Educational Writer- New Heights Educational Group
A forensic scientist is a member of the team that investigates crimes. He or she gathers and documents, or analyzes, physical evidence from crime scenes. This evidence may include fingerprints, blood, hair and bullets. A forensic scientist, also called a crime scene investigator or a forensic science technician, may specialize in crime scene investigation which entails the collection and cataloging of evidence, or laboratory analysis which involves using scientific methods to identify and classify evidence.
To become a forensic scientist, one usually needs to earn a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science. Some crime scene investigators and forensic science technicians are trained as police officers who have graduated from police academies. Before one can work independently as a forensic scientist, he or she must receive extensive on-the-job training. This takes place through an apprenticeship with an experienced colleague. The novice technician is trained to properly collect and document evidence. He or she may go on to receive training in a laboratory specialty such as DNA or firearms analysis.
A Day in a Forensic Scientist's Life
On a typical day a forensic scientist, depending on whether he or she specializes in crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis, might perform some of the following duties:
Visiting crime scenes in order to plan how and what evidence to collect
Collecting, cataloging and preserving criminal evidence that may be used to solve cases
Photographing or making sketches of crime scenes
Reconstructing crime scenes
Examining, testing, and analyzing evidence including tissue samples, chemical substances, physical materials and ballistics
Meeting with ballistics, fingerprint, handwriting, document, electronics, medical, chemical or metallurgical experts to discuss and interpret evidence
Reconstructing crime scenes in order to figure out if and how pieces of evidence are related
Writing and presenting summaries of findings
Testifying as an expert witness on evidence or laboratory techniques in trials or hearings
All the Best!!