Forensics & the Justice System
Part of a forensic scientist's job description is to collect evidence at a crime scene. Because to the nature of this work, forensic investigators work closely with government officials and law enforcement. Forensic investigators and scientists are often called as witnesses in order to help in criminal cases in a court.
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History
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Forensics has been around since the Roman times. According to the History of Forensics, it was during this time that if a criminal charge was brought before the forum, both the person acting as the accuser and the one that was being accused would present their side. It boiled down to who had more evidence and better presentation skills and that was the person who was declared the winner. From the beginning forensics was meant to marry the criminal process with the medical community.
Significance
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Forensic investigators are involved in all aspects of a criminal case and need to work closely with the law at all times. In the case of a CSI investigator or a forensic examiner, you are called to the scene of a crime in order to collect and bag evidence that could be use to find DNA or later be brought before the court system. Forensics must work cohesively with law enforcement officials who are on the scene, as well as present findings and function under stress in a timely manner once you have taken the evidence back to the lab.
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Benefits
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Many areas of forensics, or forensic sub-careers, have developed in recent years. Today, options for working in forensics include careers as CSI (crime scene investigation), computer forensic investigator, forensic document examiner, forensic nurses and pediatric forensics. Even the U.S. Department of Justice recognizes this value and states on its website, referring to forensics, that it has been "crucial for the investigation and resolution of thousands of crimes, and its value is likely to increase in the coming years."
Schooling
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Most colleges offer studies in science, which is the best degree to have when choosing a career in forensics. However, also take criminal law classes. Forensics investigators need to be up-to-date on all laws within their jurisdiction. This will show your professionalism and dedication to the integrity of your craft. Certification classes are required for forensics and any of the sub-categories. Information on schools and certificate programs can be found on the American Academy of Forensic Sciences website.
Testimony
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Forensic investigators are often called for testimony as expert witnesses. The justice system needs to rely on you and your oral statement that you are knowledgeable at what you do. The justice system wants you to succeed as badly as you want to. According to an article on the AAFS website, new scientists work in a mock court before they testify for the first time. It can be difficult to explain complex information about science and chemicals and relating scientific wording to how it affects the crime scene or evidence gathered.
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References
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