How to Choose a Career in Forensics
Being a forensic scientist is not just about dealing with crime scenes, as television would have you believe. Forensics is a term applied to the use of any kind of science as part of the understanding of evidence in a civil or criminal proceeding. A few of the many careers include working as a forensic psychologist, biologist or criminologist. To become a forensic scientist in any discipline requires the same types of qualifications. As you specialize in your field, you will accumulate the experience necessary to be a good and effective legal witness.
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Instructions
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Identify which science interests you the most. Remember that the nature of forensics involves the presentation of facts and research in a courtroom, you will need to be intensely dedicated to the nuts and bolts of your science.
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Join a local debate club or Toastmaster's organization. Your public speaking skills must be at their best when you are presenting evidence in a court of law. No matter what science you are drawn to, you must be able to express yourself clearly and handle argumentative challenge.
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Enroll in in a bachelor's degree program at a university of your choice that has a reputation for a solid foundation in your science. If you are not sure which science you want to become trained in, avoid the specific degree programs that are targeted towards medicine, criminology or psychology and opt for a program that provides a solid foundation in universal science skills, such as research, presentation and statistical analysis. No matter what you choose to specialize in later, these basic skills will be invaluable to you.
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Contact your local hospital and ask it for a reference to a local forensic scientist in the area that interests you. Make an appointment with her and talk with her about the reality of her job to make sure that it is really something you would be interested in pursuing. Sometimes, a forensic scientist will work offer paid and unpaid internships, this is an excellent way to make sure you are capable of the reality of the job before committing the time and money involved in education and certification.
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Subscribe to any journals in the field you are interested in and educate yourself on the current research and articles published. The forensic side of any science requires that you have both a broad and specific library of knowledge with which to form the directions of your investigations.
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Tips & Warnings
When you contact the companies or organizations that use forensic services, ask them if they have any internship programs available. Many will offer short-term, unpaid positions that give you first-hand experience. This may save you from studying for years only to enter the field and discover that you do not enjoy forensics. The science of forensics bears little similarity to how it is portrayed on television. The majority of the work is tedious, detailed and relies heavily on the writing and compilation of scientifically accurate reports. Talk to someone who has worked in the field for several years before committing yourself to a career in forensics.
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