How to Get a Forensic Job: 10 Easy Steps

WelcomeWelcome

How to Get a Forensic JobHow to Get a Forensic Job

10 Easy Steps10 Easy Steps

Stay Connected! Get Trained!Stay Connected! Get Trained!

Forensic ScienceForensic Science

Mixing Science with the LawMixing Science with the Law Science assists law enforcement Science assists law enforcement Helps to exonerate or convict Helps to exonerate or convict Many applications and specialtiesMany applications and specialties

– OdontologyOdontology– AccountingAccounting– EngineeringEngineering– CSI, Pathology, AnthroplogyCSI, Pathology, Anthroplogy

Get ExposedGet Exposed

CSI EffectCSI Effect

Start ReadingStart Reading

Build your vocabularyBuild your vocabulary Increase confidenceIncrease confidence Introduces new “worlds”Introduces new “worlds” NewspaperNewspaper True Crime BooksTrue Crime Books TextbooksTextbooks Professional JournalsProfessional Journals

NewspapersNewspapers

Different CasesDifferent Cases Read about principle players in the caseRead about principle players in the case Learn about science being applied to old Learn about science being applied to old

casescases NetworkingNetworking

True CrimeTrue CrimeLearn about case from beginning to the endLearn about case from beginning to the endPrinciple playersPrinciple playersForensic Investigations explainedForensic Investigations explainedProvides insight into law enforcement Provides insight into law enforcement proceduresproceduresLearn about motivation and psychology of Learn about motivation and psychology of the killer or killersthe killer or killers

Forensic TextbooksForensic Textbooks

Many, many topicsMany, many topics Great start Introduction to Forensic ScienceGreat start Introduction to Forensic Science Widely available (used, thrift stores)Widely available (used, thrift stores) Able to read about other forensic specialties Able to read about other forensic specialties

and learn which one interests you the mostand learn which one interests you the most Written by forensic expertsWritten by forensic experts Case examplesCase examples

Get EducatedGet Educated

High SchoolHigh School

Start PlanningStart Planning Science Science MathMath EnglishEnglish

CollegeCollege

Biology/ChemistryBiology/Chemistry MathMath EnglishEnglish Criminal Justice with minorCriminal Justice with minor Other with minorOther with minor

Back It UpBack It Up

All good plans need a backupAll good plans need a backup Think about “what if’s”Think about “what if’s” What else can you do?What else can you do? Additional Degree?Additional Degree? Another career goal?Another career goal?

REPEAT REPEAT

All GREAT plans need a backupAll GREAT plans need a backup

VolunteerVolunteer

Building NetworkBuilding Network Churches, law enforcement, community Churches, law enforcement, community

centers, schools, hospitals centers, schools, hospitals ExperienceExperience

– People skillsPeople skills– Variety of SituationsVariety of Situations– Giving back to communityGiving back to community

Where Can I Start?Where Can I Start?

HospitalsHospitals Community CentersCommunity Centers

– NetworkingNetworking– Possible City Job LeadsPossible City Job Leads

Police AgenciesPolice Agencies– Volunteer programVolunteer program– Explorer ProgramExplorer Program– Community ServiceCommunity Service

ResumeResume

Heck, why do you need one?Heck, why do you need one? Shows experience and skillsShows experience and skills Can showcase related coursesCan showcase related courses Volunteer experienceVolunteer experience Work experienceWork experience

Resume TipResume Tip

Take it with you!Take it with you! USBUSB Have UPDATED copies available Have UPDATED copies available

– In your car (protected)In your car (protected)– In your home (protected)In your home (protected)– Cloud SystemCloud System

Professional Organizations Professional Organizations Very ImportantVery Important

Download resource sheet Download resource sheet Offers networkingOffers networking Taken more seriouslyTaken more seriously Place on Resume and Business CardsPlace on Resume and Business Cards ConferencesConferences

– WorkshopsWorkshops– SeminarsSeminars– VendorsVendors

ExamplesExamples

International Association of IdentificationInternational Association of Identification State Divisions of IAIState Divisions of IAI Local OrganizationsLocal Organizations Support Local Police OrganizationsSupport Local Police Organizations SCAFO (Southern California Association of SCAFO (Southern California Association of

Fingerprint Officers)Fingerprint Officers)

NetworkingNetworking

Leads to mentoringLeads to mentoring Job leadsJob leads Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation Personal interestPersonal interest Career tips from professionalsCareer tips from professionals Mentors=friendshipMentors=friendship

Networking TipsNetworking Tips

Download the Tip SheetDownload the Tip Sheet Reference Letters are a “gift”Reference Letters are a “gift”

– Ask from mentors, past professional associatesAsk from mentors, past professional associates– Positive Relationships=great lettersPositive Relationships=great letters

TrainingTraining

Community CollegesCommunity Colleges Police DepartmentsPolice Departments City DepartmentsCity Departments Local UniversitiesLocal Universities Forensic Training ProgramsForensic Training Programs Community CentersCommunity Centers Online CoursesOnline Courses

Training for Training for YOUYOU

Forensic Training Forensic Training UnlimitedUnlimited

Online coursesOnline courses

WebinarWebinar

SeminarsSeminars

WorkshopsWorkshops

Free resources (ebooks, Free resources (ebooks, articles, job leads—must articles, job leads—must be a member of the be a member of the facebook group)facebook group)

Forensic Science Forensic Science AcademyAcademy

Training ResourcesTraining Resources

UniversitiesUniversities– CalState FullertonCalState Fullerton

– UC RiversideUC Riverside

– CalState Los AngelesCalState Los Angeles

– George Washington George Washington (DC)(DC)

– Penn State UniversityPenn State University

– Texas A & MTexas A & M

Jan Johnson Jan Johnson National Institute of National Institute of

JusticeJustice Stapleton & Stapleton &

AssociatesAssociates RTI InternationalRTI International University of Florida University of Florida

(online)(online)

Stay Determined Stay Determined and Laser and Laser FocusedFocused

Job MarketJob Market– ChallengingChallenging– SaturatedSaturated– Budget CutsBudget Cuts– DemandingDemanding– FrustratingFrustrating

Job TitlesJob Titles

Evidence TechnicianEvidence Technician Crime Scene InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator Forensic PhotographerForensic Photographer Forensic AttendantForensic Attendant Forensic AssistantForensic Assistant Fingerprint TechnicianFingerprint Technician Property Room TechnicianProperty Room Technician

Thank YouThank You

Connect Connect – facebook.com/ftu187facebook.com/ftu187– @forensic 187@forensic 187– forensicscienceacademy.orgforensicscienceacademy.org– blog.forensictrainingunlimited.comblog.forensictrainingunlimited.com– YouTube/forensictrainingunlimitedYouTube/forensictrainingunlimited– terriarmenta@forensictrainingunlimited.comterriarmenta@forensictrainingunlimited.com

Stay Connected. Get Trained!!