Job Description of a Forensic Examiner

Any expert who appears in court becomes a "forensic" examiner, and many fields that routinely work within the court system have forensic branches.

Forensic Doctors

The job of a forensic medical examiner, also known as a forensic pathologist or coroner, focuses primarily on identifying dead bodies and doing cause of death analyses.

Forensic dentists specialize in analysis of teeth, both from dead bodies and identifying teeth marks on living bodies, to both identify individuals as well as signs of abuse.

Forensic psychiatry focuses on psychiatric evaluations of people, both in their ability to stand trial and their competency or culpability. They also assist with sentencing recommendations. Forensic psychologists do the same thing as forensic psychiatrists, but this position does not require a medical degree.

Forensic Document Inspectors

Forensic document inspectors examine a document to determine whether it was forged or to obtain additional information from paper and document properties.

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropologists primarily focus on studying bones to determine the gender, approximate age, height, probable ethnic heritage, race and even cause of death.

Digital Forensics

Digital examiners focus on computers and data retrieved from computers and cell phones. They retrieve data that was wiped off a hard drive and determine where data or virus attacks came from.

Forensic Accountants

Forensic accountants, also called auditors, provide information regarding the finances or transactions of an individual or company. They identify money laundering and fraudulent transactions.

Forensic Engineers

Forensic engineers identify things that went wrong with systems, whether in the mechanics, the electric wiring or chemical compositions. They look at why buildings collapse, why planes crash and analyze data related to mechanical and chemical systems' malfunctioning.

Forensic Toxicologists

Forensic toxicologists study biological materials for different chemicals and substances. They look at urine, blood and hair to determine whether a person has consumed or been given drugs. They aid in determining whether a cause of death was accidental or intentional.

Resources

• The American Academy of Forensic Sciences