Pathology Science

BY: KEVIN MICELI AND KARRY HORTON

What is Forensic Science?

Forensic science is the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past which is then used in a court of law.

What do forensic Scientist do?

A forensic science technician is someone who helps investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Most technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis. Crime scene investigators may work long hours under distressing conditions.

How do I become my specific kind of forensics scientist.

Required Education M.D.

Other Requirements Residency

Licensure Required

Projected Job Growth (2012-2022)* 18% (for physicians and surgeons)

Average Salary (2013)* $187,200 (for physicians and surgeons

What type of evidence do I work with.

A forensic pathologist will examine the human remains (post-mortem examination) and consider death scene findings. The medical history of the individual may also be reviewed to help determine if the death was natural, accidental or criminal.

How much money do I make?

$218,180

Where will I work, when will I be called in to do my job?

Crime scene lab, when they need to determine the death of a body

Ted Bundy

Although serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for an estimated 30-plus murders, there was little physical evidence to connect him to the crimes when he was arrested in 1975. Two years later, having been convicted only of kidnapping, Bundy was preparing to stand trial for murder in Colorado when he escaped and headed to Florida. There, he killed three more people early in 1978, and when he was finally captured in February of that year, the physical evidence in those cases led to his conviction. Most crucial was the matching of a bite mark on the buttock of victim Lisa Levy to the Bundy’s distinctive, crooked and chipped teeth. He was convicted also of the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach based on fibers found in his van that matched the girl’s clothing. Bundy was put to death in 1989.