Forensic comes from the Latin word for public; forum
comes from the same word. The forum was the central area
of Roman towns where the public met to discuss the
important issues of the day. In modern times, the places
where issues are debated is the courthouse, therefore
forensic science is science used for the purposes of the
law, to resolve questions of public importance. There
are several kinds of forensic scientists:
Medical Examiner/Coroner
Medical examiners or coroners are physicians holding
the MD or DO degree. They have an undergraduate degree
that can be in any subject, but they have to have met
the requirements for admission to medical school
(usually introductory and organic chemistry,
introductory physics and calculus). After four years of
medical school, a prospective medical examiner does a
residency in anatomic and clinical pathology. Anatomic
pathology relates to the study of specimens; clinical
pathology is concerned with clinical laboratory work.
Then, a post-graduate fellowship in forensic pathology
takes a year or two. Although some work is routine, the
ingenious ways people find to get into trouble provide
near infinite variety. Lester Adelson, one of the giants
in the field was fond of saying, "There are only two
doors into the world, but there are thousands of exits."
Toxicologist
Forensic toxicologists are pharmacologists and
chemists that analyze body fluids and samples for licit
and illicit drugs. Not all forensic samples come from
autopsy materials, drug testing and drug monitoring are
very common tasks that are given to toxicologists.
Specimen handling and chain of custody issues are of
critical importance in forensic toxicology, to ensure
the integrity of the results.
Trace Evidence Analyst
Trace Evidence Analysts/Criminalists analyze samples
provided by the police and forensic pathologists. This
might involve looking for gunshot residue on a victim's
clothing, looking for trace evidence on a vehicle,
testing a shower curtain rod to see if it would support
a victim's body, and looking at a person's gastric
contents to see what they ate before they died, among
other tasks. A bachelor's degree in one of the natural
sciences is a bare minimum, a masters in a scientific
field is recommended. Criminalists that analyze DNA need
degrees in biology and experience using the equipment in
a DNA laboratory. Some criminalists are handwriting
experts, tool-mark experts, or fingerprint experts,
using specialized techniques to analyze the traces
people leave behind.
Forensic Engineer
Forensic Engineers have a bachelors or masters
degree, and a PE (professional engineer) certification
would not be amiss. Specialties of engineering that come
in handy are civil engineering (these people analyzed
the collapse of the World Trade Center), mechanical
engineering, electrical engineering, and materials
engineering. Most of the questions forensic engineers
are trying to answer are about why a product failed and
killed some one. This work tends to be in the civil
arena, but occasionally criminal cases are brought to
your attention.
Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic anthropologists have obtained a Ph.D. in
anthropology and specialized in physical anthropology,
the study of skeletons. There are not many of these
people around, and they all have academic careers.
Forensic questions do not come up often enough to
provide full-time work; their forensic careers are
adjuncts to their academic careers.
Forensic Dentist
Forensic odontologists are dentists with an interest
in forensic medicine. They have obtained the DMD or DDS
degrees and specialize in identifying bite marks and in
analyzing the teeth of the dead to determine identitiy.
In general, these individuals are academic dentists or
those who practice as consultants rather than being
full-time forensic scientists.
Forensic Psychiatrist
Forensic Psychiatrists and psychologists are mental
health professionals with the MD, Ph.D, or Ed.D.
degrees. Therefore, they have the initial educational
requirements of a forensic pathologist. Then these
individuals go to medical school and then do a residency
in psychiatry; or they enter a graduate training
program. A graduate fellowship in forensic psychiatry
follows. Forensic mental health experts interview people
suspected or convicted of crimes and attempt to
determine their competence to stand trial, look for
mitigating circumstances in their backgrounds, and try
to develop profiles of unknown subjects to help law
enforcement find the perpetrators.
Forensic Entomology
Forensic Entomologists examine insects for
medicolegal purposes. The time of death, for example,
might be approximated using insect evidence gathered
from and around a corpse; insects can also be analyzed
to look for drugs the decedent took. Most forensic
entomologists are Ph.D. academics who consult on the
side.
Educational Requirements for a career in forensic
sciences:
To be a forensic scientist one needs, at a minimum, a
bachelors degree in one of the natural sciences.
Chemistry is very practical, as it will allow you to do
forensic work or industrial work. If you are interested
in DNA, medicine, or dentistry, a biology or
biochemistry degree is useful. Statistics is another
useful subject to be familiar with. Forensic scientists
need to present their findings clearly and effectively;
therefore training in theater, debate, or other public
speaking venues are helpful.
The Master of Science in Anatomy may prove useful for
several career paths in forensic sciences. Extensive
anatomic training in anatomy is useful in pathology, and
there are applications for forensic radiology and
forensic odontology as well. Also, a strong natural
science background is helpful for someone who is
interested in a criminalist position.
Here are some references that might prove helpful:
Furton, K., Hsu, Y-H., Cole, MD. What
educational background do crime laboratory director
require from applicants? J Forensic Sci,
1999;44(1):128-132.
Siegal, JA. The appropriate educational
background for entry level forensic scientists: a
survey of practitioners. J Forensic Sci,
1988;33:1065-8.
Smith, FP, Lui RH, Lindquist CA. Research
experience and future criminalists. J Forensic Sci,
1988;33:1074-80.
And here are links for further information:
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