The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, uses Profiler Plus as one method of forensic DNA analysis. DNA is a human being's most basic molecule, holding 23 pairs of chromosomes at its nucleus that contain all of the person's unique genetic information. Only identical twins contain the same DNA. Profiler Plus analyzes nine different areas of interest, or alleles, as well as gender. This information is used to create a DNA profile graph, which allows officers to compare an unknown DNA source to a known source.
Since at least the year 2000, the “method” style police television genre remains popular. They depict scientists analyzing crime scenes, evidence, DNA, fingerprints or ballistics, and using this information to convict criminals who otherwise would have gone free. Not only is this field an important branch of the physical sciences, it is a central element of the justice system. Forensic scientists are essential in prosecuting crimes, or even assisting insurance firms in convicting businesses or individuals of producing dangerous products. The good news is that demand for this specialty is expected to increase.
A U.S. Department of Treasury special agent would have been an employee of the U.S. Secret Service. Today, however, following expansion of the Secret Service's powers under the U.S. Patriot Act to combat terrorism, the service is a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As well as protecting the president and presidential families, the service investigates counterfeiting, financial crimes, and computer-based attacks on the country's financial and telecommunications infrastructure.
Crime scene technicians and forensic scientists play an important role in solving crimes, but they both have very different job roles. Many people think of forensic science when they hear or see the term "forensics." Forensic science involves analyzing evidence with the input of modern scientific methods. However, the term "forensics" should technically only be used in reference to legal matters. In the same way, some mistake crime scene technicians for forensic scientists and vice versa when, in reality, the two are quite different.
A bondsman is an individual who specializes in providing bail for individuals who have been imprisoned and cannot afford to pay on their own. By providing bail, a bondsman is ensuring the court that their client will appear readily and on time for all subsequent court hearings as well. If you would like to become a bondsman in the state of Georgia, there are a number of prerequisites required before you can legally work in the position.
Bail bondsmen help secure the release of individuals who are awaiting trial in criminal cases by paying the defendant's bond. Bail bonding is a highly regulated industry, and each state has different laws concerning the licensing of bond agents. In the state of Texas, bail bondsman licensing is covered under Section 1704 of the Occupations Code. If you're interested in becoming a licensed bail agent in Texas, you need to understand what the requirements are.
A forensic scientist collects and examines fluid and material samples from a variety of locations, including crime scenes and industrial treatment plants, to determine the composition and source of these materials. The job requirements of a forensic scientist call for a specific attention to detail and meticulous handling of equipment and samples to produce the most accurate testing results as possible.
Forensic science encompasses more than crime scene investigations like those portrayed on the television show “CSI.” Other relevant fields include odontology, document examination, molecular biology, toxicology, engineering and physical anthropology. Forensic science covers any field that can be used in the justice system. There are several organizations providing certification, but the American Board of Criminalistics encompasses a broad range of disciplines.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes forensic toxicology in its “biological scientists -- all other” category. As of May 2010, these scientists earned between $38,780 and $102,300 per year with the average annual salary of $71,310. According to the Criminal Justice Degree blog, experienced forensic lab directors and toxicologists earn salaries of $100,000-plus, while forensic toxicologists who are just starting out can expect to earn around $60,000 a year. Education, lab experience and location are the strongest salary determinants.
Forensic examiners work to review and detail evidence from crime scenes or criminal investigations. Forensic examiners come from varied education backgrounds and training. Certifications differ based on the forensics in which you specialize. Forensic examiners work with law enforcement or the court system to resolve legal issues, cases or proceedings.
The salary for an entry-level forensic scientist depends on a multitude of factors, including the crime lab or law enforcement agency in which a scientist works as well as the forensic specialty and type of college degree a new scientist holds. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and various professional associations for forensic analysts agree, however, that starting salaries are often minimal. Fortunately, experienced forensic scientists have the potential to advance to higher-paying positions.
Forensic scientists are integral in the crime-solving process. They're responsible for analyzing evidence that helps determine who committed the crime. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies forensic scientists as science technicians and provides salary information for these technicians in its 2010 Occupational Employment Statistics report. Salaries for forensic scientists just out of college tend to be toward the lower end of the pay scale.
