Forensic Science Minor

Career Areas

• Crime scene reconstruction and mapping
• Fingerprint examination
• Firearm and toolmark identification
• Fire and explosives investigation
• Trace evidence collection
• DNA collection and testing
• Drug analysis
• Photography
• Blood spatter
• Wildlife forensics
• Computer evidence examination/Computer forensic science

Employers

• Medical examiner
• Coroner
• Police department
• Sheriff
• Crime labs
• District attorney
• Drug Enforcement Agency
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
• U.S. Department of Justice
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Central Intelligence Agency
• U.S. Secret Service
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Consulting firms

General Information

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics, or a related science.
• Supplement major with math, English, public speaking, and forensic science classes.
• Choose courses with laboratory components to build instrumentation skills.
• Seek experience through volunteer positions and/or internships in criminal justice settings.
• Consider completing a forensic research project in partnership with a professor.
• Join student chapters of professional organizations.
• Attain proficiency in writing and understanding scientific reports.
• Pursue certification by the American Board of Criminalistics.
• Earn a master’s degree for advanced opportunities.

Career Areas

• Ante-mortem investigation (DUI)
• Post-mortem investigation
• Drug testing (e.g., sweat, hair, saliva, blood, urine)
• Human performance monitoring
• Animal performance monitoring
• Environmental contamination testing

Employers

• Law enforcement/crime
• Hospitals, medical examiner, coroner
• Horse racing, sports testing
• Private
• University
• Government laboratories
• Consulting firms

General Information

• Complete an undergraduate degree in a science such as chemistry, clinical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, or related field.
• Supplement degree with coursework in physics, computer science, statistics, math, and forensic science.
• Seek laboratory experience to develop knowledge of analytical chemistry techniques and instruments such as gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrophotometry, UV-Visible spectrophotometry, etc.
• Develop excellent report writing and public speaking skills, as forensic toxicologists may be required to describe complex processes to people without scientific training.
• Join student chapters of professional organizations.
• Plan to pursue a master’s degree or Ph.D. in forensic toxicology for increased opportunities.
• Investigate certification options offered by The American Board of Forensic Toxicology or The Forensic Toxicology Certification Board.

Career Areas

• Examination/Analysis
• Comparison
• Authentication
• Alteration detection
• Restoration

Employers

• Police departments
• Sheriff offices
• Crime labs
• Law offices
• Insurance companies
• Hospitals
• State and federal bureaus of investigation
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service Headquarters
• U.S. Secret Service
• U.S. Armed Forces
• Private practice

General Information

• Obtain a bachelor’s degree in a science discipline such as biology or chemistry.
• Take courses in forensic document examination, forensic science, criminal justice, or criminalistics.
• Cultivate attention to detail and laboratory techniques used for physical and chemical analyses.
• Develop communication skills including public speaking to provide expert testimonials and written communication skills for compiling reports.
• Become familiar with various types of paper, ink, toner, correction material, printing processes, etc.
• Maintain current knowledge of new technologies in the field through journals.
• Plan to complete a two-year apprenticeship under the supervision of a recognized professional affiliated with the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners.

Career Areas

• Post-mortem identification (mass fatalities, homicide)
• Age estimation
• DNA collection and testing (salivary)
• Dental malpractice

Employers

• Medical examiners
• Coroners
• Government agencies
• U.S. Armed Forces
• Law firms
• Clinics
• Private practice

General Information

• Forensic odontologists typically serve as general dentists and perform “on call” forensic examinations on contractual bases.
• There is no specific major required to apply to dental school, though many students major in biological sciences.
• Research prerequisites for dental schools, and choose an undergraduate major that matches your interests and program requirements.
• Earn superior undergraduate grades and secure strong faculty recommendations for admission to top-tier dental schools.
• Prepare for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), as DAT scores are a major consideration for acceptance into dental school.
• Plan to shadow dentists and conduct informational interviews, particularly with those who perform forensic examinations.
• Join student chapters of related organizations.
• Pursue certification offered by the American Board of Forensic Odontology, which requires documentation of work in the field and examinations.

