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Young Forensic Scientists Forum

Young Forensic Scientists Forum Newsletter - November 2000

The Straight Dope

Recently, the YFSF asked the AAFS Section Chairmen three burning questions that seemed to be of paramount importance in the professional lives of new forensic scientists everywhere.

1. What is the #1 expectation that you have for a
new hire/ first-year student in your field?
2. What is the greatest strength a new hire/first-year
student could have when starting with you?
3. What is the biggest weakness a new hire/first-year
student could have when starting with you?

Some great responses were received. The application will vary according to the chairman's current position. Read on…

From Joseph Prahlow, MD, Pathology/Biology Section Chairman:

1. Enthusiasm.
2. Integrity.
3. Unwillingness to work hard.

From Anthony Falsetti, PhD, Physical Anthropology Section Chairman, Director, C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory, and Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Florida-Gainesville:

1. I expect and hope for a smooth transition from undergraduate to graduate school. I have found that those who can make this transition are somewhat more mature, meaning they have participated in an internship or worked 'in the field' for a period of time. Now, if the student is moving from graduate school to graduate school (MA to PhD), then my expectation changes to one of commitment; is the student committed to performing doctoral work?
2. The greatest strength of a new student, whether moving from BA to MA or MA to PhD, is creativity and maturity. The individual needs to have both qualities for success. Maturity is required as they begin serious coursework as well as actual forensic anthropology casework.
3. The biggest weakness is lack of creativity and motivation. Graduate work requires a great deal of self-motivation, and is necessary to be successful in graduate school.

From Art Anthony, BS, Questioned Documents Section Chairman:
1. To work hard and to learn.
2. Enthusiasm.
3. Lack of experience.

From Larry Presley, MS, MA, Criminalistics Section Chairman,
FBI Academy, Forensic Science Research and Training Center

1. I would expect that a new hire would be technically and academically well-prepared. A good scientific background and underpinnings helps build a solid forensic scientist. I would prefer hands-on experience in a forensic discipline, gained primarily through a work-study or internship program.
2. The greatest strength would be an open, positive, and receptive mindset coupled with an eagerness for excellence in their work product regardless of the position level.
3. The biggest weakness would be lack of academic and technical knowledge. The hiring laboratory can develop work skills and responsibilities, but a weak scientific background is difficult to overcome, and could present difficulties in later court testimonies.
It is likely, especially with the driving forces of scientific and technical working groups, that new hires will need solid backgrounds in the sciences, particularly in molecular biology, chemistry, statistics, computer science, and genetics. Forensic science is based on the individualization and comparison of physical evidence, and relies heavily on established sciences to demonstrate the reliability of the evidence. Scientific and technical working groups and certification and accreditation processes are relying more and more on the demonstration of scientific and technical expertise. For example, the successful completion of proficiency testing in a forensic discipline is becoming the norm. Most current forensic science practitioners are specializing in relatively narrow areas of expertise, and a comprehensive technical competence in a specialized area is becoming the expectation in more courts. A well-rounded scientific background with a degree in biology or chemistry would be appropriate for many job openings in crime laboratories. DNA testing and drug analysis are areas in which jobs seem to be consistently available, but biology and chemistry degrees could be applicable to several forensic disciplines.