Many people seek careers in Forensic Science.
What is Forensic science all about?
Forensic Science is a career that integrates science with legal practice to aid and carry out criminal investigation.
It is a career that suits those who have a passion for legal practices but still wish to further their profession.
Careers in Forensic science aim to have proof or evidence via techniques like identification, evaluation, recognition, or testing.
Forensic science is strongly linked to biology, physics, and chemistry.
In this article, we will explain various careers in Forensic science.
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Careers In Forensic Science
There are several careers in Forensic science. These careers include:
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1. Forensic Odontologists
According to the American Dental Association, forensic odontologists earn between $ 150,000 and $ 180,000.
Forensic dentists have a doctorate in dental surgery or dentistry and are usually trained in general dentistry and perform forensics services in addition to their dental procedures.
Forensic odontologists analyze the symptoms of the bite and compare them with samples to help identify victims and suspects and help investigators determine if the injury is protective or irritating.
Sometimes DNA identification is impossible, and fingerprint analysis is impossible. Forensic dentists use different aspects of dentistry to identify human remains in the event of the worst crimes or after the most traumatic events.
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2. Forensics Manager
The National average salary of a Forensics manager is $63,494 per year
Their primary responsibilities include overseeing activities that support criminal investigations. They may organize, direct, and coordinate various activities related to intelligence science within the illegal laboratory or another intelligence agency.
3. Forensic Toxicologist
The median salary of a Forensic Toxicologist is $ 85,670, from $ 25,500 to $ 152,000.
Aspiring toxicologists should have a solid understanding of chemistry, biology, or both, as well as knowledge of the pharmacy.
The field of toxicology has evolved and emerged remarkably since then. Forensic toxicologists help researchers identify the underlying causes of death, including toxins, chemicals, and intoxicants. T
hey assist in prosecuting DUI and DWI detention and may detect the presence of drugs or alcohol in the blood of a suspect or victim.
The ancient Greeks were the first to recognize the various signs and symbols of poison, and they were the first civilizations known to expose toxins because of this ability.
4. Forensic Psychologist
These workers often work in community health centers, psychiatric hospitals, government agencies, and correctional facilities.
The average national salary of a Forensic psychologist is $ 120,710 per year.
Requirements to be a Forensic psychologist minimum qualification masters in forensic psychology. Many of these employees also hold certificates from the American Board of Forensic Psychology.
The main functions of a legal psychologist lie in the legal system, which includes the mental examination of criminals, witnesses, and defendants in legal proceedings and acting as expert witnesses in court cases.
They may also develop treatment programs and interventions for inmates and make recommendations on inmate parole.
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5. Forensic Pathologist
The national average salary of a Forensic pathologist is $143,759 per year
They assist in investigating crimes like murders and evaluate the findings of autopsies.
The primary duties of these professionals include conducting autopsies on bodies to determine the cause of death.
The basic requirements for becoming a pathologist are to complete a medical school program.
6. Polygraph Examiner
Polygraph examiners earn about $ 95,000 a year on average and have a minimum of $ 52,230.
Polygraph examiners are trained for a long time to hone their skills and use them in internal investigations of law enforcement personnel.
Polygraph inspectors may work for a criminal justice agency or as independent contractors. Their services are helpful during the screening process for people who will participate in many sensitive activities.
Polygraphs have limited court approval, but polygraph testing remains useful for crime resolution and fraud detection from suspects and witnesses.
They train Polygraph examiners to perform tests using a “false detector” and provide results analysis.
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7. Forensic Investigator
The average national salary of a Forensic investigator is $71,799 per year.
This position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, forensic science, or related fields.
They may take photographs of the scene, collect samples and test the evidence in the lab. Then they use the evidence to estimate the crime’s details.
The primary duty of a forensic investigator is to investigate evidence found at a crime scene.
8. Forensic Engineers
The median salary for Forensic Engineers is about $85,000 annually.
This method requires at least a degree in engineering.
They can point to a negative game and distinguish it from structural failure due to age and lack of maintenance.
Intelligence engineers work with machinery and buildings. When a building collapses for no apparent reason, the intelligence engineers decide what happened and why.
9. Forensic Accountant
The national average salary of a Forensic accountant is $79,369 per year.
This profession requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
They check financial records and accounts that can be useful as evidence. They can also help in court to decide damages and litigation awards.
The primary duties of a forensic accountant are to uncover fraud and protect bank accounts against fraudulent activity.
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10. Bloodstain Pattern Analysts
Bloodstain pattern analysts earn salaries in the region of $ 42,000 a year.
They can help determine the ammunition used, whether the struggle took place, the direction of the victim’s or suspect’s journey, who was the main perpetrator, and whether the wounds were self-inflicted — all by examining drips, bloodshed, spatters, and spots.
They are also referred to as blood spatter experts, and bloodstain pattern analysts are forensic science technicians who specialize in violent crime scenes.
11. Fingerprint Technician
The national average salary of a Fingerprint technician is $41,752 per year.
Fingerprints specialists process and store fingerprint samples, analyze fingerprints and upload fingerprints to fingerprint information for comparison.
They work in crime and crime scenes.
The primary duties of these professionals include studying and evaluating fingerprints in criminal investigations.
The requirement for this profession is a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, or a related field is typically required.
12. Evidence Technician
The national average salary of an Evidence technician is $48,838 per year
The requirement to be an evidence expert is a degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Some positions may allow people to hold on-level entry technology with prior experience and on-the-job training.
The primary duties of Evidence technicians include:
- Collecting evidence at crime scenes.
- Processing the evidence.
- Transporting the evidence to storage locations.
13. Forensic Specialist
The national average salary of a Forensic specialist is $57,750 per year.
The requirement is at least one bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or related fields.
Some years of experience working in a forensic science lab are often required to get a job as a forensic expert.
They may act as expert witnesses in court cases and research new forensic equipment and technology.
They may deal with biological fluids, drugs, blood, gunpowder, and other items found at the scene.
The main task of forensic experts is to examine the crime scene’s physical evidence using various analytical methods, including chemical, metal, and microscopic techniques.
Conclusion
There are many careers in Forensic science.
It is best to carefully evaluate which best suits you as it is a susceptible role that needs extensive expertise.