Forensic Scientist
A forensic scientist, also known as a crime laboratory analyst or crime scene investigator, plays a crucial role in the legal system by collecting, analyzing, and documenting physical evidence from crime scenes. Their work spans various subfields, including criminalistics, digital forensics, and forensic archaeology, requiring specialized knowledge and skills. Forensic scientists typically follow a systematic workflow that involves evidence collection, testing, analysis, and expert testimony in court. They work in diverse environments, including laboratories and crime scenes, often under high-stress conditions that demand meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical abilities.
Individuals pursuing a career as a forensic scientist usually obtain a bachelor's degree in forensic science or a related field, complemented by relevant internships to gain practical experience. The job involves utilizing advanced analytical tools such as DNA fingerprinting and ballistics analysis, and requires effective communication skills to collaborate with legal professionals and law enforcement. With the increasing complexity of crime scene investigations, forensic scientists are essential in ensuring the integrity of evidence and aiding in the justice process.
Forensic Scientist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Law, Public Safety & Security, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Criminal science, investigative work, laboratory work, analyzing data
Earnings (Yearly Average): $63,740 per year $30.64 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 13% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Forensic scientists, also referred to as crime laboratory analysts, crime scene investigators, or evidence technicians, most often investigate crime scenes and collect and analyze physical evidence for the legal system. Some forensic scientists specialize in one of several subfields, examining historical materials and evidence at archeological sites or other locations. All forensic scientists follow the same general workflow, which involves collecting and storing evidence, performing tests on collected evidence, analyzing test results, and documenting all evidence collected, tests performed, and results obtained. Sometimes, there is the additional task of providing expert testimony in criminal trials. Forensic scientists specializing in archeology are sometimes asked to testify at civil trials, where they use DNA testing, analysis of skeletal measurements and characteristics, and other expertise to help resolve disputes over the origin of recently discovered bones.
Work Environment. Forensic scientists spend their workdays both gathering physical evidence from crime scenes and documenting, testing, and analyzing physical crime-scene evidence in laboratories. Forensic laboratories are usually located in police departments, educational institutions, or government agencies, such as Preservation Virginia at Jamestown and the Smithsonian Institution. Laboratories are usually sterile and well-ventilated. Human interaction in forensic laboratories tends to be limited to laboratory staff and criminal investigators. Forensic scientists generally work forty hours or more per week. In addition to day shifts, forensic scientists must be on call during evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the legal system for accurate and timely crime scene investigations and evidence testing.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of forensic scientist tend to be intelligent, analytical, and detail-oriented. Successful forensic scientists display traits such as good eyesight, focus, dependability, and responsibility. A high tolerance for stress, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to handle evidence of violence and injury calmly and objectively are also desirable qualities in a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists should enjoy spending time in laboratory settings and have a strong background in criminal science and investigation.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The specific daily occupational duties and responsibilities of a forensic scientist are determined by the individual’s area of job specialization and work environment. Forensic scientists can specialize in criminalistics, digital forensic science, forensic archeology and anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic geology, forensic meteorology, forensic odontology, forensic pathology, forensic psychology, and forensic toxicology.
In most cases, at the beginning of a project, forensic scientists collect crime scene evidence, preserve crime scene evidence following standard and legally approved protocols, photograph crime scenes to document the position and place of evidence, and perform bloodstain pattern analysis and weapons tests as necessary. Depending on the nature of the crime scene evidence, they may also analyze fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids found on the crime scene. Forensic scientists use such tools as facial reconstruction, DNA fingerprinting, ballistics, DNA profiling, footwear analysis, and bloodstain pattern analysis to inform crime scene investigations and criminal prosecutions.
Once they have returned to the office, forensic scientists may perform fingerprint testing, comparing evidence found at crime scenes with criminal fingerprint databases, such as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). Sometimes, they are asked to reconstruct crime scenes to aid in criminal investigations where police have insufficient leads or need additional evidence before arresting a suspect.
Carefully documenting all physical evidence collected and methods used to test evidence is extremely important: if the evidence collected and conclusions drawn are used at trial, the methods used to obtain the evidence will come under greater scrutiny. Forensic scientists typically prepare reports for investigators and criminal lawyers and/or provide expert testimony in criminal trials. They frequently respond to requests from criminal investigators for information about crime scenes or evidence testing.
In addition to the range of responsibilities described above, all forensic scientists are responsible for setting up, calibrating, and sterilizing all forensic laboratory equipment and materials on an ongoing basis.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of forensic scientists varies based on their employer and specialization. Forensic scientists spend their workdays at crime scenes, archeological sites or other locations, and in laboratories. Forensic laboratories may be located in police departments, state or federal agencies, educational institutions, or independent businesses.
Human Environment. Forensic scientists should be comfortable interacting with laboratory staff, supervisors, police, and criminal investigators. They may also work with prosecutors and other members of the legal system during the course of a court trial. Experienced forensic scientists sometimes must help train new laboratory technicians in laboratory techniques and protocols.
Technological Environment. Forensic scientists use analytical tools, such as facial reconstruction, DNA fingerprinting, ballistics, DNA profiling, footwear analysis, and bloodstain pattern analysis, to assist with crime scene investigations and criminal prosecutions. Forensic scientists should be confident using blood collection kits, DNA collection kits, evidence or specimen jars, measuring tapes, ultraviolet lights, electronic databases, and scientific and photo-imaging software programs. Forensic scientists should also be familiar with Internet communication tools and software, such as word processing and spreadsheets, for the administrative aspects of their jobs.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as forensic scientists should prepare themselves by developing good study habits and by taking anthropology, biology, chemistry, anatomy, psychology, and mathematics courses. Due to the diversity of forensic scientist responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path may benefit from seeking internships or part-time jobs that expose them to the legal system or laboratory settings and procedures.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming forensic scientists should earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a related field, such as biochemistry, archeology, or premedical studies. Coursework in anatomy, psychology, statistics, laboratory procedures, criminology, and mathematics may also prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in laboratory or criminal law settings.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Forensic Science Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.