Forensic scientists analyze the evidence they receive from police, prepare reports describing the results of their analysis. Whenever a crime is committed every piece of evidence, like hair, fiber samples, pieces of clothing, and some personal belongings that could provide clues to solving the case are turned over to forensic scientists for analysis. Their analyses involve a variety of sciences, mathematical and problem solving methods, including use of complex instruments. Persons employed in large laboratories tend to specialize. Most crime lab professionals work in one or more of the following areas. Controlled substances and toxicology. Crime lab professionals specializing in this area examine blood and other body fluids and tissues for the presence of alcohol, drugs, and poisons. Biology Crime lab professionals compare body fluids and hair for typing factors, including DNA analysis. DNA analysis determines how frequently parts of a person’s genetic code are found in the population; forensic scientists isolate DNA strands from an individual’s body fluids to compare that person’s unique DNA to the DNA of a sample of others. (HALL PARA 4-8)
The outlook overall the expected to grow 12 percent during the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations (KAY PARA 1).The continued growth of scientific and medical research—particularly research related to biotechnology—will be the primary driver of employment growth, but the development and production of technical products should also stimulate demand for science technicians in many industries. Employment of biological technicians should increase faster than the average, as the growing number of agricultural and medicinal products developed with the use of biotechnology techniques boosts demand for these workers. Job growth for chemical technicians is projected to grow more slowly than the average. The chemical manufacturing industry, except pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, is anticipated to experience a decline in overall employment as companies downsize and turn to outside contractors to provide specialized services. Employment of environmental science and protection technicians is expected to grow much faster than the average; these workers will be needed to help regulate waste products; to collect air, water, and soil samples for measuring levels of pollutants; to monitor compliance with environmental regulations; and to clean up contaminated sites. An expected decline in employment of forest and conservation technicians within the Federal Government will lead to little or no change in employment in this specialty, due to budgetary constraints and continued reductions in demand for timber management on Federal lands. Employment of agricultural and food science technicians is projected to grow about as fast as the average. Jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to increase much faster than the average. Employment growth in State and local government should be driven by the increasing application of forensic science to examine, solve, and prevent crime. Crime scene technicians who work for State and county crime labs should experience favorable employment prospects resulting from strong job growth. Which this is something I am considering on doing. Job prospects. In addition to job openings created by growth, many openings should arise from the need to replace technicians who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Job opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of applied science technology programs who are well trained on equipment used in laboratories or production facilities. As the instrumentation and techniques used in industrial research, development, and production become increasingly more complex, employers will seek individuals with highly developed technical skills. Good communication skills are also increasingly sought by employers. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm PARA 30-40)
There are several ways to qualify for a job as a science technician. Many employers prefer applicants who have at least 2 years of specialized training or an associate degree in applied science or science-related technology. Because employers’ preferences vary, however, some science technicians have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science or have completed several science and math courses at a 4-year college. Whatever their degree, science technicians usually need hands-on training either in school or on the job. Most can get good career preparation through 2-year formal training programs that combine the teaching of scientific principles and theory with practical hands-on application in a laboratory setting with up-to-date equipment. Graduates of bachelor’s degree programs in science who have considerable experience in laboratory-based courses, have completed internships, or have held summer jobs in laboratories also are well qualified for science technician positions and are preferred by some employers. Job candidates, who have extensive hands-on experience with a variety of laboratory equipment, including computers and related equipment, usually require a short period of on-the-job training. Those with a high school diploma and no college degree typically begin work as trainees under the direct supervision of a more experienced technician. Many with a high school diploma eventually earn a 2-year degree in science technology, often paid for by their employer. Many technical and community colleges offer associate degrees in a specific technology or more general education in science and mathematics. A number of associate degree programs are designed to provide easy transfer to bachelor’s degree programs at colleges or universities. Technical institutes usually offer technician training, but they provide less theory and general education than do community colleges. The length of programs at technical institutes varies, although 1-year certificate programs and 2-year associate degree programs are common. Prospective forestry and conservation technicians can choose from more than 20 associate degree programs in forest technology accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Around 30 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree program in forensic science; about another 25 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in a natural science with an emphasis on forensic science or criminology; a few additional schools offer a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in a specialty area, such as criminology, pathology, jurisprudence, investigation, odontology, toxicology, or forensic accounting. Some schools offer cooperative-education or internship programs, allowing students the opportunity to work at a local company or some other workplace while attending classes during alternate terms. Participation in such programs can significantly enhance a student’s employment prospects. People interested in careers as science technicians should take as many high school science and math courses as possible. Science courses taken beyond high school, in an associate or bachelor’s degree program, should be laboratory oriented, with an emphasis on bench skills. A solid background in applied chemistry, physics, and math is vital. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm PARA 17-25)
All earnings depending on which part of the field you are interested in can range from 31.49 to 14.84 dollars an hour. In 2007, the average annual salary in the Federal Government was $40,629 for biological science technicians; $53,026 for physical science technicians; $40,534 for forestry technicians; $54,081 for geodetic technicians; $50,337 for hydrologic technicians; and $63,396 for meteorological technicians. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm PARA 43-45)
Overall this research paper has shown me that this career has a lot to offer and there are many different ways of going through this career and that there’s many careers to choose from and quite a few have really caught my interest, it’s just a matter of really narrowing it down to what will be good for me in the long run and if for some reason whatever I may choose won’t work out for me, there will always be a back up.
WORK CITED
Dillon, Hall. "Forensic Scientist: Career in a Crime Lab." 1999. Google. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10 Dec, 2008 <>.
"Forensic Techn." Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. 2007. internet. Breau of Labor Statistics, 13 Dec 2008
Mc Kay, Dawn. "Forensic Science Technician: Career Information." About.com. 2008. Internet. Beau of labor statistics/ about.com, 10 Dec 2008
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