What is involved in real forensic science?

Question

Hi,

I'm thinking of trying to become a forensic scientist as i'd find it interesting. In the real forensic science is it in anyway like CSI. As yeah, CSI is a great programme and the forensic in that is amazing but that's not why i want to be a forensic scientist. I'd like to be one as i think i'd find it interesting. I'd just like to know if it is in anyway like the CSI forensics. I'm not unhappy if it isn't, i'd still contemplate the job but i'd be really happy if it was like CSI.

If anyone is a forensic scientist it would be nice to hear feedback?

Thanks.

Chigurh

Answer 1

I agree for the most part w/ uncat.  I'm not sure what was meant about tests not being as accurate as CSI.  The tests done in forensics are very accurate you just have to know what you are testing for and what kind of weight to put to that analysis.

As a forensic scientist you will not be interviewing people.  Different labs in different parts of the country are set up different.  In my lab all of the forensic scientists are also on call for crime scene so we see both sides.  Many labs are too large for that.

If you look at the Greg Sanders character in the original series, that is more what you will do.  Analysis in the lab.  Detectives and the DA will bring you cases to work and you spit out results.  Sometimes people won't get results for 1 or 2 years (although the work can be done relatively fast on an individual basis).

I love what I do.  But you have to be willing to see disturbing things, work sometimes long overtime mandatory hours, take a pay cut from what you might otherwise be qualified to do as a scientist, and deal with a huge backlog of cases and never be caught up.

And also, many people who are interested in forensics don't realize that you need a science degree (for most disciplines) or experience.  And on top of that to do DNA you must have classes in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics.  And don't forget you must be able to pass a drug test, background check, lie detector (polygraph), physical exam, and psych evaluations.

Hope this helps.  I love it and would encourage anyone to pursue this as a career.

Answer 2

you need a strong stomach to begin ,great curiosity and love to put together the puzzle of science to find the cause of the demise of people for that you will need to study maggots they are the ones that will supply you with the evidence that you need to solve a case . I find this very intriguing . If you have what it takes go for it !

Answer 3

CSI bears pretty much no resemblance to real forensic work.  A couple of major differences:

1) Most forensic labs are set up so that you're not collecting multiple kinds of evidence in the field, and then processing it yourself in the lab.  Speaking only for the USA, if you're out west you *might possibly* be processing several different kinds of evidence, but back east almost all labs are like the FBI lab in that you specialize in one kind of evidence only: you're the fingerprint guy, or the DNA guy, or the blood spatter guy.  Also, different people gather evidence in the field vs. process it in the lab.

2) Most criminal cases don't depend nearly as much on forensic evidence as CSI makes it look like.  (Prosecutors sometimes complain about a "CSI effect" in trials -- the jury's so used to watching the show that if they don't see forensic evidence presented, they're less likely to convict.)

3) Your job is in the lab; even if you're a sworn officer, you wouldn't be interviewing witnesses or suspects.

4) Most tests aren't nearly as accurate as on CSI, and it's not possible to do them as fast as they do it on the show.

Hope that didn't burst your bubble too badly -- forensic science is still a very interesting field to go into, but just like most jobs, it's not what it looks like on TV!