Forensic science can be defined as the application of scientific methods and principles to solve crimes and other types of legal problems. In most criminal cases, a medical examiner is typically involved in finding and examining many types of physical evidence that can help link a suspect of having committed a crime to the scene of the crime or the victim. Forensic science is now a more popular subject since several successful TV shows such as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI).
However, very few people realize that being a CSI or forensic professional can be a great career alternative. Many reasons can be advanced that make forensic science one of the best career prospects these days. The reasons range from the job market, wages, benefits to the availability of training and beyond.
The availability of jobs for someone looking to become a forensic professional was very low for a long time until about five years ago when many technological and scientific advances began to develop and provided new types of tools that have significantly improved the effectiveness of the police. and security forces to solve crimes and other problems. As a result, most law enforcement agencies and other institutions have greatly expanded their resources and facilities to increase their ability to use forensic science techniques and methodologies.
Even though police departments alone employ (and continue to hire) thousands of people from diverse fields of forensic work and with many different educational backgrounds, the police are not the only alternative for those who are looking for a job related to forensic science or criminal justice. The methods and concepts of forensic science are increasingly being used by many other institutions for various purposes, so that the job market for forensic science is bigger than ever. Companies that develop, improve, and produce tools, reagents, kits, and devices for use in forensic investigations also make up a good portion of the available labor market. The size of the labor market and the associated opportunities increase sharply if one considers working abroad. Besides the United States, countries like Great Britain and Australia are also part of this trend.
Being a discipline that relies heavily on technology, working in forensic science requires the acquisition of certain skills. This means that someone who wants to work in forensics needs at least some sort of higher education. The type of degree and the length of the program vary greatly and depend on the type of work one wishes to do. Some positions require higher degrees such as a doctorate. or Masters, but many other positions can be filled after a short course of one or two years in small private academies.
But these requirements aren’t a big hurdle to overcome when you consider the many benefits of working for a forensic service. Positions in police departments and other law enforcement institutions often come with substantial benefits and competitive salaries and, most importantly, good prospects for stability and professional growth, as well as an aura of social approval generally associated with public service. These reasons and more make forensic science one of the best career alternatives available today.
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