Friday, January 15, 2010

Forensic Science: Behind the Investigation



A forensic scientist is different from the average scientist. They help solve crimes by analyzing data and finding clues in evidence. They look for patterns in the weapon used to figure out what the exact type of weapon it was. They search for fingerprints or DNA on the evidence then analyze their findings to find the murderer or criminal. The word "Forensic" means "pertaining to the law".Forensic science is much like solving a puzzle, you're given the pieces but it's your job to figure out how all the pieces fit together. I would want to be a forensic scientist because I like solving puzzles. I'm a very observant person and I like to search for answers. Forensics is a challenging field of work and I like to be challenged. I also like the aspect of knowing I'm helping something or someone. I like the idea of working towards criminal justice, but I would want to be working in the background instead of on the front lines.

I am a visual learner, so I have to visualize things in order to know what to do. Forensic scientists visualize everything to come up with all possibilities of why something is there. They have to be able to work with the evidence by seeing it and visualizing what could have happened. They come up with theories to help visualize the crime. A lot of people are visual learners which will make this job more appealing to future generations. Also the fact that T.V. shows make being a forensic scientist look really exciting will help lead more people into the career of forensics. This scientific field isn't quite as alluring as shows like 'NCIS' and 'CSI' portray it as, but what's shown on these shows is a lot like what real-life forensics is like. Although forensics is difficult, in the future even more technology will be available to forensic scientists that could make this job more appealing.

A forensic scientist has to go through a lot of schooling, how much depends on what type of scientist you are. For example a medical examiner has to go through 7 or more years of schooling outside of the first four years of college. A medical degree is usually required, it's also good to have a chemistry or biology degree. A crime laboratory analyst needs a degree in a natural science and it's best to also have a degree in chemistry. All forensic science jobs require college degrees and most get paid well enough. Medical examiners get paid the most but they work in autopsy, so it involes cutting up dead bodies.



Photographs:
1st photo- Forensic Science

2nd photo- Fingerprints...

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