Forensic scientists, also called crime analysts and evidence technicians, collect physical evidence from crime scenes and analyze its importance to the investigation. Employers usually require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and knowledge of legal procedures can boost your job chances, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois is a high-paying locale for these scientists.
A criminalist is a forensic science technician who collects, analyzes and identifies tangible evidence related to a crime. This professional, also known as an evidence technician, crime scene analyst or forensic specialist, can conduct DNA and other experiments using human saliva, hair or tissue samples as part of his investigation. Criminalists can specialize in fingerprinting, handwriting or ballistics, and usually have at least some postsecondary training such as a bachelor’s degree in science technology. The salaries of criminalists vary depending on location, industry and experience.
Law enforcement relies on the skills of the forensic scientist to put together the clues left behind at crime scenes. The work that forensic scientists perform helps law enforcement professionals identify criminals. A scientist who works with law enforcement may specialize in an area of the field such as DNA analysis or firearms identification. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for forensic science technicians was $51,570 as of May 2010.
Members of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams are specialized law enforcement officers who complete missions that do not fall within the job description of traditional personnel. It is common for SWAT teams to come to action during hostage situations; dangerous, life-threatening missions; and scenarios where specialized, armored vehicles and weapons such as machine guns and assault rifles are mandatory. Members of SWAT teams are known for keen hand-to-hand-combat skills. Salaries paid to commanders of SWAT teams are similar to those paid to police captains and similar front-line supervisors.
Watch how you sign your next check; it could determine whether or not you are convicted of a crime, should you ever commit one. Graphologists are handwriting experts who study a person's handwriting and use it to determine various things about his personality. Some graphologists work in the forensics field, while others work in fields like human resources and psychology.
Crime-scene or forensic-science technicians collect and examine evidence from locations where crimes occurred in order to help law enforcement identify the perpetrators. The need for crime-scene technicians in the will grow by 20 percent from 2008 through 2018, predicts the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Spurred by continued advances in forensic science that are increasing the scientific investigation of crimes, this growth should create around 2,500 new jobs during that time frame.
Photojournalists take still photographs and video for newspapers, broadcast television news, online news sites, magazines and other news-related publications. Photojournalists tell a story through pictures and video, enhancing the written and spoken word. They may photograph people, sporting events, political events and people, community events and natural wonders, depending on the publication using their work. Photojournalists make approximately the same salaries as journalists.
The Special Weapons and Tactical, or SWAT, team is a specialized group of police officers that receive special training and work in special dangerous situations. When a situation becomes too dangerous for the regular police officers, the SWAT team is called in. Their main purpose is to ensure the safety of the public and diffuse situations as quickly and safely as possible.
Crime-scene investigators and police officers solve crimes using high-tech equipment and scientific techniques developed over hundreds of years. Solving a crime is difficult during the best of situations. When bad weather interferes with investigating a crime scene, it makes getting information more difficult and can devastate the criminal investigation.
A computer forensic investigator is hired by a corporation or law firm to gather data, files and information from computers that may be used as evidence in hearings or court cases. The investigator may be called upon by the courts to testify as an expert witness to explain her investigative methods and the meaning of the data she extracted from the computer. The role of a computer forensic investigator can be vital to the prosecution or assist in the acquittal of the defendant in a court case.
Arson investigation is finding out who set a fire. Fire investigation is finding out how a fire was set. Arson investigation requires skills often taught in the police academy, but sometimes lacking in firefighting training. Requirements for becoming an arson investigator can vary from city to city and from state to state. In some areas, police departments and fire services will sponsor certification courses through a local college for those who have already passed police academy training, but would like additional training. In other areas, arson investigation is a specialty of the fire department and only allowed through the approval…
Becoming a bail enforcement agent (or bail bondsman agent) in New York involves a straightforward process to meet the requirements and get a license. You will need to have three years of experience, minimum, working as a police officer or an investigator at the federal, state or local level somewhere in the state. Thereafter, you will need to hold a current position with a bail enforcement agency that traces fugitives. If you meet both of these qualifications, you can take the necessary steps to becoming a bail enforcement agent.
