*Places of Employment*
Many places are open for new employees since the need for Forensic Scientists keeps increasing.
| Sheriff's Department | Forensic Laboratories |
| State and Regional Agencies | Medical Examiners Offices |
| Colleges and Universities | Attorneys and Federal Agencies (FBI, DEA) |
| Military | Private Terms |
| Secret Service | Drug Enhancement Administration |
| Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, And Firearms | Criminal Intellectual Agencies |
| Morgues |
*Job Outlook*
In the U.S. the job rate for Forensic Science Technicians has been growing steadily and will always continue to. The estimation of about 360 jobs will open every year. The U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 20% growth in employment between 2008-2018. Also many of the television shows and movies such as NCIS, CSI, Law and Order, etc. draw more and more interest to this field.
*Hours Worked*
Most scientists are expected to work 40 hour weeks and are required to be on call 24/7.
*Benefits*
Vacations, holidays, sick leave, medical and dental insurance, and retirement plans.
*Everyday Job Life*
Forensic Science Technicians setup, operate, and maintain lab instruments, monitor experiments, make observations, calculate and record results, and often develop conclusions.
Everyday life of a Forensic Scientist holds many challenging tasks. Most have to examine, test, and analyze tissue samples, chemical substances, physical evidence and material. Also they analyze ballistics evidence using all sorts of instruments and tools such as recording, measuring, and testing equipment.
They need to be able to interpret findings and test results to identify and classify substances, materials, and every piece of evidence found at the scene.
Their eye for detail helps with collecting and preserving evidence which
is an essential. Also they need to confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning the collected evidence. One necessary task is the reconstruction of scenes to find relationships among pieces of evidence. Usually they need to prepare reports and presentations of findings, investigative methods, or lab techniques. The biggest duty of the day is testifying as an expert witness on evidence or lab techniques in trials and hearings.
*Education*
Many people will hire workers with bachelors or associates degrees and have completed specific training or achieved a certification.
Important courses that should be taken: Chemistry, Computers and electronics, law and Government, public safety, mathematics, writing and communications, pharmacology, and Quantative analysis. Lots of experience will also help get you off to a good start such as school internships.
Some places require undergraduate degrees in bio-chem, pre-med, or microbiology.
Minimum of a high school diploma or GED is acceptable but its hard to find a job without more experience.
*Training Requirements*
- Four year Bachelors degree in lab based scientific discipline: physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, medical technology, or genetics.
- Law and communication classes are helpful.
- Bachelors in Natural Science or Forensic Science
- knowledge of Public Safety and Security
- Graduate degree is exceptable for some employers
- No certificates are required, but do help.
- Seminars and conferences
- Strong emphasis in Criminal Justice
* You may need to continue education courses during your career to keep up with the most current knowledge and technology as they keep changing.
*Physical Requirements*
There are many physical requirements and skills needed to become a forensic Scientist. You need to be able to handle working with others in all types of situations. Having an eye for detail by recognizing patterns and being organized is an essential. Also the skill to interpret scientific results. It is a must to be diligent, methodical, and precise in all your work. Critical thinking, computer proficiency, time management, and discussion making are also some major skills needed. Plus, collecting biological and non-biological samples such as blood, human wastes, soil, water, and industrial samples takes being very careful with your work. This line of work can be very stress full and emotionally altering. You must be able to handle and control your emotions.
*Salary*
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experienced criminalists can earn an annual salary between $35,000 and $50,000. Mostly Federal Criminalists earn more. The pay rate and Salary of a Forensic Science Technician is varied by experience or area of work.
The hourly pay is $24.19.
The lowest pay is 12.06/hr or $25,100/yr.
The highest pay is $31,49 or 65,500/yr.
To get a higher salary besides getting more educational experience it is a good idea to find a federal, local, or state governmental area for work. Employee rates depend on location, field development, government money and spending abilities. Also the local population growth and locality's crime rate is accounted for.
*Colleges*
*All of the following colleges have forensic science as a Graduate or Undergraduate degree.
| Albany State | Arcadia University |
| Ceder Crest College | Eastern Kentucky University |
| Florida International | Marshall University |
| Metropolitan State College of Denver | University of New Haven |
| Ohio State | West Chester University |
| West Virginia University | University of Mississippi |
| University of Central Florida | loyola University, New Orleans |
| Kaplan university | Strayer University |
| University of Maryland University College | American Intercontinental university |
| Walden University | Everest University |
| Ashford | Colorado Tech. |
| Penn State | Boston University |
| George Washington University | Weber State |
*Sources*
www.certforensictechnician.com
criminaljusticeusa.com
educationnal_portal.com/forensic_science.html
www.calmis.gov.ca.gov/file/occguide/criminist.htm
ncjrs.gov/pdffilesi/nij/203099.pdf
careerplanning.about.com/cs/occupations/p/Forensc_tech.htm
forensicscience.net
www.all-about-forensic-science.com
www.crime-scene-investigator.net/csi-training.html
education-portal.com
www.ehow.com/list_7231433_forensic-science-technician-requirements.html
If you have any questions or comments please email me at katrinstem@gmail.com
If you have any questions or comments please email me at katrinstem@gmail.com
