If you are the type who enjoys crime shows, but only the investigation part which involves forensic science and wonder if you could carry out such thrilling crime solving without being in mainstream crime-related profession then a career in forensic science is just the one for you. Being a forensic science technician would be a one step closer to achieve this dream of gathering forensic evidences and offer a major contribution to solving crimes. Forensic Science is the scientific method of collecting and evaluating information about an incident occurred in the past which could help solve a crime and also help in providing evidences in the court of Law. The term forensic is derived from the Latin word 'forensis' which means 'of the forum'. The evidence provided by the forensic scientists helps in solving many crimes and is thus considered to be a legally accepted evidence. It is thus considered to be a crucial element for today's judicial system.
Involving in varied aspects of science, forensic science can be considered to be a broad field. Forensic Science Technician also referred as Forensic scientists examine various crime scenes or accidental scenes and discover some fruitful evidences which may help describe the unfortunate event that took place in a much detailed version. They investigate the explosion scenes and fire scenes to come up with certain clear explanation on how and why the event or crime must have took place. The forensic scientists help collect data on the exact number of people involved during a crime scene by providing scientific facts to prove their findings. The crime scenes are analysed and evaluated by performing certain procedures such as
1. Taking pictures of the crime scene
2. Gathering physical evidences such as blood samples, bodily fluids, fingerprints etc scattered throughout the crime scene
3. Evaluating and determining the position of the evidence found.
4. Recording observations and findings for latter investigation.
5. Collecting other evidences left out on the crime scene such as weapons which may include knives, pistols, rods etc.
6. Making sketches of the crime scene.
7. Preserving the evidences found for transfer to the respective crime laboratory.
The evidences that are transferred to the crime labs are further put to work by carrying out various analysis on them which include chemical analysis, biological analysis and physical analysis to explore the various possibilities of the nature of crime and also to connect the missing links possibly between the criminal suspect and the crime that took place. The tests that are carried out by the forensic science technicians provide a useful data to the crime investigators for the reconstruction and better understanding of the crime that took place.
Forensic Science Technician would perform all the above mentioned tasks or may specialize in certain key areas of sciences. Those who perform the tasks of working on the crime scene and collecting evidences, such forensic science technicians are called as criminalists. A Criminalist performs the task of collecting and analyzing data along with the evidences to connect the missing links between a crime, a victim and a suspect. A criminalists thus not only carries on a duty of a crime scene investigator but also of a lab analyst.
A forensic science technician may also work in labs to analyze evidences through microscope. Such evidences may include examination of DNA samples, fingerprints or recovered body parts. In this area of specialization, more importance is provided in matching the available data with the known elements found to used during the crime such as recovery of a vehicle, a weapon or recovery of certain fibers. These forensic scientists who carry on such works may have a specialization in odontology or could be a forensic ballistics expert.
Some of the forensic scientists may specialize in providing useful evidence in computer based crimes. Such forensic scientists are computer experts and help analyze and gather data which can help solve cyber crimes, scams, electronic theft and identity theft. Such experts can also help gather digital evidences which may help solve a non-cyber crime.
Other areas of expertise for a forensic science technician would include chemistry, biology, firearms, pharmacology and toxicology. Such forensic scientists with these areas of specialization come handy in crimes which include fire scenes or death due to poisoning etc.
In all the cases, a forensic science technician needs to provide a detailed report of his findings, evidences and the investigation strategy used. The forensic scientist should be capable of explaining and convincing his theories and reports to the court of law and other law enforcement officials.
A degree in any of the natural sciences such as biology or chemistry is the basic requirement for the forensic scientist qualifications. A person who majors in forensic science should have extensive course work in subjects like mathematics, biology and chemistry. Students with degrees which do not specialize in the natural sciences should go for an additional course in forensic sciences. Apart from a educational qualification, in order to qualify as a forensic science technician one needs to work extensively on-the-job training. This on-the-job training can be carried out by accepting an apprenticeship with any experienced forensic scientists. During this training period a novice forensic science technician may acquire practical training of various methods with which the forensic investigation is carried out.
Certain skills or qualities a forensic science technician should possess to become an expert in his or her field include
- good communication skills
- critical thinking
- problem solving attitude
- Composure
- Better understanding of statistics
- Knowledge of natural sciences.
