A forensic science technician is a professional puzzle solver dealing with high-stake, crime-solving puzzles.
You can obtain training in forensic science by working for a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. The subjects covered could include biology, criminology, clinical lab science, and toxicology. All levels of study can be pursued online, enabling you to earn your degree even as you work. A certificate can be obtained in a year, while an associate's degree takes two years and a bachelor's degree four years. By first obtaining a certificate or associate's degree, and then enrolling for a bachelor’s degree you can avail of credit transfer facilities to lessen the time taken to get your final degree.
Apart from classroom knowledge, a forensic science technician should remain calm under distressing circumstances. They have to analyze the bodily fluids of victims of grave crimes. By remaining calm and objective, you will be able to gather scientific evidence. The job involves collecting evidence not assigning meaning to it. The latter is the responsibility of police officials and detectives. You also need strong organizational, communication, and computer skills to succeed in this field.
Increasingly, law enforcement agencies place importance on obtaining an insider's view of the crime, and, therefore, turning to forensic psychology. A forensic psychologist is sometimes retained to train police officials and detectives. Besides, many police officers and detectives are studying forensic psychology with financial assistance from their departments.
Those wanting a career in forensic psychology should obtain you’re a bachelor's degree in psychology, and then enroll for a course in law enforcement or a graduate degree program in forensic psychology. Another route is to obtain a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, specializing in forensic psychology. Police officers or employees in the criminal justice field can gain better insights in to solving crimes by studying forensic psychology. This will help them obtain promotions as well.
You can take an online forensic psychology course, obviating the need to quit your present job. An online forensic psychology degree could teach law enforcement safety, personality assessment, criminal investigative psychology, deviant social groups, and behavioral science. Whichever course you choose, you need to ensure that you study law, psychology, and forensics. A master's or doctoral degree is essential to become a licensed forensic psychologist.
Scientific methods and principles are used by forensic scientist to resolve legal issues. A forensic scientist plays a vital role in solving crimes. They analyze physical evidence, prepare reports to inform law enforcement officials of their findings, and act as expert witnesses in courts.
Online degree programs in forensic science with accreditation by the American Academy of Forensic Science are available. You can choose to obtain a bachelor's in forensic science or forensics and toxicology, an associate's degree in forensic science, or a bachelor's in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, natural science, or genetic engineering and specialize in forensic science. Alternatively, you can work toward a master's degree or a PhD in forensic science. You can also earn a certificate in forensic science.
Though coursework depends on the level of the degree, all levels teach science and math with focus on chemistry, biology, calculus, and physics. Other subjects include quantitative analysis and statistics, as well as specific forensics courses such as criminal evidence, forensic microscopy, and courtroom testimony.
The field of forensics aids the police, doctors, lawyers, and the government in analyzing and collecting evidence. Many fields depend on forensics to evaluate death and crime scenes. Forensics is a technical discipline needing extensive knowledge of chemistry. Forensic scientists need to learn laboratory techniques. They should be able to use trace quantities of evidence without violating it. This evidence has to be used to make major decisions. Forensics will train you to use minimal data to your advantage.
The field of forensics offers scope for specialization. Forensics professionals can also work in the medical sector. They study corpses to find the cause of death. Forensics experts trained for this are needed to determine the official cause of death. Some forensics experts work in the legal sector. They are taught to evaluate evidence in criminal cases. They learn to assist the police, lawyers, and government. Though dangerous, these forensics experts find excitement in unpredictable projects that need cutting-edge research and the use of emerging instruments and technologies.
You can advance in your career in forensics after gaining experience and demonstrating skill. For this, and to get better salaries, you need to keep updating and expanding your skill sets. This can be done by enrolling in part-time, online courses. They will keep you updated on emerging methods to improve your forensics skills.
As forensics has become technical with the use of digital technologies and computers, there is increasing demand for people with advanced degrees in science. Though few institutions offer advanced forensics degrees, many offer such degrees in laboratory sciences.
Forensic psychology connects psychology with the criminal justice system. It involves understanding the workings of criminal law in relevant jurisdictions to be able to help attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals. A forensic psychologist must have the capacity to testify in court. You should be able to restate psychological findings in legal language also explain the case to legal staff. With the improvements in judicial systems in our country and globally, the demand for forensic psychologists has been strong.