Career Areas

• Post-mortem investigation
• Post-mortem identification
• Post-mortem examination/autopsy
• Cause/Time of death determination
• Physical evidence collection/analysis
• Disease study
• Clinical forensic pathology (investigations of the living)
• Injury interpretation (abuse)

Employers

• City, county, state, and federal governments
• U.S. Armed Forces
• College and university medical schools
• Hospitals
• Private organizations

General Information

• Forensic pathologists are medical doctors who have completed M.D. or D.O. degrees.
• Research prerequisites for medical schools, and choose an undergraduate focus that meets program requirements.
• Supplement coursework with forensic science classes to increase knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques relevant to investigations.
• Earn high grades and seek strong faculty recommendations for admission to medical school.
• Prepare appropriately to earn a high Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score.
• Volunteer/shadow in healthcare environments such as hospitals, clinics, or medical examiner offices.
• Participate in student chapters of health or forensic-related professional organizations.
• Develop strong oral and written communication skills for speaking with non-medical professionals, including victim families and jurors, and for completing detailed reports.

Career Areas

• Human skeletal recovery
• Human skeletal identification
• Animal skeletal identification
• Soil/Vegetation analysis
• Crime scene investigation
• Facial reproduction
• Body decomposition
• Injury interpretation
• Teaching

Employers

• Medical examiners
• Law enforcement agencies
• Private labs
• Local, state, and federal government
• Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
• Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC)
• Museums
• Non-government organizations
• Colleges and universities

General Information

• Obtain a bachelor’s degree in anthropology or a related field such as biology or sociology with a minor in anthropology.
• Complete additional coursework in forensic science, statistics, archaeological recovery, GIS, anatomy, and skeletal biology.
• Demonstrate curiosity, analytical thinking skills, and the ability to persevere through potentially lengthy assignments.
• Develop strong oral communication skills, and learn to write detailed scientific reports.
• Seek student-membership in professional organizations.
• Gain research experience by assisting professors or other professionals with forensic anthropology casework.
• Seek internships or volunteer opportunities in museums, and prepare to relocate to access the most employment opportunities.
• Maintain a high grade point average and establish strong recommendations for admission to top graduate programs in the field.
• Plan to earn at least a Master’s degree in anthropology to access most jobs in the field.
• Earn a Ph.D. in physical or forensic anthropology for university and college faculty positions and advanced research posts. Many forensic anthropologists teach and conduct research in addition to casework.
• Research certification offered through the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, which requires demonstrated experience and examinations.

Career Areas

• Criminal responsibility determination
• Competency determination
• Risk assessment
• Evaluation
• Involuntary hospitalization
• Right to refuse treatment
• Disability compensation
• Family/Domestic consultation
• Sexual harassment
• Workplace violence

Employers

• Hospitals including prison and state facilities
• Departments of correction
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Colleges and universities
• Private practice

General Information

• Develop social perceptiveness, active listening, oral and written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills for employment in psychiatry/psychology.
• Earn exceptional grades, secure faculty recommendations, and plan for the MCAT or the GRE.
• Seek volunteer, part-time, internship, and/or research experience with professors or clinicians.
• Join related student chapters of professional organizations and stay current on research in the field.
• Forensic psychiatrists are medical doctors with a specialty in forensic training.
• Research prerequisites for medical colleges, and choose an undergraduate major that meets your interests and program requirements.
• Learn the requirements for competency in forensic psychiatry sponsored by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Forensic psychologists obtain Ph.D. degrees in psychology. They generally earn undergraduate degrees in a behavioral science such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc., then complete four to seven years of graduate study.
• Plan to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology.
• Secure licensure through your state psychology licensing board.
• Inquire about forensic psychology certification through the American Board of Professional Practice in Psychology.

Career Areas

• Teaching
• Research
• Supervision

Employers

• Colleges and universities

General Information

• Seek experience teaching or tutoring.
• Develop strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to present material well.
• Assist a professor with research and pursue related experience such as volunteer and internship opportunities.
• Take coursework related to research and statistics.
• Maintain a high GPA and secure strong recommendations from faculty.
• Network with others in your field through membership in professional associations and organizations.
• Earn a master’s degree for some post-secondary teaching positions.
• Earn a Ph.D. for professor positions, which can include research, teaching, supervision, and lab administration.