| Forensic science is not new; in fact, it was used as far | | | | (5) The ability to speak confidently since many |
| back as the 18th century. It just wasn't as well known | | | | forensics experts are called upon to testify in court |
| as it is in contemporary day. With the discovery of | | | | proceedings |
| DNA and the power it has in proving or disproving | | | | Of course, this list is by no means all-inclusive; it is, |
| theories of crime, along with popular television shows | | | | however, a good place to start. While the salaries will |
| inundating our televisions, forensics has now become | | | | vary greatly depending on one's education level, the |
| mainstream. With so many new advances in the way | | | | job itself and the level of experience, there are |
| blood is collected and analyzed, the many purposes of | | | | unlimited opportunities for career advancement; |
| DNA testing and even the way fingerprints are | | | | therefore, salary advancements will increase too. The |
| evaluated, it's a lucrative career choice for many. | | | | environment a forensic scientist works in includes |
| According to Employment Crossing founder, A. | | | | laboratories, offices, medical examiner's offices, |
| Harrison Barnes, forensic science brings together the | | | | hospitals, toxicology labs and any other settings where |
| scientific, medical and justice systems. It's an exciting | | | | evidence is collected, stored and/or analyzed. Many |
| career opportunity and it could even be said forensics | | | | forensic experts work for the federal government or |
| is by far the most important witness in any court trial. | | | | sometimes, even state or local governments. |
| It's that scientific evidence that is always concrete and | | | | Finally, with the advances made in digital and |
| never circumstantial a forensic scientist brings to the | | | | multimedia sciences, many forensics personnel are |
| table. Often, it determines guilt or innocence. | | | | delving into this new specialty. It makes sense because |
| So what does a forensic scientist look like? A. Harrison | | | | photographs and other imaging is used to document |
| Barnes has a few suggestions for those interested | | | | crime scenes, autopsies and even mug shots taken at |
| and intrigued by this important facet of science: | | | | the time of arrest. These examiners work to ensure |
| (1) In terms of education, one needs at a minimum a | | | | digital images collected as evidence from crime |
| bachelor's in science along with studies in forensic | | | | scenes have not been tampered with. For example, if |
| sciences, chemistry, biology, English composition, etc. | | | | a photograph is found that shows someone in a |
| (2) Commitment to continuing education courses | | | | compromising position, the digital forensics team goes |
| (3) A sense of ethics and ability to remain unbiased | | | | to work to ensure it's accurate and has not been |
| (4) The ability to write well - this is important since | | | | modified in a computer program. It's not only still |
| many reports are compiled for use by lawyers and | | | | images, but video is often analyzed as well. |
| other aspects of the judicial system | | | | |