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The field of forensic science is trendy, driven in part by television shows, sensationalist media, and the near-universal desire to have an exciting and meaningful career.
#FIU LABMANAGER II SALARY PROFESSIONAL#
Read on to discover the career outlook for forensic scientists and learn about various specializations and professional certification options.
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They may work in the public or private sector, but the vast majority are employed by the local and state governments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS 2021). There is a slew of forensic science subfields recognized by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB)-including bloodstain analysis, document examination, medicolegal death investigation, and more-covered in the “Specialities” section below. Forensic scientists can use this information to generate a DNA profile to rule out or confirm criminal suspects accurately. Christopher Ehrhardt at the Virginia Commonwealth University and his research team have developed a cutting-edge technique that preserves the integrity of physical evidence while revealing more information about it, such as the age and sex, by encasing a cell in a drop of water. In a laboratory, forensic scientist researchers are making breakthroughs in evidence collection. So what is it that forensic scientists actually do? Forensic science work occurs in two environments: collecting evidence from crime scenes and analyzing evidence in laboratories.Īt a crime scene, according to the American Academy of Forensic Scientists (AAFS), forensic scientists analyze a variety of evidence types (e.g., soils, bodily fluids, fibers, plants, explosives, etc.) utilize sophisticated chemical and biological technologies (e.g., mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, etc.) document findings in photographs, drawings, and reports liaise with various specialists reconstruct crime scenes and testify in court as expert witnesses when necessary. Forensic scientists are responsible for solving some of the world’s most egregious abuses of people, institutions, and the environment. These crime-fighting professionals carefully collect, process, and document pieces of evidence that are often invisible to the naked eye. Forensic Scientist Education, Career Outlook & Salaryįorensic science occupies the intersection of the law and laboratory analyses.
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