- Professionalism
- Objectivity
Forensic Science Technician would find various job opportunities in government as well as private sector. Working with crime investigators, law enforcement agencies, legal system, CBI, CID etc are some of the job prospects a forensic scientists should look forward to. Other than that, in private agencies a forensic science technicians job description would include working on fields of construction sites, mechanical effect builders, research work, working on production lines, assisting production designer and art director, doing research on period and contemporary elements etc.
 |
| Source - Google |
Role of Forensic Science Technicians
Involving in varied aspects of science, forensic science can be considered to be a broad field. Forensic Science Technician also referred as Forensic scientists examine various crime scenes or accidental scenes and discover some fruitful evidences which may help describe the unfortunate event that took place in a much detailed version. They investigate the explosion scenes and fire scenes to come up with certain clear explanation on how and why the event or crime must have took place. The forensic scientists help collect data on the exact number of people involved during a crime scene by providing scientific facts to prove their findings. The crime scenes are analysed and evaluated by performing certain procedures such as
1. Taking pictures of the crime scene
2. Gathering physical evidences such as blood samples, bodily fluids, fingerprints etc scattered throughout the crime scene
3. Evaluating and determining the position of the evidence found.
4. Recording observations and findings for latter investigation.
5. Collecting other evidences left out on the crime scene such as weapons which may include knives, pistols, rods etc.
6. Making sketches of the crime scene.
7. Preserving the evidences found for transfer to the respective crime laboratory.
The evidences that are transferred to the crime labs are further put to work by carrying out various analysis on them which include chemical analysis, biological analysis and physical analysis to explore the various possibilities of the nature of crime and also to connect the missing links possibly between the criminal suspect and the crime that took place. The tests that are carried out by the forensic science technicians provide a useful data to the crime investigators for the reconstruction and better understanding of the crime that took place.
Areas of Specialization for Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic Science Technician would perform all the above mentioned tasks or may specialize in certain key areas of sciences. Those who perform the tasks of working on the crime scene and collecting evidences, such forensic science technicians are called as criminalists. A Criminalist performs the task of collecting and analyzing data along with the evidences to connect the missing links between a crime, a victim and a suspect. A criminalists thus not only carries on a duty of a crime scene investigator but also of a lab analyst.
A forensic science technician may also work in labs to analyze evidences through microscope. Such evidences may include examination of DNA samples, fingerprints or recovered body parts. In this area of specialization, more importance is provided in matching the available data with the known elements found to used during the crime such as recovery of a vehicle, a weapon or recovery of certain fibers. These forensic scientists who carry on such works may have a specialization in odontology or could be a forensic ballistics expert.
Some of the forensic scientists may specialize in providing useful evidence in computer based crimes. Such forensic scientists are computer experts and help analyze and gather data which can help solve cyber crimes, scams, electronic theft and identity theft. Such experts can also help gather digital evidences which may help solve a non-cyber crime.
Other areas of expertise for a forensic science technician would include chemistry, biology, firearms, pharmacology and toxicology. Such forensic scientists with these areas of specialization come handy in crimes which include fire scenes or death due to poisoning etc.
In all the cases, a forensic science technician needs to provide a detailed report of his findings, evidences and the investigation strategy used. The forensic scientist should be capable of explaining and convincing his theories and reports to the court of law and other law enforcement officials.
Eligibility for Forensic Science Technician
A degree in any of the natural sciences such as biology or chemistry is the basic requirement for the forensic scientist qualifications. A person who majors in forensic science should have extensive course work in subjects like mathematics, biology and chemistry. Students with degrees which do not specialize in the natural sciences should go for an additional course in forensic sciences. Apart from a educational qualification, in order to qualify as a forensic science technician one needs to work extensively on-the-job training. This on-the-job training can be carried out by accepting an apprenticeship with any experienced forensic scientists. During this training period a novice forensic science technician may acquire practical training of various methods with which the forensic investigation is carried out.
Qualities a Forensic Science Technician should Possess
Certain skills or qualities a forensic science technician should possess to become an expert in his or her field include
- good communication skills
- critical thinking
- problem solving attitude
- Composure
- Better understanding of statistics
- Knowledge of natural sciences.
- Professionalism
- Objectivity
Scope for Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic Science Technician would find various job opportunities in government as well as private sector. Working with crime investigators, law enforcement agencies, legal system, CBI, CID etc are some of the job prospects a forensic scientists should look forward to. Other than that, in private agencies a forensic science technicians job description would include working on fields of construction sites, mechanical effect builders, research work, working on production lines, assisting production designer and art director, doing research on period and contemporary elements etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment