifying the type of printer used in a crime.
Document examiners are hired by police departments and state and federal law enforcement. Veterinary Forensics:. This discipline focuses on recovery, identification, and examination of evidence. General Forensics:. According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, those who work in accounting, education and research, art, and geology fall under the General Forensics category.
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