So you are thinking about a career in forensics. Whereas this is an excellent and fulfilling career path to choose, there is a lot to think about. There are many fields of forensics to choose from, each requiring different qualifications and covering different work. Some fields of forensics may seem completely unrelated. Before you decide on your career path, you should read up on the different paths you could take, along the way finding out what qualifications and traits you will need, as well as which field suits you best.

Alternatively you may already be working in a different field, but are looking to start work in one of the many areas of forensic science.

Either way, this page will cover all possible areas of forensic science careers. Here you can find out a few details on each field of forensics, and the required qualifications you will be required to have in order to work in that field. Some careers will require more qualifications than others.

There is one major fact to note before you look into a career in forensic science. Forensic scientists work in the justice system, so if you have a criminal record,you have virtuallyno chance of getting a job as a forensic scientist. If you use drugs this will also affect your chances of getting a job in forensics.

As you may know, there are many different fields in forensics, all of which require different qualifications and involve different tasks. But how to decide which field would suit you best? Listed below are all the possible jobs in forensics, each with a short description.

Ballistic Experts and Firearms Examiners - The job involves studying bullets, empty bullet cases, and guns to determine whether or not a specific gun was used, and how many shots were fired. Bullet trajectories are also determined in this job. A Bachelor's degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, toxicology, biochemistry, microbiology or a related field is required, and a major in a physical or natural science is usually desired, but not required.

Computer Forensic Investigators - This job entails preserving, identifying, extracting and documenting evidence stored in computers. This includes searching through computer documents for information and recovering deleted messages and emails. For this job in-depth knowledge of hardware and software is required. Most employers prefer candidates with education/training in computer science as well as forensics or criminal justice.

Crime Lab Technicians - Lab technicians assist forensic scientists in processing evidence. The pay received is usually quite good, and work is indoors with relatively stable working hours. At minimum they need a high school diploma, but most labs prefer their candidates to have a degree in a natural science such as biology. If you are interested in DNA analysis, a degree in biology with genetics and biochemistry is often required. If you are interested in trace evidence examination, good electives for the chemistry degree include optical mineralogy, microbiology, botany and textile courses.

Crime Scene Examiners/Investigators - This job involves the examination of crime scenes, detecting and collecting evidence. The working hours are very unstable, seeing as one works whenever and wherever a crime takes place, whether it be day or night, indoors or outdoors. The pay is not very high either. The required qualifications are usually a bachelor’s degree in a natural science, or a degree in criminal justice.

Environmental Forensics - Experts in this field investigate cases where contamination has occured, looking into when and how it occured and so on, and other similar situations. Forensics and geography courses would be most helpful in such a career.

Forensic Accountants - This involves analysing, investigating, testing and inspecting financial transactions in legal disputes. They work helping police follow paper trails and records. Required qualifications are that of a regular accountant, and perhaps some experience in forensics.

Forensic Anthropologists - Forensic anthropologists assist the police investigate crimes involving human bones as evidence. This involves identifying a person by the size and structure of their bones, and often facial reconstruction. Usually a PhD in anthropology is needed, though this is not always the case.

Forensic Archaeologists - Working closely with anthropologists, the forensic archaeology field often covers the examination of old historical material, exhumations, and excavations. For this job a degree in archaeology or paleopathology are usually required.

Forensic Artist - Forensic artists sketch pictures of suspects of witnesses' descriptions. Either sketching by hand or using computer simulation programs, the artist can compose images of the criminal. Sculpting models of supects' or victims' faces may also be part of the job. Employers prefer to hire forensic artists with a degree in art and some training in criminal justice. Training tends to be given when the artist is hired.

Forensic Astromoners - Not a very well-known career, forensic astronomy is a fairly new subject. The job includes applying the knowledge of astronomy to calculate such things as the visibility at the crime scene at the time of the crime, for example. Required qualifications would be that of a regular astronomer, though some experience in forensics would be ideal.

Forensic Biologists/Serologists - This job involves studying blood and other bodily fluids collected from a crime scene for identification purposes. Often involves DNA fingerprinting. At minimum a degree in biology, biochemistry or biotechnology is required, though often a PhD is wanted by employers.

Forensic Chemists - Involves carrying out chemical analysis of evidence, working in crime labs, and analysing evidence. Required qualifications are a degree in chemistry with course work in biology, biochemistry and criminal justice. To advance, a master's degree is needed.

Forensic/ Crime Scene Photographers - This job involves photographing the crime scene and victim from different angles, maintaining photographic equipment, and sometimes creating video and digital images. Training in photography and criminal justice is required.

Forensic Document Examiners - Analysing handwriting, typewriting, commercial printing, photocopies, papers, inks, and other documentary evidence to establish authenticity. These workers play a vital role in detecting forgeries. As document examination courses do not tend to be offered in colleges and universities, a degree forensic science is required.

Forensic Engineers - These engineers apply knowledge of engineering, construction manufacturing and codes to the interpretation pf physical evidence. Traffic accidents and fire investigations are also a major part of this career. The pay scheme of a forensic engineer is fairly high, and the working hours are stable. As well as all qualifications of an engineer, a qualification such as chemical engineering is needed, or electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, materials engineering and traffic engineering. Experience is also often wanted by employers.

Forensic Entomologists - Includes studying insects in the aid of legal investigations, such as deciding to time of death for a victim. A PhD in entomology is usually required, along with education or experience in forensics.

Fingerprint Examiners/Specialists - The job includes recovering, collecting and examining latent fingerprints, palm prints and footprints left at a crime scene. Comparing prints and reporting on them is also carried out. Usually requires a degree in forensic, physical or natural science, though employers have been known to hire high school or college graduates whilst offering training.

