Forensic Science Jobs – All About Careers In Forensic Science

Forensic science is the application of scientific techniques and methods to investigate crimes and present evidence in court. It involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting physical evidence to determine a case’s facts and establish the identity of suspects and victims.

Forensic science is a multidisciplinary field that draws on various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. It involves using different techniques and tools, such as DNA analysis, fingerprint analysis, ballistics analysis, and toxicology.

Forensic scientists work closely with law enforcement agencies and criminal investigators to collect and analyze evidence at crime scenes. They also work in forensic labs to analyze evidence and provide expert testimony in court.
Forensic science has many applications, including criminal investigations, civil litigation, and forensic pathology. For example, forensic scientists may use DNA analysis to identify suspects in criminal cases, or they may use toxicology to determine the cause of death in a forensic autopsy.

Forensic science is an ever-evolving field, with new technologies and techniques constantly developing. Forensic scientists must stay up-to-date with the latest research and advancements to provide accurate and reliable results.
Forensic science is critical to the criminal justice system, providing scientific evidence to support investigations and court cases. It is a complex and challenging field that requires a combination of scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills to be successful.

Areas Of Forensic Science

Criminalistics: This area of forensic science involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence found at crime scenes, such as fingerprints, DNA, and ballistics.
Forensic pathology: This area of forensic science deals with the examination of the human body to determine the cause of death. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies and analyze medical evidence to determine the cause of death.
Forensic psychology: This area of forensic science involves the application of psychological principles and techniques to legal issues and criminal behavior. Forensic psychologists may work with criminal defendants to evaluate their mental state, or with victims to assess the psychological impact of a crime.
Forensic anthropology: This area of forensic science deals with the identification of human remains, particularly when the remains are incomplete or fragmentary. Forensic anthropologists use techniques from archaeology and physical anthropology to identify remains and determine the cause of death.
Forensic chemistry: This area of forensic science involves the analysis of chemical compounds and substances to determine their composition and origin. This includes analyzing drugs and toxins, as well as identifying unknown substances found at crime scenes.
Digital forensics: This area of forensic science deals with the recovery, analysis, and interpretation of digital evidence, including data stored on computers, smartphones, and other digital devices.
Forensic document examination: This area of forensic science involves the examination of written or printed documents to determine their authenticity and to identify forgeries or alterations.
Forensic odontology: This area of forensic science deals with the identification of individuals through the examination of their teeth and jaws.

Here are few general criminal justice jobs in forensic department that one can pursue to start a promising career ahead

Forensic Anthropologist

Forensic Anthropologists are pros of human Remain stays and therefore are frequently known as to get the job done in forensic investigations specially within the scenarios in which fatalities have happened as a result of natural disasters or because of crime. Utilizing the understanding of bones that an anthropologist has the capability to learn the true cause supporting the death of somebody.

The average annual salary of a forensic anthropologist is $50,165

Ballistics Expert

Ballistic experts are the people who gather evidence about any crime in which firearms were involved. In recent years, crimes using firearms have increased in the US. Nearly 70% of murders were committed using guns.

The ballistic experts collect pieces of evidence from crime scenes and perform analysis on them.

After analyzing the situation carefully they fill the blanks of crimes that have firearms involvement. A ballistic expert has full knowledge of firearms, bullets and their construction.

Ballistic experts are usually hired by state or federal government and play an important role in solving the complex crime scenes.

The average salary for ballistic experts is $55,000 annually.

Forensic Serologist

Forensic serology can be just a science that addresses all the identification and characterization of biological signs. These biological evidences aid the detectives establish the offenders in virtually any offense. The biological evidences incorporate the fluids out of your system like semen, urine and saliva and breast milk. Thus a forensic serologist can be somebody that gets got the understanding the way to exactly to use those biological evidences for identification of criminal.

The average salary for ballistic experts is $58230 annually.

Forensic DNA analyst

DNA is getting greater prominence within the business of criminology and forensic science as it’s a distinctive genetic programming for each man which can make him separate from the other individual being. As a result of the uniqueness of this the outcome gained out of it’s very near perfection. The consequences of DNA are regarded as more exact compared to fingerprints.

According to the bureau of Labor statistics, the average annual salary of a forensic DNA analyst is $62,490.

Polygraph Examiner

Polygraph analyzing can be a significant tool in resolving offense and differentiating that the witnesses and suspects. The polygraph examiners are skilled to make use of lie detectors and give examination of their outcome. Even the examiners endure a lengthy practice to nourish their own abilities plus they’re frequently utilized in internal administrative analyses of law-enforcement personals.

The average annual salary of a polygraph examiner is $58,230

Forensic Document Examiner

Forensic document examiners aid resolving the offense by simply assessing the validity of the record. This is of record supplied by south-eastern institution of forensic document examiners is”any such thing that’s indicate, symbol or sign which communicates message into somebody else”. The absolute most essential records which those forensic records examiners test are lottery tickets, wills, financial institution data and letters etc.

The certification for the forensic document examiners is being done by American board of forensic document examiners.

The average annual salary of a forensic document examiner is $57,850

Forensic Toxicologist

Lots of crimes nowadays demand a poison stepping the body as driving while impaired, medication misuse or abuse. Law and Meditation enforcement personals look for assistance from forensic toxicologist whenever they guess that a compound substance is connected to some crime.

According to bureau of labor statistics the field of forensic technicians which includes forensic toxicology is expected to grow 17% in the upcoming years.