When a crime occurs, investigators gather evidence to use later in determining who was responsible and when it happened. This includes the police, analysts, and specialists in the medical examining field. Procedures must be followed to use the evidence later to convict the perpetrator. If the scene is not carefully documented, it can lead to the evidence obtained being inadmissible in court proceedings.
Physical anthropologists deal with all that is physical about the human species. They study how human beings of different races evolved and continue to, in their form and structure, and how external factors such as environment, affect their evolution. Physical anthropologists work in different settings including academic institutions, museums and research facilities. Those carrying out on-field research need to be physically fit to carry out tasks such as excavations.
Correctional officers must have the necessary knowledge, skills and training before they get assigned responsibilities. Many departments use written and video examinations to evaluate if a candidate is prepared for duty. Video examinations present different situations and scenarios like those a candidate would confront on the job. After watching vignettes, the candidate must answer how he would resolve the situation depicted.
Hazardous materials (hazmat) first responders are specifically trained and certified to handle emergency situations involving materials such as toxic gases, chemicals and explosives that may cause harm. Response guidelines are established by The Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) and State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), along with local and state government agencies. First responders must follow procedural laws when securing a hazardous incident.
Fingerprints are the most common form of physical evidence, and recovering them is a foremost duty of investigators at a crime scene. The investigator uses a fingerprint powder, also termed fingerprint dust, to extract fingerprints from a variety of surfaces. Crime scene investigators have the option to use either a regular or magnetic powder. Fingerprints that are lifted at crime scenes are termed "latent" prints. The most common method to lift prints is a mechanical one, using powder and cellophane tape.
The area of any triangle is half the product of its base and height. In equilateral triangles, all three sides have the same length, which means you need only one dimension to calculate the shape's area. An equilateral triangle's height is half the product of the length of any side and the square root of 3, and its area is half the product of this value and the length. When the triangle exists on a set of axes, use Pythagoras' theorem to find a side's length through its coordinates.
While forensic crime scene investigators have long played critical roles in solving crimes, it wasn't until the television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation became a ratings sensation that crime scene investigators were thrust into the spotlight. Outside of the big network production, however, crime scene investigation has practical job responsibilities and working conditions just like every other job.
Some restaurant owners are strictly investors, and other than providing funds, they stay out of the way of the day-to-day operations. Other owners take on the responsibilities to keep the business running -- including hiring and firing, ordering supplies and managing the books. In some cases, the chef is part owner so he takes care of the day-to-day operations of the kitchen.
People who work in the pest control, disaster response, and crime scene clean-up industries must know how to use fumigation and decontamination equipment. This equipment is specially designed to sanitize large areas and make them habitable once again. There are various types of fumigation and decontamination equipment, each of which serves a different, but important function.
As individuals who like to watch crime dramas well know, the ridges on each person's fingers and palm are unique to that individual and that individual alone. To law enforcement officials investigating crime, this provides a valuable opportunity to prove an individual's involvement with a crime by showing that fingerprints found at a particular crime scene belong to a suspect. Advancement in fingerprint technology has led to the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS).
Forensic science is a growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates job growth in this field through 2018. There are a variety of positions available, from filing fingerprints to in-depth scientific analysis. Crime scene investigators also can move into administrative positions, overseeing investigations from a managerial standpoint. Investigators are from a variety of educational backgrounds, from those with high school diplomas to those with a Ph.D.
Fingerprints are impressions of the raised portions of the skin on the fingers. The visible patterns visible in these impressions are unique -- no two fingerprints are alike. Due to the permanent nature of the ridges, experts can identify a fingerprint's owner. Modern technology provides multiple methods for matching fingerprints to their owners. Most people associate fingerprinting with crime scene investigations, but the process of fingerprinting has been used in multiple ways throughout history.