Forensic Geologists - Applying the study of the history, structure and origin of the earth to aid legal investigations. Includes the likes of examining the ground around an outdoor crime scene. A master's degree or PhD in geology is required to work in this field.

Forensic Knot Specialist - Not one of the most well-known careers, but a forensic knot specialist can help greatly in investigations. These specialists are more commonly used in cases of hangings, for example, plus any other situation in which it is required to know who tied a knot.

Forensic Linguists - Involves analysing the spoken or written word to aid legal investigations. This includes comparing voices, and deciding on the origin of a voice. A master's degree in linguistics is required, plus many have PhDs, though this is not required.

Forensic Medical Advisers - These are doctors who counsel lawyers, their clients, law enforcement officials, and others involved in legal investigations. Required certificates are those required of all physicians and specialising in certain areas.

Forensic Meteorologists - This job involves researching weather documents for use in the court room. This will often be reporting on the weather conditions and how they may have affected or caused an accident (fire, traffic accident, etc). Education required would be that of a meteorologist plus some experience in forensics.

Forensic Musicologist - This job involves using the knowledge of music to detect crimes such as music piracy.

Forensic Nurses - Forensic nurses carry out different types of nursing work associated with legal investigations. This includes giving expert testimony and providing nursing services to victims. Most forensic nurses work with sexual assault victims. Being a licensed or registered nurse is required, as well as needing additional training provided by their employer.

Forensic Odontologists - This job involves collecting and evaluating dental evidence in legal investigations, and includes identifying remains and criminals by dentistry. The forensic odontologist has similar qualifications to the medical examiner/pathologist, though in dentistry and the same as that of a regular registered dentist.

Forensic Pathologists - Applying the principles of pathology to legal investigations. The job includes investigating violent deaths, sudden deaths, and any other deaths that may seem suspicious, as well as performing autopsies to determine cause of death. This is one of the highest paid careers in forensics, but there is more to deal with. Along with many years extra in education, including over 7 years of college, the hours are uncertain. Required qualifications are certification of a medical doctor, plus state licensing. A chemistry or biology degree at undergraduate level is a good start

Forensic Physiologists - This is the knowledge of physiology used to aid legal investigations in a number of ways. Qualifications required would usually be that of a regular physiologist plus some experience or education in forensic science.

Forensic Podiatrist - Forensic podiatry mainly covers individualisation from footwear, barefoot print analysis, CCTV individualisation, and identification used podiatry records. A degree in a biological science and some experience in forensics is usually required.

Forensic Psychologists - This job applies psychology to legal issues. It involves participating in all steps of legal investigations, including crime scene observations as well as evaluating suspects. They are often called to give evidence in the court of law. A master's degree and PhD in psychology is often required, plus preferably a qualification in criminal justice. Employer’s often prefere to hire individuals with experience as a investigator.

Forensic Social Workers - This job consists of carrying out social work associated with legal investigations. This includes evaluating the social history and state of prisoners, those committed to psychiatric hospitals by law, and criminal defendants. A degree in psychology or social work is required for this job.

Forensic Technicians and Evidence Specialists - This job involves receiving, recording, labelling and storing evidence. Technicians and evidence specialists are required to keep information regarding evidence confidential. The minimum required education is simply high school diploma, but having attended college is preferred.

Forensic Toxicologists - This includes investigating the role of chemicals or drugs in legal investigations. Post mortem forensic toxicologists determine how drugs or chemicals contributed to a person's death, whilst other toxicologists help investigate crimes which consumption of alcohol or drugs plays a part. Other duties may involve drug testing. Forensic toxicologists require a degree in applied science (usually chemistry) with course work in pharmacology.

Underwater Forensics - If you are a trained scuba diver, it is possible to assist in investigations. If any evidence or a body is known to be underwater, specially trained scuba divers are always needed to assist in recovering the items or remains.

Forensic Veterinary Surgeon - The Forensic Veterinary Surgeon carries out autopsies on dead animals, trying to determine the cause of death, just as the pathologist does with humans. Forensic veterinary surgeons are often used in suspicious animal deaths and dealings.

Forensic Wildlife Scientists - A fairly new filed. This job involves helping to investigate legal disputes that involved wildlife. Types of cases include poaching violations and other hunting regulations. Forensic wildlife scientists are usually biologists or chemists.

You will need good speaking skills and good note-taking skills, as well as being able to work in a team. You will also need to be able to write understandable scientific reports.

Unfortunatly, this question is impossible to answer. The wages paid all depend on what field you work in, how much experience you have, what qualifications you have, and of course the different employers will make a difference as well.

Depending on your chosen field, you may be working in a laboratory, in an office, in a morgue, at crime scenes, or even in a university.

It is always a good idea to study at least one of the sciences in high school, and then also take up a science for post-high school education. When it comes to decided what to study at college or university, that would depend on exactly what field you wish to work in. If you are unsure, aiming for a bachelors degree in forensic science is always a good option.

Due to the sensitive nature of the work involved, and the fact that it relates to criminal justice, work experience or laboratory visits are very rarely permitted.

You can start by looking in local newspapers, or on the internet. Alternatively you could contact any establishments in your area to find out if they are hiring. If not, they may be willing to contact you in the future with job vacancies.

What are the rewards of a career in forensic science?

Firstly, the job can be very challenging at times, and so it will be more fulfilling when you complete a task. The work will usually be quite exciting, as you are dealing with different situations all the time. As you will be working in a field relating to criminal justice, knowing that you are doing good and helping others will be very fulfilling.