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Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - July 2002 The
Curving Path to a Career in Forensic Science |
| While I gained an interest in criminology during high school, it was not until later that I truly understood the field of forensics. I was fascinated with how crimes were solved in books that I would read and movies that I would watch. I found myself working with the detective in these plots to help solve the crime because it was the detective who was portrayed as the crime solver. I decided that I was going to graduate from high school and major in Law Enforcement to become a detective. I wanted to solve the crimes. My first taste of forensics came when I toured the FBI building the summer before I started college. One of the stops along the tour was at the forensic laboratory. This experience peaked my interests, but not a lot of emphasis was placed on forensics as an important field in solving crimes. I went on to major in Law Enforcement. During my second year of college, I was required to take a class entitled "Evidence and Procedure." This class fueled my fascination in forensic science. It also made me realize just how important this field is to solving crimes. By the end of the semester, I found myself exploring this field as a career possibility. I wanted to experience the field so I took an elective class that allowed me to do ride-alongs with the Crime Scene Unit. One of the technicians who I was riding with informed me that she had a very difficult time getting her position. I was very discouraged by this because I thought the only position available to people in forensics was the crime scene technician. By doing further research on the field and visiting the technicians working in the lab, I quickly learned that there are many specialties within the forensic field. I was not limited to one particular career path. After obtaining my associate’s degree in law enforcement, I am now pursuing a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. I emailed someone with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and was told that it would be best to major in a natural science for my undergraduate degree and then to major in forensic science for my graduate degree. I chose biochemistry because I love biology and because the field is related predominantly to chemistry. Once I obtain a master's degree in forensic science, I hope to find a job with either a police department, a medical examiner's office, or a government agency. While I still have a great respect for the crime solving detective, I find myself with a new appreciation for the forensics team. I now realize that a key part of investigating a crime lies within the forensics field, and that without the help of these professionals, many detectives' cases would remain unsolved. |
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© 2002 Young Forensic Scientists Forum / American Academy of Forensic Sciences |