A Brief History of the Forensic Sciences Major
Forensic science pertains to a large number of sciences and procedures that allow questions of interest in the legal system to be answered. The lack of forensic science in the ancient world lead to many criminals getting away with their crimes and escaping any sort of punishment or retribution for their crimes. As procedures developed and evolved techniques were used more commonly and actual practice of forensic sciences played a big role in the justice system. In 1929, investigative work on a massacre led to the founding of the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory on the campus of Northwestern University in Illinois.
Over the past decade, there have been major advancements in technology and forensic science is used to solve crimes on a large scale on a daily basis. Today, many colleges and universities offer students the opportunity to earn a degree in forensic science to pursue careers in the field.
Delving Into the Forensic Sciences Major
Forensic sciences are an important part of the criminal justice system as well as an important field in criminal justice studies. In forensic sciences degree programs, students are required to take a number of courses that will train and prepare them for careers in the forensic sciences field.
While degree requirements and the specific required courses in forensic sciences degree programs are likely to vary between learning institution, some of these courses may include crime victim studies, criminal law, forensic biology, death investigations, forensic psychology, evidence, criminalistics, and biometrics. Courses are also likely to include the introduction, fundamentals, and foundations of criminal justice as well as the court system and corrections.
Forensic science students are also likely required to submit projects, reports, and assignments to ensure they are learning the material they will need to excel in the field. While these projects will depend on the course and on the professor, professors often require that students take part in recreating crimes scenes to collect and gather evidence, that students work and examine evidence in laboratory settings, and that they know proper procedure when working with evidence collected at crime scenes. Professors are also likely to assign textbooks or books/novels that students must read to be more familiar with material presented in class and for evaluation on a future exam.
Degree Levels:
Associate
An associate degree in forensic sciences prepares students with the basic fundamentals of the forensic science and criminal justice fields to pursue entry level careers in the field. An associate degree in forensic sciences generally takes students about two years to complete and introduces students to the criminal justice system, the court system, and the correctional system.
Associate degree forensic science programs also introduce theories behind forensic science and teach students the basics of protecting, collecting, and analyzing evidence found at crime scenes for criminal investigations.
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s degree in forensic sciences goes further into the system, theories, and concepts as they relate to the field. A bachelor’s degree typically takes students about four years to complete and further advances the knowledge that students have of the forensic science and criminal justice system.
The bachelor’s degree program puts more of an emphasis on the actual processes of collecting and evaluating evidence and how crucial evidence is to an investigation. These programs elaborate on the different types of evidence and how advanced technology plays a large role in forensic science.
Master’s
A master’s degree program in forensic sciences requires students to conduct a lot of research and is usually focused on a specific area of forensic science. The degree typically takes students about one and a half to two years to complete, after the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
Forensic science master’s degree programs teach students the knowledge and technical proficiencies they will need to conduct in-depth analysis of evidence and/or crime sciences. Through a master’s degree program, students also learn how to use advanced technological and laboratory equipment to perform blood analyses and toxicology examinations.
Doctorate
Doctorate degrees programs are rigorous programs that are extremely research heavy and require students do a large amount of reading, studying, and researching. A Ph.D. is the highest education and degree an individual can pursue in the field of forensic science.
It prepares students with the advanced research and knowledge they will need to apply to forensic science careers. Students are taught how to handle technical, ethical, and scientific issues that will arise in the workplace as well thorough training and extensive knowledge of both science and law.
Supplementing Your Forensic Sciences Major
A degree, at any level, in forensic science is a discipline highly based on science and the legal system and also includes a general education based understanding of math as well. Some of the concentrations within a forensic science degree program can include (but are not limited to): forensic biology, forensic evidence, or crime scene investigation. Forensic science degree programs also generally concentrate on class lecture and materials as well as learning to work in a laboratory with equipment that is designed to test evidence collected at crime scenes.
Having a minor concentration to supplement your degree can not only give you more knowledge in another area, but it is also likely to expand job opportunities, as you are likely to qualify for more jobs in different areas as well. Some minors that may pair well with forensic science degrees include business, criminal justice, education, or psychology.
Graduates with a minor in business may also qualify for upper level or management careers within a government agency or forensic science career setting. Graduates with a minor in criminal justice have more knowledge in the field and are likely to qualify for more careers, while those with a minor in education could also pursue teaching or education jobs as they relate to the field. A graduate with a minor concentration in psychology may qualify for forensic science careers as well as a counselor for victims and their families, or a social worker.
Learn More About the Forensic Sciences Major
- The Princeton Review: Forensic Science
- Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence Open Courseware
- Anil Aggrawal’s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
The Forensic Sciences Major in the Job Market
Earning a degree in forensic sciences will prepare students with the knowledge and skills they will need to pursue careers in the forensic sciences field, as well as other careers that are closely related to the field. During the course of earning the degree, students will learn about the basics and fundamentals of the criminal justice system, the law, and the courts. Students will also delve more into the world of forensic sciences and be able identify, preserve, protect, gather, and analyze evidence found at crime scenes needed for criminal investigations.
Graduates of forensic sciences degree programs must possess an immense amount of knowledge in the field, as they will likely need to explain procedures and findings to investigators, attorneys, and possibly in court. Because of the nature of this work, students will have also developed good communication skills, both verbal and written, and will also develop organizational and critical thinking skills. Graduates will also have the skills they need to work with advanced technology in order to be able to process crime scenes and examine and test evidence.
All of the skills that students in forensic sciences degree programs learn are skills that employers will require or look for when hiring employees. Most employers prefer to hire employees that have the knowledge and training that is needed in the field and those individuals with the experience and education in the field may have the best job opportunities.
Graduates of forensic sciences degree programs can pursue careers in a number of different fields including those in (but not limited to): government, state or local agencies, criminal justice or education, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of the careers forensic science graduates can pursue in these fields include (but are not limited to): forensic scientist, medical examiner, teacher or educator, crime scene examiner, forensic engineer, forensic science technician, crime laboratory analyst, or fingerprint analyst, according to Florida State University.