The average annual salary of a forensic toxicologist is $ 59,000

Forensic Accountant

The forensic accounts have been responsible financing along with the money route. This forensic Accountant is blend of two disciplines. The first is numbers and cash and second is identification of corruption. So if you’re good in amounts and also marginally interested in exposing wrong doing this career must be the optimal selection for you. A private company is helped by A forensic accountant keep tabs on their financing or work for govt agencies to expose corruption and white collar crime.

The average annual salary of a forensics accountant is $ 70,500

Forensic Odontologist (Dentist)

Forensic Odontology can be actually a branch of forensic science that investigates crimes through the teeth. The forensic odontologist are used by detectives and police force individuals as a dental evidence should detected. Forensic odontology has performed an vital function in fixing essential high profile cases from yesteryear involving the certainty of legendary killer Ted Bundy. Which means use of forensic odontologist may perhaps not be refused when resolving a complicated cases.

The average annual salary of a forensic odontologist is $156,240

Forensic Psychologists

Forensic Psychologists utilize the fundamentals of psychology to operate together with judges, attorneys and other legal pros that will aid them know exactly the psychologists facets of these scenarios. In addition the forensic psychologist treat mentally shaky individuals for that reason the occupation might be physically and emotionally rigorous.

The average annual salary of a forensic psychologist is $ 79,010.

Blood Spatter Analyst

Blood spatter analyst investigates a crime scene where blood is involved. They collect the evidences and blood samples from the scene and after performing careful analysis, they make reports and share their findings with concerned authorities.

A blood-spatter analyst can face many disturbing crime scenes, as blood involvement is usually a sign of serious crimes. So a person must be emotionally strong to handle such situations.

The average salary of a blood-spatter analyst is $69,300. They start their career from $42,000 per and with time and expertise, can reach up to $160,000.

Crime Lab Analyst

Crime lab analysts work under local, federal or state law enforcement agencies. They study different criminal findings in a lab and make their reports after analyzing them carefully. Their findings are shared with investigation teams who may deny or agree with the findings. These reports are used in the prosecution of criminals.

Crime lab analysts make reports after careful analysis of polygraph exams, ballistic and firearm examination and toxicology screening.

Crime lab analyst, earn up to $55,660 annually.

Crime Scene Investigator

A crime scene investigator investigates a crime scene carefully and collect all the evidences.

He must be able to track criminals with knowledge of tools and techniques used in an investigation.

This position requires careful handling of investigation to track possible suspects. Crime scene investigators make reports of his findings and share them with concerned authorities.

The average salary for entry-level job js $38,000 and can reach up to $102,000 with experience, job rank, and certifications.

Crime Scene Technician

A crime scene technician needs to have exceptionally good observation skills as he will collect data from a crime scene and will observe everything that may help in solving crime. They also interview different suspects and witnesses, therefore they must possess very good communication skills. Crime scene technicians, work under law enforcement agencies and may be a sworn officer of the law. The job of crime scene investigators is high in demand.

The salary of crime scene technicians depends on their education, experience, and geographical location, as some states offer a high salary than others.

Criminal Investigations

A career in criminal investigations can ensure one’s future. If someone has an interest in forensic sciences and wants to work with law enforcement agencies than he can acquire the profession of criminal investigations.

A criminal investigator will take all the fingerprints, match DNA and will construct a crime scene on the basis of his findings.

A criminal investigator will carefully investigate every little detail from bullets to blood and fingerprints to DNA. He will also investigate people involved in the investigation. A criminal investigator will make reports of all his findings and may present them during court hearings.

Evidence Technician

An evidence technician, will collect evidence from the crime scene, process the information about evidence and transport evidence to a storage location. They may also monitor the evidence storage facility.

Their job is relatively less risky but they may need to handle evidence carefully.

The annual salary of an evidence technician is $52,000.

Forensic Investigator

A forensic investigator gathers evidence, collects every piece of information and reconstruct the crime scene. A person choosing the career of a forensic investigator must have experience in both forensics and criminal justice.

After collecting the evidence, forensic investigators will study those evidences in the lab and will make a report of how a crime was done and who are the possible suspects?

Their average salary is $52,180 and varies according to experience and geographical location.

Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists are people who know how to apply their scientific knowledge in the legal field. They help in investigations to discover the truth and solve cases. Forensic scientists provide their expert opinion on crime scenes and uncover the mysteries of crime.

They help in using scientific facts to analyze the evidence and solve the case. Forensic scientist works in different environment such as labs, crime scenes, police departments or hospitals.

They need to have a degree in forensic sciences along with courses of science, mathematics, forensic science, forensic anthropology, criminal justice, public speaking, and investigative procedures.

The average salary of a forensic scientist is $49,512. The entry-level jobs of forensic scientists have a salary of $35,450.

Computer Forensic Investigator

The job of computer forensic investigators combines the expertise of forensic science, computer science, and criminal investigation.

Nowadays, most of the crimes are done involving electronic media. A computer forensic investigator tracks the digital prints of criminal and try to reconstruct the crime.

Although the criminal may think he has deleted and destroyed all the footprints but computer forensic investigator will use advance technology and techniques to extract every bit of information which may be presented in court later on.

Those working in big cities may earn between $50,000 to $70,000

All the above-mentioned jobs in the forensic department requires criminal justice degree along with other expertise that matches the job description. An individual can start and excel in his career in any field as these jobs are high in demand and have a significant growth rate.

References:

The United States Capitol Police

Bureau of Justice

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)