Forensic palynologists are experts on pollen, spores and other minerals that are ever present in almost every environment. Plants, algae and fungi generate millions of varieties of microscopic particles, and every location has a unique combination of pollen and spores, almost like an environmental fingerprint. Forensic palynologists collect samples of pollen and spores to establish connections among victims, suspects, crime scenes and other evidence involved in a criminal investigation.
Investigators change the crime scene by collecting evidence. However, investigators are trained to collect evidence in a way that makes it still useful in court. Forensic scientists are scientists who use scientific methods to solve problems in the legal realm. They analyze data that investigators collected. Both professionals have an impact on the crime scene since they must collect evidence.
Computer science encompasses the study of all things computer related, such as software, hardware, tech issues and systems. A degree in computers, depending on the specialization, can lead to many different jobs. Computer industry employment is expected to grow 45 percent by 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The surface area of a triangle is half the product of its base and height. This makes finding the area easy when you know these measurements, such as when two sides meet at a right angle. But in some triangles, you need additional calculations just to find the height. In other triangles, the height is difficult to find even with trigonometry or Pythagoras' theorem. With these triangles, and with any other triangle as well, you can use an alternate formula for finding the shape's area.
Being a spy is glamorized in movies and television shows, but the reality of daily life as an agent in the Central Intelligence Agency can mean crunching numbers at a desk, constructing a bridge or charting a map as often as performing clandestine operations in the field. There are some majors that are more conducive to CIA work than others, but since the CIA hires such a broad range of specialists, many majors can lead to work at the CIA.
Television shows like "CSI" do not reflect the reality of what it's like to work for a forensics lab. Million-dollar machines are not the norm, and very often the first step is a good old-fashioned drawing of the crime scene. Whether you are working for a crime lab or are in training with the local police department or you must draw a murder scene for a college course, just a few steps are needed to present a working representation of the crime.
When a crime occurs, from robbery or arson to murder, highly trained forensic detectives arrive on the scene. These specialists collect, analyze and process the various components of a crime scene looking for clues. Their equipment includes evidence kits that facilitate such tasks as collecting fingerprints, making castings, taking photographs and collecting evidence. What the detective carries onto the crime scene depends on the crime itself.
Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeology to crime scenes in an attempt to find evidence. As the material being investigated by these archaeologists may be critical to a criminal investigation, it is vital that the utmost care and professionalism be exercised during the process. Because of this, many surveying techniques are employed to gain an intimate knowledge of the area before any actual excavation begins.
Much like a snowflake, no two fingerprints are alike, making fingerprinting a valuable tool in criminal investigations. Teaching children about fingerprints offers an opportunity to demonstrate how every human is unique, and also provides an activity for children who enjoy using ink pads to find and identify their own prints.
Undercover investigators are people contracted to perform interactive investigations without revealing their real purpose. When hiring an undercover investigator, it is essential to hire the most qualified person for the individual job. There are a wide variety of questions that you should ask before contracting the investigator's services.
At every crime scene, along with police officers, investigators and technicians are forensic photographers. Crime scene photographers are an extremely important part of the investigation. Becoming a perfect crime scene photographer takes the right skills plus experience. Crime scene photographers are needed at all kinds of crime scenes including homicides, robberies, accidents and even narcotics.
Undertakers, also known as funeral directors, provide end-of-life services, from planning to burial. The job of an undertaker is exacting and stressful. Fine organizational skills and attention to detail, in addition to good communication and standing strong under pressure, are other on-the-job demands. Sensitivity toward human grief is another essential requirement. Undertakers should be respectful of the feelings of the mourners and know the right things to say to comfort the family members and mourners.
While game design and visual communications might sound like an entertaining career, it actually takes quite a bit of work and effort. Before considering a job in either field, learn more about what the job entails. Jobs in the visual arts involve more than just being creative, and include their fair share of drudgery.
Archaeological digs are an illuminating time in the field of science. They provide insight into past civilizations and different animal species. Our history has been put together through findings such as artifacts and documents, centuries old. Logging items found is important to help you inventory what you have and decide how it should be examined. Logging your site also helps you remember where each artifact was found and how, helping you find the area later should questions arise.