Science and technology advancements have provided the criminal justice system with a new set of tools to investigate crimes and prosecute criminals. Forensic scientists are professionals who use their scientific and technical knowledge to assist in the investigation of crimes. In order to work in this field, those in such positions must complete extensive and specialized training, and the qualifications required for each forensic specialty are different.
A bachelor’s degree is usually required of forensic scientists in any field. This is usually the minimum requirement for working as a technician in a laboratory that performs scientific testing for crime scenes or as a crime scene examiner. Degrees in biology or physical sciences provide some of the best preparation for performing tests as a laboratory technician, such as DNA analysis or particulate identification. In order to advance in a scientific field, a lab tech usually needs a bachelor’s degree.
For people who want to work as medical examiners, medical degrees are a common forensic scientist qualification. These are people who specialize in examining the bodies of people who have passed away. Medical examiners can determine the cause of death as well as collect additional evidence for analysis from the body. To enter medical school in many countries, aspiring medical examiners must complete undergraduate degrees that include extensive preparation in biology, mathematics, and physical sciences. For their postgraduate work, medical students can choose to specialize in forensics.
Digital forensics is a growing specialty in the field of criminal justice. Professionals in this field look for evidence of criminal activity on computers, smart phones, and other digital devices. Examining hard drives for deleted data, such as incriminating emails, pictures, or other documents, is one of the tasks performed by these individuals. Forensic scientist qualifications for digital forensics work typically include a graduate or undergraduate degree in computer science or computer engineering, though some universities offer specific degrees in computer or digital forensics.
Forensic psychologist qualifications include coursework in psychology and criminology for those who want to investigate how criminals think as forensic psychologists. These experts use previous quantitative research and statistical probability to determine the psychological characteristics of criminals, and they can apply the same training to help choose the best approaches to some crisis situations, such as hostage negotiations. Because the job market for forensic psychologists is competitive, those who pursue graduate degrees in psychology and criminology are more likely to find work in the field.