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Step 1: Do I really want to work in forensic science?
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Step 2: Bachelor's Degree
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Step 3: Master's Degree
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Step 4: Certificates and Doctoral Program
Step 1: Do I really want to work in forensic science?
Before you get started, you will need to determine that this is the ideal career path for you. Since many are drawn to this field as a result of television shows such as CSI or Dexter, ask yourself if you truly are drawn to science. That is, do you enjoy the lab portion of your high school biology classes? Consider that you will spend the majority of your working hours staring through microscopes at tiny fibers, blood drops, or other tissue samples. The way these specialists are portrayed on television is not how they function in real life. You won’t spend your time in the field with officers, but rather in the lab with your fellow forensic experts or gathering evidence from a scene after it has been secured by officers.
Step 2: Bachelor's Degree
Once you've determined that you want to become a forensic scientist, you must enter a four-year degree program to establish a foundation in the field. While you might be able to achieve the basic skills needed by working through a degree in biology, you should look for an accredited degree program that is specialized. That is because forensic science bridges a gap between law and science, so you will need a more well-rounded and focused course of study. Along the way, you will take courses that can include, but are not limited to:
- Criminal Law
- Criminalistics
- Firearms Examination
- Forensic Geology
- Laws of Evidence
- Forensic Microscopy
As an undergraduate student, you should also start looking for internships or other experiential learning opportunities. Seek out opportunities at crime labs or with your state or local police departments. In lieu of such opportunities, you might also look for work in any sort of laboratory setting that will give you experience with the fundamentals of laboratory work. That is, you might spend time cleaning or cataloging equipment, filing samples, or other seemingly mundane activities that are, in fact, vital to the functioning of the profession.
Step 3: Master's Degree
Once you have completed your undergraduate work, you might delve straight into a job with a crime lab. On the other hand, you could pursue a master's degree in forensic science. Your grad school experience will be far more focused than your first four years in undergrad. By this time, you should have a clear idea of what specific focus you wish to pursue. A few specialty areas to consider include:
- Criminalistics
- Molecular Biology
- Forensic Toxicology
- Forensic DNA & Serology
- Forensic Drug Chemistry
- Forensic Toxicology
No matter what specialty area you choose, you will spend a lot of time in the laboratory, examining specimens. You will also spend lots of time in a traditional classroom learning about the criminal justice system, professional ethics, and statistics.
Step 4: Certificates and Doctoral Programs
Once you have your master's degree, your career will kick into high gear. However, you can still return to school for additional specialty graduate certificates in fields that intrigue you. When you add these specialties to your resume, employers will appreciate your diversification, and you will enjoy being able to solve multiple types of problems and gain more responsibilities in your workplace. You can also return to school to complete a Ph.D.
Once you complete a doctoral degree, you will be able to work as a university professor and you'll find it easier to command higher salaries. Further, your courtroom testimony is sure to be more persuasive when you can attest to having such a lauded degree.
Forensic Scientist Career & Salary
Where Might You Work?
In forensic science, you will likely report to work in a government crime lab. This lab is most likely to be the domain of your local government, but it could also be managed by your state government. You could also work in medical diagnostic laboratories, and a very small percentage of forensic science technicians work in testing labs.
Depending on the budget for your forensic lab, you could work with state-of-the-art forensic tools. However, smaller jurisdictions might not have the resources for such equipment. You might then need to ship samples to a more advanced lab or visit in person to use their facilities.
While the lab will probably be your headquarters or home office, you will also be called to crime scenes to gather evidence for later analysis. Once your analysis is complete and a relevant case comes to trial, you will probably be called to testify. You could also be called to testify in a sworn deposition in an attorney's office.