Forensic science as a career? i seriously need alot of help in this place?

Question

my dream is the crime lab. i want to make my life in Forensic Science.There are many types of fields in forensic. i dont know exactly what my type is called. i want to be in the lab matching fingerprints,footprints,fibers,DNA,track... hair samples,bullets gunshots and all that stuff they do in the lab to help the victums. i would like to know more information about this and i want to know how much pay a person gets in this field. i would be really thankful for the help

Answer 1

The position you are describing is a "generalist" or "criminologist" in the crime lab.  This position basically does not exist.

Forensic Scientists are highly specialized.  A Forensic Scientist doing DNA will not be matching fingerprints, analyzing drugs, or examining firearms.  

The vast majority of Forensic Scientists focus on one particular field and become experts in that field (Firearms, Trace Analysis, Drug Analysis, Handwriting Comparisons, DNA,....).

The amount of education and training to become proficient in all of these different fields would be staggering.  Additionally, part of maintaining credentials as a Forensic Scientist include proficiency testing on a routine basis.  If proficiency tests had to be performed in all of these varying fields by a single analyst, they would never get any real casework done.

Here's a breakdown of the work of a DNA analyst:

I examine items of evidence submitted to the laboratory (I do not go to the crime scene and investigate) for the presence of bodily fluids (blood, s***n, saliva, urine, f***s).

If body fluid stains are noted on the evidence, I perform chemical extraction processes to remove the DNA from the stain.

Once the DNA is removed, additional chemical processes are utilized in specific machines to replicate specific areas of DNA that can help to uniquely identify the source of the body fluid.

A comparison is then made to DNA profiles from any individuals believed to be involved in the crime (suspects and victims). If the DNA profile from the evidence matches a person, and that DNA profile is exceedingly rare, then it can be stated that they are the source of that DNA.

Reports have to be written for all testing performed, and it is possible that any one of the cases worked may end up going to trial where expert testimony is needed.

Sounds exciting doesn't it?

On a day to day basis I am dealing with bloody clothing that hasn't been washed in months, crusty underwear from violent sexual assaults, and evidence from the abuse of children.... In addition to the actual casework, there is a significant amount of Quality Control issues that need to be performed to ensure the integrity of the testing procedures. Chemicals and instruments need to be verified, supplies need to be ordered, new personnel need to be trained, new technologies need to be validated, LOTS of paperwork needs to be kept. It is also important to keep abreast of new technologies, so traveling to meetings takes even more time away from casework.

It is not an easy job, and it is certainly not for everyone. You really see the dark side of humanity, and it can affect some people... But you also get to help the community. Victims have their attackers brought to justice, and innocent people are exonerated because the DNA results indicate they are not the attacker.

The hours are basically 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. If called to testify in court on the other side of the state, I may not be getting home until late if I am the last to testify. I may also have training opportunities that require me to travel out of state for several days once or twice a year.

The starting pay for someone with a Bachelor's degree is approximately $40,000 (dependent upon the area of the country)

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences has a website with job postings around the country so that you can get a feel for what is out there and what the pay scale really is:

http://www.aafs.org/Default.asp?section_...

You can also do a search for the individual laboratory websites (maybe general State or City website) to see what job postings are listed.

State of Maryland's site:

http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/dbm_publishi...

Answer 2

http://www.science.uoit.ca/index.php?opt... -Forensics at UOIT.

http://forensics.nrdpfc.ca/ -Forensics at Trent University.

http://education-portal.com/articles/Bac... -With this, you can earn at least $60 000 a year.