Forms of Forensic Science
Contrary to its portrayal on television dramas such as "CSI," forensic science extends far beyond collecting and analyzing crime scene evidence. The field of forensic science spans many disciplines and specialties, but they all apply scientific knowledge and methods to the law. Many forms of forensic analysis involve criminal law issues, but some specialties focus on civil matters, as well. In addition, forensic science includes not only the natural and physical sciences, but also the social sciences.
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Criminalistics
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The best-known field of forensic science goes by the formal name of criminalistics. Criminalists collect, preserve, analyze and interpret physical evidence from crime scenes. This can include blood and other bodily fluids, hair and fibers, firearms and other weapons-related evidence, drugs and chemicals. Many criminalists work in crime labs and specialize in analyzing particular types of evidence, such as DNA. In addition to collecting and analyzing evidence, criminalists prepare reports of their findings and often provide expert testimony in criminal trials. Becoming a criminalist requires at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or forensic science. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) also reports that many criminalists seek certification from the American Board of Criminalistics.
Forensic Engineering
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In contrast to criminalistics, forensic engineering addresses mainly civil matters, such as legal issues involving traffic collisions, industrial accidents or fires and natural disasters. However, some criminal matters may require the expertise of a forensic engineer. Many engineers help investigators reconstruct accidents to determine who was at fault. They may also study evidence from collapsed structures to determine if any design defects contributed to the collapse and any resulting loss of life. AAFS notes that few universities offer courses or majors in forensic engineering, meaning that engineers who want to apply their knowledge to legal issues must develop their own credentials, often through years of professional engineering practice in a particular subject matter, such as roads or construction.
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Forensic Pathology
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Forensic pathologists, also known as medical examiners, are licensed medical doctors who specialize in conducting autopsies and other medical examinations to determine a person's cause of death. Like other medical specialties, becoming a forensic pathologist requires years of study and training, including four years each of college and medical school, as well as residency and training in pathology and forensics. The website ForensicScience.net estimates that forensic pathologists undergo about 13 years of education and training.
Forensic Social Sciences
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Social science fields with legal applications include psychology, anthropology and economics. Forensic psychologists assess the mental health and competency of criminal defendants, and develop psychological profiles of suspects. Forensic anthropologists specialize in identifying skeletal remains to determine time and cause of death. For example, forensic anthropologists assisted human rights and war crimes investigators by identifying bodies found in mass graves in Bosnia after that country's civil war during the 1990s. Forensic economists employ economic theories and equation models to calculate appropriate monetary awards in legal cases, such as lawsuits involving medical malpractice or on-the-job injuries. Many social scientists with forensic knowledge work full time in another capacity, such as in academia, providing forensic services on a consulting basis as cases arise, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.
Other Forensic Sciences
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Numerous other forensic science fields exist, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are forensic scientists who specialize in digital photography, computer science and examination of written documents, among other areas. These and other fields require at least a bachelor's degree, usually in a scientific field. Some specialties may require an advanced degree, specialized training or a combination of the two, the bureau reports.
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