Forensic Science Help (credit, degrees, profit, degree)

[DuckCommander]

My wife is getting ready to finish her bachelor's in criminal justice, forensic science. Any advice about this job market? States or areas for her to start looking for a job? Any information is extremely helpful!

[MSchemist80]

Most forensic evidence technicians have a BS in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology (molecular concentration). I hope she didn't go to one of those unaccredited for-profits or she is sunk. A BS in criminal justice/or forensics is not recommended due to its very narrow focus. MSc programs in forensics are helpful though.

The market kind of stinks. There are only a few employers, usually state govts, and right now they are not doing well financially. Also thanks to shows like CSI there is huge competition for those jobs even though they are not even remotely as interesting as the TV shows suggest. That is another reason why forensics BSc's are not recommended. It is simple to train a chemist to be an evidence tech but not vice-versa so you are very limited. Most forensics departments don't prefer forensics degrees anyways.

The job is mostly very routine testing following the established protocols exactly and filling out hordes of paperwork with absolutely no mistakes as lawyers love to attack that stuff in court. It is actually insanely boring from what I understand. It is running an assembly line of DNA tests or GC-MS for drug residues.

[Braunwyn]

I agree with MSchemist. It's pretty well known that the field is very competitive and low paying. I didn't know there was a CJ/FS combination. I always though it was an off shoot from chem.

Duck, what did her course work entail?

[DuckCommander]

I understand it's a "boring" job. That's not what I was asking. She did go to a online school for most of it, but it is nationally accredited. Her major is CJ with a concentration in forensics. She attended online classes because I am in the military and we moved out of the States so it was her only option. Thanks.

[DuckCommander]

Let me re-word this post. My wife is interested in working in a forensic lab. (Not because she watches TV crime shows like CSI, just because she wants too.) We are currently not in the States so she is taking classes on line (I know online classes are not the best.) What is her best chance at landing one of these jobs. Or what steps should she take to make herself more competitive for one of these jobs?

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by DuckCommander

Let me re-word this post. My wife is interested in working in a forensic lab. (Not because she watches TV crime shows like CSI, just because she wants too.) We are currently not in the States so she is taking classes on line (I know online classes are not the best.) What is her best chance at landing one of these jobs. Or what steps should she take to make herself more competitive for one of these jobs?

I'm guessing that she would need to have some kind of undergrad physical science degree to get into a lab, which doesn't seem possible to obtain on line because lab courses aren't available on line. She might be able to transfer some of her course work to a brick and mortar when you both return home. Again, it would be easier knowing what course work she's had so far as far the sciences go.

eta: I'm doing a bit of reading and I'm finding info like this. It notes a number of online schools.

Choosing a forensic science degree program that fits your career preparation needs is critical to future success. Those interested in a DNA, toxicology or related laboratory career in forensic science will want to choose a bachelor's degree program with concentrations in biology or chemistry. Those interested in forensic science field work such as, crime scene investigation, evidence collection in law enforcement and criminal investigations will benefit from a criminal justice bachelor's degree program with a minor or concentration in forensic science.

If she wants to work in a lab, then again, she's going to have to get some laboratory course work under her belt. Typical science degrees usually have a number of labs per year (physics labs, chem labs, etc). Based on what I'm reading her education would suit her to work in the field. As far as accreditation from online schools go, eh, there's a lot of funny business going on when it comes to online and for profit schools. It's probably best to participate in an online program coming from a brick and mortar school. Is that what she did?

[MSchemist80]

I still can't see getting a science degree online. You need experience in a lab making solutions, using pippettes, and preferably using more complicated aparati like gas chromatograph-mass spectrometers.

I can't see them hiring her with just an online degree.

In my state Illinois you have to take an exam then you are put in an applicant pool. I did that way back when and even though I aced both exams (I went for both molecular biology and chemistry) I never heard from them again and my results expired. It is a very competitive field and the Illinois state police run all forensics in the state.

[goto]

1. Degree in a physical science. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, ect. Forensic Science is also good, as long as it was science and lab oriented.

2. Intern with a medical lab or forensics lab if possible.

3. Get hired by a law enforcement agency and try a lateral transfer into the forensic/crime scene unit.

The competition is fierce, getting hired straight into the desired position is exceedingly difficult without years of law enforcement experience and/or a strong educational background (masters or PH.D).

(Note: I don't work in a forensics lab, but I do work for crime scene at a police department).

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by DuckCommander

I understand it's a "boring" job. That's not what I was asking. She did go to a online school for most of it, but it is nationally accredited. Her major is CJ with a concentration in forensics. She attended online classes because I am in the military and we moved out of the States so it was her only option. Thanks.

She is going to need lab work!

[Schrodinger's Kittens]

While all things are subject to personal interpretation, I disagree with the people who say it's a boring/low-paying job. I've worked at one of the 10-biggest police departments in the US as a forensic chemist for several years and sure there are parts of the job that are routine, just like anywhere else, but I've gotten to be a part of some really cool things too. And while you may not get rich doing the work, you won't worry about where your next meal is coming from either.

Having said that, your wife's background isn't really appropriate for a job in the crime lab. Her background is more in line with work as a crime statistician or, if she is knowledgeable about computers, a computer forensics position. Depending on where you end up living, she may also have a shot at being a crime scene investigator, if she is interested in that. Some departments use police officers as CSIs and other departments use civilian CSIs. The best way to find out is to call a department she's interested in working for and ask.

Lastly, TV has had an impact on the popularity of this type of work but that is starting to fade now, probably because people have been told enough times "It's TV, that's not how it works in real life!"