Forensic Science

What it’s about:

Forensic science is an interdisciplinary major that applies knowledgeof the natural sciences, the criminal justice system, and the law to the analysis and evaluation of evidence gathered from a crime or accident scene.

What the study of this major is like:

Although trace evidence may be tiny, it is often enough to establish the particulars of a crime and lead to its solution. The forensic science major teaches you how to use scientific analysis to tie pieces of evidence to particular sources. Because analytical techniques are constantly improving, forensic scientists can more easily protect the innocent and bring the guilty to justice. In fact, investigators can often crack cases that have gone unsolved for decades.

Your first two years in the Bachelor of Science program are typically like those of a chemistrymajor or a premedstudent. You take challenging courses in biology, general and inorganic chemistry, and physics, as well as college-level statistics and calculus. Since the chemistry, biology, and math courses have sequencing requirements, you must begin them in your first semester. You will also take introductory courses in criminal justice, the social sciences, and psychology.

In your third and fourth years, you enrol in special-zed lab courses, taught by or in association with forensic scientists, where you apply the scientific principles and techniques from your earlier courses to forensics. These later courses, which sometimesinclude independent work (such as research projects or internships), provide you with professional skills and career information. In your final year, you usually participate in a field practicum and a capstone seminar project. Although the forensic science major prepares you for direct employment as a laboratory technician, you are generally encouraged to go on to graduate school for further specialization.

Most forensic science programs have developed from existing programs in criminal justice or the natural sciences. There is considerable variation as to which areas they cover in depth. The oldest and largest programs may offer a variety of concentrations, while newer and smaller programs generally focus on one or two of the following subdisciplines:

Forensic biology, which deals with the analysis of blood and other body fluids, physical wounds, and body positions; DNA analysis; forensic chemistry, which examines trace evidence such as hairs, fibers, paint, soil; forensic anthropology, which is concerned with skeletal remains; forensic entomology, which uses insect activity in decomposing bodies to determine place and time of death; forensic toxicology, which analyses specimens of blood, urine, or tissue for drugs, alcohol, or poison. There are other specializations in such areas as computer crime, fingerprints, firearms and explosives, and footprint, tool, and tire impressions.

Two-year or certificate programs in forensic science prepare you for careers as crime scene or evidence technicians. Training may include the collection and preservation of evidence; crime scene photography; latent fingerprint processing; and/or composite drawing. Many of these positions require you to pass a certification exam given by the International Association for Identification (IAI). Not all jurisdictions use civilian technicians for these functions, so be sure to check the rules where you intend to work.

Career options and trends:

Forensic lab technician*; crime scene investigator*; latent fingerprint analyst; forensic engineer; forensic chemist*; forensic DNA analyst*; law enforcement officer.

In some states, only uniformed law enforcement officers investigate crime scenes. Forensic pathologists, psychiatrists, and medical examiners are licensed physicians.

Demand for forensic science professionals is projected to increase because of new technologies in the field, the needs of homeland security, and legislation requiring DNA and fingerprint sampling from members of certain groups. Prospects are best for those who have a strong background in the basic sciences (especially chemistry) and who are willing to relocate.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors