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Featured Article Careers in Forensic Science
April 26, 2002
Reality may not be entirely reflected by a television
show like "CSI," but forensics offers interesting and expanding
career opportunities for majors ranging from anthro to MCB to computer
science and more.
More than just DNA analysis or interpreting blood spray patterns, forensic science is the application of science to the law. Most forensic scientists have a particular area of expertise that they can contribute to solving crimes, ranging from chemistry and the life sciences to computer skills to social sciences such as psychology, as well as others. Three forensic science professionals spoke with students during Career Week ("Them Bones": Careers in Forensics) about careers in forensics and criminal investigation. Lee Curtis is the Managing Director of High Tech Investigations at Kroll - Risk Consulting Group. He is a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner with over 30 years experience in investigating criminal cases, including 25 years as a Special Agent with the criminal division of the IRS. Kroll is a private sector consulting firm that provides investigative and security services and other related services to "Fortune 500" companies. This company hires people who have many years of experience working with technology and expertise in solving crimes. Although some firms will hire recent college graduates and provide training for computer forensic investigation careers, others only hire experienced candidates. High tech forensic investigators apply computer science and technology to investigation of civil or criminal cases. For example, if employees of a company destroyed copies of documents or emails that are important pieces of evidence in an investigation, the computer forensic investigators might seize the company's hard drives to find the documents. Steve Hayes is a Criminalist III with the Alameda County Crime Lab, which investigates crime scene evidence from crimes committed in Alameda County. Steve's specialty is forensic chemistry, and he has an MS degree in Forensic Chemistry. He performs crime scene investigations as well as lab-related work to analyze evidence, such as gun shot residue. Matt Piucci is a Senior Criminalist with the California Department of Justice DNA Lab in Berkeley. Matt graduated from Cal in 1990 with a BS in MCB. After graduation he traveled and performed in a band and eventually was hired by the DNA lab by chance - the opportunity presented itself and he took advantage of it. When he started with the DNA lab, there were 8 people on staff; now there are 115 and they need to hire more. One of the functions of the Berkeley DNA lab is to process DNA samples from violent criminals in California. The DNA records are entered into a database, and are compared with DNA evidence found at crime scenes. This database has helped identify suspects in previously unsolved rape cases. Criminalistics is not Criminology According to the California Association of Criminalists, criminalists use chemistry, molecular biology, and other scientific techniques to help solve crimes. Criminology, in contrast, is more social science-based and involves the study of the cause and effect of crime on society. To become a Criminalist you typically need to have extensive academic coursework in science. However, some specialties in forensic science are more closely related to social sciences, such as forensic psychology and forensic anthropology. Other specialties include forensic engineering, forensic dentistry, wildlife forensics, and document examination. The American Academy of Forensic Science website has a detailed description of these specialties. How does a real forensic science job compare to television shows like "CSI"? On TV shows, the criminalists tend to be generalists, go to crime scenes, and interact with victims and witnesses of the crimes. In reality, some generalists do carry guns and go to crime scenes. On the other hand, at the Berkeley DNA lab they work exclusively with DNA and rarely go to crime scenes. Another difference is that in reality, criminalists don't get involved with victims or have too much interaction with victims. They need to stay objective and deal solely with the facts. What personal qualities are necessary to succeed in the field? Because forensic scientists have to testify in court, as well as apply their science to the criminal investigation, it's important that they possess self-confidence, honesty, responsiveness, and patience. To be an effective expert witness, you have to learn to be comfortable with public speaking, able to deal with difficult people, be objective, "thick-skinned" (don't get defensive easily), have strong technical skills, and be a good scientist. How to become a forensic scientist This really depends on which specific area of forensic science you pursue. To become a criminalist you need to study or major in chemistry, molecular biology, physics or statistics. An advanced degree may or may not be necessary. Although UC Berkeley doesn't have a forensic science major, you can take courses in forensic science elsewhere, or get an advanced degree in this field. For example, Cal State LA offers a MS in Criminalistics program. |
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