What is Forensic Science?What is Forensic Science?

The study and application of science to The study and application of science to matters of lawmatters of law

Also known as CriminalisticsAlso known as Criminalistics

Forensic scientists use crime labs to help Forensic scientists use crime labs to help them examine evidence. Most labs include them examine evidence. Most labs include several departments.several departments.

How Do I Become a Forensic Scientist?

You will need:- a bachelor's degree — get one in science; some forensic sciences require advanced degrees; take chemistry, biology, math, English composition

Characteristics of a Forensic Scientist:- good speaking skills — take public speaking, join the drama club, the debate team

- good note-taking skills — you can't subscribe to a service or depend on Cliffs Notes in real life!

- the ability to write an understandable scientific reports

- intellectual curiosity and use of deductive reasoning

- personal integrity

Forensic Crime LabsForensic Crime LabsFederal and State LevelFederal and State Level

Federal Labs Include:Federal Labs Include:

FBI –Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI –Federal Bureau of Investigation

DEA- Drug Enforcement AgencyDEA- Drug Enforcement Agency

USSS –U.S. Secret ServiceUSSS –U.S. Secret Service

ATF-Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and FirearmsATF-Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

USPS-U. S. Postal Inspection Services USPS-U. S. Postal Inspection Services

Specialized unitsSpecialized units

Evidence CollectionEvidence Collection ArsonArson BiosciencesBiosciences BallisticsBallistics Document examinationDocument examination PhotographyPhotography Toxicology and Drug AnalysisToxicology and Drug Analysis FingerprintsFingerprints

Specialized Fields Specialized Fields continuedcontinued AnthropologyAnthropology PsychiatryPsychiatry OdontologyOdontology EngineeringEngineering Computer TechnologyComputer Technology PathologyPathology GeologyGeology Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science EntomologyEntomology PolygraphyPolygraphy Voice Print AnalysisVoice Print Analysis

ForensicForensicScienceScienceFieldsFields

The roles and responsibilities of the forensic pathologist include: •Determining cause of death •Forensic examination of the body (external/internal/clothing) •Identifying absense/presence of disease from tissue samples •Examining post mortem wounds & Injuries •Collaborative evidence collection e.g. blood, hair, semen samples passed to criminalists, toxicologists etc for specialist analysis •Collaborative investigation e.g. body identification work with forensic odontologists (dentists) and physical anthropologists. •Acting as an expert witness in civil/criminal proceedings

Forensic Pathologist/Medical Examiner

Forensic toxicology encompasses the measurement of alcohol, drugs and other toxic substances in biological specimens and interpretation of such results in a medical legal context.

Forensic Entomology is the science of using insect evidence to uncover circumstances of interest to the law, often related to a crime. As an example, they point to time of death, which can be established using insect evidence gathered from and around a corpse.

Forensic Odontology is a branch of forensic medicine and, in the interests of justice, deals with the proper examination, handling and presentation of dental evidence in a court of law.

forensic anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process. The identification of skeletal, badly decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains is important for both legal and humanitarian reasons.

Forensic Photography Visual documentation of death scenes, crime scenes, accident scenes. Includes macrophotography (of small evidentiary materials such as projectiles, blood spatter, close-ups of evidence at death scenes, the decendent, etc.)

DNA Analysis/ Molecular BiologyAnalysis of DNA for purposes of human identification .Careers include laboratory positions or university faculty/research positions. Requires the MS and PhD in biology, with an emphasis on molecular biology . Focus is on genetics

Law Attorneys tie in with forensic science since they are concerned with legal issues. Consider a career in law tied to either criminal law or environmental law Careers: many; private practice, federal, state, and local government positions, university faculty positions, etc.

Homicide Detective/ Crime Scene Investigator

Investigation of death scenes Collection of evidence associated with death(s) Processing of evidence Administrative work associated with investigating deaths Careers include positions in police departments, sheriff's offices, or with mobile crime units, military, federal agencies Requires certification as police officer or other certification (e.g., medico-legal death investigator training, the BA in criminal justice) Focus in on the death scene, crime scene, and who or what was responsible for death(s)

As a Ballistic expert, you might fire test shots from a weapon, compare bullet fragments or shell casings, present ballistic evidence at a trial as an expert witness, or use an etching process to restore eradicated serial numbers. You may even determine the angle and distance from which a shot was fired based on ballistics theory.

•Forensic Nursing•Recognition of cases of abuse--child physical or sexual abuse, adult domestic violence, and rape, typically in hospital emergency room situations •Careers include positions as a nurse in a hospital setting, for physicians in private practice, rape crisis centers, etc. •Requires the BS in nursing and additional forensic nursing training •Focus is on living people

What field or area of Forensic science interest you most?

Choose 3 areas of interest and be prepared to research information about one area. Investigate the following information and be prepared to answer questions about your topic.

Requirements:

•Topic•Job Description•Education Required•Salary•Why did you choose this topic?•Other interesting facts