What is the career path for a forensic scientist?

The career path for a forensic scientist involves jobs as a police officer, crime scene investigator, and forensic scientist. The career path for a forensic scientist has a few off-and-on ramps in terms of specific education, professional experience, and roles that can be obtained.

Here is a look at the career path for a forensic scientist:

• Education

A minority of forensic scientists can break into the field without a college education. These are usually police officers that transition into becoming crime scene investigators. However, in general, most aspiring forensic scientists need at least a bachelor's degree in forensic science. Many also try to take coursework related to these areas:

• Criminal Law

• Criminalistics

• Firearms Examination

• Forensic Geology

• Laws of Evidence

• Forensic Microscopy

Those looking to advance far on the forensic science career path should consider getting a master's degree. When pursuing a master's degree in this field candidates study coursework in the following areas:

• Criminalistics

• Molecular Biology

• Forensic Toxicology

• Forensic DNA Serology

• Forensic Drug Chemistry

• Forensic Toxicology

Those looking to establish an academic career in the field as forensic science professors at a university or college should obtain a Ph.D. in the area.

• Professional Experience

Many of those looking to build a career in this field utilize internship programs either while in the last year of their college education or immediately after they graduate with a degree. Internships help candidates to gain essential hands-on experience and knowledge in the field of forensic science.

Here are some of the most common places to find a forensic science-related internship:

• Local police departments

• State police departments

• Crime labs

Useful experience in this field can also be gained by interning or working in any type of laboratory setting. After an internship aspiring forensic scientists can obtain positions working for law enforcement agencies. Here are some of the most common positions on the forensic scientist career path:

• Crime scene investigator

• Fingerprint technician

• Evidence technician

• Forensic science technician

• Forensic specialist

• Forensic investigator

• Forensic accountant