Forensic scientists play an important role in many criminal investigations. They comb through the crime scenes and collect data and samples for analysis to help law enforcement officials. Without their detailed and thorough efforts, it would become much harder to catch the culprit. The field requires a lot of training in analytic techniques and a vast knowledge of biology and chemistry. For those passionate about the field, a bachelor of forensic science degree is the perfect way to get the right training needed to start a career in this field.
What is A Bachelor of Forensic Science Degree?
This four year undergraduate degree program is offered by many colleges and universities. The degree is aimed at building a foundation within forensic sciences, and allowing students the stepping stone into the professional industry. In addition to teaching students how to conduct an investigation of a crime scene, the program also takes them through an intensive curriculum in areas such as biology, chemistry, toxicology, and mathematics. Through this acquired knowledge, students are able to process information and derive meaningful conclusions from their analysis. They learn how to identify poisonous substances, identify the use of a weapon, and use their understanding of biology to use DNA to catch criminals or identify victims.
Some general aims of the degree program are to:
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Teach students the correct practices of analyzing crime scenes and handling physical and chemical evidence
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Familiarize them with analytic techniques and instruments, and how to interpret the data for results
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Increase their knowledge in biology and chemistry to facilitate their analysis process
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Enable them to handle all documentation and other processes according to protocols
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Students with a forensic science bachelor's degree are detail-oriented and comfortable working with abstract or jumbled information. They are passionate about the sciences, and are effective problem solvers. While the idea of working in the forensic field may seem appealing based on its portrayal on TV shows, this is not an easy degree to earn. Coursework involves a combination of laboratory work and classroom lectures, and students are required to memorize and quickly recall large tracts of information. Crime scenes may be very gruesome places to work in, so you must possess a strong stomach and be prepared for any situation.
Career Options
With a bachelor's degree in forensic science, students have two options. They could pursue their education further, and specialize in a particular area of forensic sciences, like ballistics, for instance. They could also work with law enforcement agencies or private investigation firms as a forensic investigator. With this option they would work in the field and gather evidence at the crime scene, and work in labs to analyze the data. In each case, the degree is equally helpful on account of the training it provides. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported the median income for Forensic Science Technicians in 2012 as $52,840, but with a slow growth rate. Nonetheless, it is an appealing field for those who want to combine science with crime fighting.