Interview with Aric Dutelle director of Forensic Investigation Program and UW-Platteville
Key:
| # - Question asked |
|
- What classes in high school should you take to get you started?
- Science (biology and chemistry), political science, sociology, psychology
2. What skills do you need to acquire?
- Attention to detail, ability to write proficiently, public speaking, patience!
3. What kind of early experience should you get involved with?
- Science club, undergraduate/high school research/competitions.
4. How do you succeed in this career field?
- Constant, continuing education...
5. What college courses should be taken to earn a degree?
- Hard science courses (biology and chemistry), criminal justice, political science, sociology, psychology.
6. Why is this career a good option?
- Job stability, flexibility
7. How many years of schooling is needed?
- Bachelor's of science degree (4 years)
8. What qualifications would you need (act scores, test scores, etc)?
- College adimission
9. What level of work would you be able to enter into after earning a bachelors or masters?
- Two answers: Bachelors could mean anything from a police officer with skills necessary to be responsible for evidence documentation, collection, and preservation to an entry level forensic scientist in a crime lab, most likely in fingerprints or drug toxicology. With a masters degree, DNA and other possibilities exist.
10. Why did you decide to focus on forensics?
- The field found me. I was in the military and then a police officer. After working many crime scenes, I wanted to graduate school for forensic science and have continued to further my experience and education within the field of forensics.
