Careers Related to Forensics

Some careers use forensic science principles to help solve crimes.

Forensic science uses many different disciplines of study to help solve crimes. Some forensic scientists are exclusively focused on forensic science. They may have advanced degrees in forensic science and have worked all their lives in forensic science laboratories. But there are many careers in which people are not exclusively forensic scientists but use their expertise in a forensic capacity from time to time.

Digital and Multimedia

People who are experts in digital and multimedia sciences and have sophisticated equipment may use their skills and equipment for forensic purposes. Many of these experts work directly for law enforcement agencies but there are also many private practitioners who contract to law enforcement agencies, reports the American Academy of Forensic Scientists. These experts might be called upon to discover files that have been deleted from a digital device; to identify a remote user of a system or to identify someone by voice recognition patterns. People in computer systems design and related services earned a median annual wage of $58,250, according to 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Psychologist

Psychologists are experts in human behavior. Some psychologists are employed to ascertain whether an accused person is insane or is mentally competent to be tried in court. They may be called upon to study a family if a crime is related to a domestic issue or they may be called upon to create a psychological profile of a person accused of a crime. Psychologists usually have at least master's degrees and many of those whose practice intersects with forensics seek extra degrees or study in forensic science. Psychologists in private physician's offices earned a mean salary of $109,550 in 2009.

Document Examiner

A document examiner authenticates historical documents, wills and financial statements and is often hired by insurance companies. In forensics, document examiners help identify documents used to perpetrate a crime such as fraud, embezzlement or theft. Document examiners may be called upon to determine whether a signature is authentic, if letters or numbers have been altered, or which pen was used to write something. Document examiners usually have a bachelor's degree in one of the sciences and have completed at least a two year apprenticeship, according to the AAFC. Document examiners earn an annual median wage of $57,130 as of 2009.

Toxicologists

Toxicologists may perform drug tests on employees for companies, test athletes for steroids or test for specific diseases. In forensics, toxicologists may perform tests to see what substances were in a victim's bloodstream. Toxicologists must have at least a bachelor's degree in physical science including a background in both chemistry and pharmacology, according to the AAFC. A toxicologist with a master's degree and five to 10 years experience can earn an average of $60,000 a year, according to the Society of Toxicology.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Quarterly; Careers in Forensics; Elka Maria Torpey; Spring 2009
• American Academy of Forensic Scientists: Choosing a Career
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychologists
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Multimedia Artists and Animators
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Claims Adjusters, Examiners and Investigators
• Society of Toxicology: Career Guide: How Much DoToxicologists Earn