Application
Requirements
General
Questions about Forensic Science
Brief outline of forensic science-related careers
What
are the basic application requirements?
To be eligible for consideration, applicants to the Forensic Science Masters
program at Michigan State University must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA
of at least 3.0. Please note that in recent years, successful applicants have
generally have GPAs of 3.5 or better.
Applicants must have completed or be near completion of a Bachelors of Science
degree from an accredited institution in a major appropriate to the concentration
sought. For example, applicants interested in the Forensic Chemistry concentration
should have a BS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Chemical Engineering; those
interested in the Forensic Biology concentration should have a BS in Biology,
Human Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, etc.; and
applicants interested in the Forensic Anthropology concentration should have
a bachelors in Anthropology with an emphasis in Physical Anthropology.
Please see Application
Instructions for more information.
Are there any undergraduate courses recommended in preparation for graduate
study in forensic science, or for application to the program?
The coordinators of each concentration have identified a number of undergraduate
courses that have proven helpful in pursuing graduate study in forensic science.
These may already be included in an applicant's undergraduate program requirements;
if not, it is suggested that these courses be taken as electives.
Forensic Chemistry: general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, quantitative analysis, instrumental methods, and physical chemistry. Laboratory research experience is preferred.
Forensic Biology: genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, general and organic chemistry. Population genetics and biostatistics may be helpful. Laboratory research experience preferred.
Forensic Anthropology: genetics, anatomy, human skeletal biology, general biology.
Although my degree is in
an unrelated field of study, I have taken quite a few science courses. Am I
eligible to apply?
No. A strong science background is required for admission to the Forensic Science
Masters program (as well as future employment in a crime laboratory), and an
applicant's degree must be in a biological, natural, or physical science.
Forensic science is the application of scientific methods and processes to matters that involve crime or the public. There are many branches of forensic science because almost any science has some applications to public or criminal matters. Some of the main areas of forensic science are listed below:
Chemistry
Biology
Criminalistics
Pathology
Entomology
Psychology
Dentistry/Odontology
Engineering
Geology
Anthropology
What does a forensic scientist do?
A forensic scientist is a scientist who usually works in a laboratory setting
analyzing particular types of evidence, writing reports and testifying in court
as an expert witness. In some cases, forensic scientists may attend crime or
other incident scenes to help reconstruct the crime, or help in the recognition,
collection, and preservation of evidence within their specialty. For example,
a forensic anthropologist may be called upon to collect skeletal remains found
in the woods. A forensic chemist may be asked to help in the processing of a
clandestine drug laboratory. A trace evidence examiner may be asked to collect
hairs and fibers and other traces from a homicide scene. Usually the crime scene
component of the job of a forensic scientist is a relatively minor part of the
duties.
Many forensic scientists work in forensic science (crime) laboratories. In the
United States, there are more than 4000 crime laboratories, administered by
the federal, state, or local governments or private industry. Most crime laboratories
employ scientists in the areas of forensic chemistry (drugs, toxicology, trace
evidence, explosives, fires, etc.) forensic biology (mainly DNA and body fluids
and tissues), and criminalistics (fingerprints, questioned documents, firearms,
and toolmarks).
What is the best route to prepare for a career as a forensic scientist?
In order to become a forensic scientist,
one must become well grounded in the sciences that are important to that discipline.
For example, a forensic pathologist must be educated in medicine and pathology.
A forensic entomologist must be educated in the biological sciences and entomology.
If you wish to work in a crime laboratory as a forensic chemist or biologist,
you must have a thorough grounding in the basic sciences of chemistry, biology,
physics, and mathematics. This can be achieved by obtaining a college degree
in one of these sciences, making sure that the others are also covered. Courses
in criminal justice may be useful to some extent, but a major in criminal justice
is not adequate preparation for a career in forensic science. Crime laboratory
directors look first for a solid science background in deciding to hire a forensic
scientist.
After obtaining this strong, broad science background, it is best to specialize
in the areas of forensic science in which you are most interested. You may go
on to medical school to become a forensic pathologist. You may wish to obtain
a masters degree or Ph.D. in engineering to become a forensic engineer. To prepare
for a career as a forensic scientist in a crime laboratory, it is recommended
that you pursue a masters degree in forensic science.
Where is forensic science taught in the United States and around the world?
A list of forensic science programs worldwide can be found by going to the American Academy of Forensic Science webpage. There are a wide variety of programs at the bachelors and masters levels, and a few Ph.D. programs are listed as well. You should visit any school you contemplate attending, and discuss the program in detail with the faculty or administrator(s) before making a decision.
Where can I find more information about forensic science laboratories?
You can contact your local crime laboratory or check out the website of the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) website.
What is a crime scene investigator?
Crime scene investigators or technicians
are people who are trained to secure crime scenes and then search for, collect
and preserve physical evidence. This evidence is then shipped to a crime laboratory
where forensic scientists perform examinations on the evidence. Crime scene
technicians seldom do any analysis or processing of evidence, although some
are trained in blood spatter analysis or fingerprint processing, etc.
Historically, crime scene investigators have been sworn police officers, but
the present trend is toward "civilianizing" this unit - hiring and
training non-police personnel. To prepare for a career in crime scene technology,
a science background would be helpful, especially if there is some forensic
science in it. Beyond that, you should pursue a college degree that is suitable
for becoming a police officer. Law enforcement and criminal justice are examples
of majors that would be helpful here.
What is a forensic
anthropologist?
A forensic anthropologist is one who is educated in physical anthropology (particularly
skeletal biology), archaeology, anatomy and allied sciences, usually with a
Ph.D. There are few people who make a living solely as a forensic anthropologist.
Instead, most are connected with universities and lend their talents to police
agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys or courts. Other forensic anthropologists
work with state, regional or national government agencies and may be involved
in the identification of victims of mass disasters or international war crimes.
There is a certification process for the forensic anthropologist.
What is a forensic
pathologist?
A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor whose job is to determine the cause
and/or manner of death in cases of suspicious death. They are sometimes referred
to as medical examiners or coroners, depending on the state. A forensic pathologist
has a college degree, followed by a medical degree, and a 3-4 year residency
in pathology. There are also some additional residencies in forensic pathology
that can lead to certification as a forensic pathologist.
What is a forensic entomologist?
A forensic entomologist has extensive
education and training in entomology, usually with a Ph.D. Almost no one makes
a living in the United States solely with forensic entomology work. Instead,
most are connected with a university and lend their talents to police agencies,
prosecutors, defense attorneys, or courts.
What is a forensic (police) psychologist?
Many people wish to become involved
in what has popularly become known as “forensic psychology”. They
want to be involved in psychological crime scene reconstruction, psychological
profiling and tracking serial criminals. Strictly speaking, this is not forensic
psychology. This is police psychology or a form of criminal psychology. Forensic
psychology deals with the determination of the ability of an accused person
to assist in his own defense or stand trial.
There are few if any universities or colleges that have formal educational programs
in police psychology, as most psychology departments consider this too applied.
To get into this field, the best course of action is to get a strong clinical
psychology background (a Ph.D. is preferred) and then obtain employment with
a large police department or other law enforcement agency that has a behavioral
science unit.
The job market for criminal psychologists
is very small. We have very few serial rapists or murderers in the United States
to profile, and the FBI behavioral science unit will perform this function at
no cost for law enforcement agencies. Most police departments cannot afford
to hire a police psychologist full time.
What is Criminology?
The term criminology is sometimes used interchangeably with forensic
science. In fact, criminology is a social science that studies how and why people
commit crimes, or crime causation. It is part of most criminal justice curricula
in colleges and universities.