How do I become a forensic scientist? Educational pathways to forensic science careers

Forensic science is a broad, interdisciplinary group of applications of physical and biological sciences and various technologies to issues in civil and criminal justice. To discuss the educational preparation necessary for entry into the forensic sciences, we have to define their scope. In the broadest sense – the one we will adopt for purposes of this discussion – the forensic sciences consist of pathology, dentistry (odontology), psychiatry, psychology, toxicology, entomology, physical anthropology, human biological evidence (blood, semen, saliva, etc.) analysis, the analysis of other types of biological materials, such as plant materials, pollens, etc., analysis of hair, fibers, and all types of materials, analysis and comparison of patterns and pattern evidence (fingerprints, documents, firearms, tool marks, etc.), engineering, and the investigation and analysis of computer crime, crime scenes, and crime scene patterns. Some of these areas and disciplines can be grouped into categories. For this discussion, it will help to group them into categories that have similar educational requirements. As we will see, there is a wide range of educational paths and degrees encompassed by these diverse subject areas. Pathology, odontology, toxicology, entomology, physical anthropology, psychiatry, and psychology may be considered biomedical specialty areas. Biological evidence analysis, forensic chemistry (which includes drug identification, microscopy of fibers and hairs, materials analysis), and pattern evidence may be considered part of criminalistics (a term that will be discussed in more detail below). Some would include crime scene investigation under the criminalistics umbrella. Computer crime analysis and forensic engineering are generally considered separate areas. Educational pathways, terminal academic degrees, specialized training, and employment opportunities Table 1 organizes all these various forensic specialty areas into a few larger categories. The biomedical specialties include several disciplines for which a terminal professional doctorate or PhD is required or highly recommended. The engineering and criminalistics specialties require at least a bachelor’s degree. Crime scene investigators may have bachelors or higher degrees, but the majority are still sworn law enforcement personnel many of whom are not required to have academic degrees. Almost every specialty has a certain minimum academic degree requirement, but also requires additional training – sometimes formal and structured, sometimes not – as well as some experience. The experience is typically gained under the supervision or tutelage of someone more experienced in the specialty practice. A brief discussion of the scope of each of the specialty areas we have mentioned, and some elaboration about education and training requirements and employment opportunities follows. Specialties requiring the least formal education, and in which there are the greatest opportunities for potential employment, are discussed first, proceeding to those specialties requiring more formal education and training, and in which the employment opportunities are fewest.