Forensic Nurses Career Information

If you find yourself watching CSI with more passion than your family—fantasizing about yourself being there at the scene, listen up:  There's a growing career field for those who  have natural talent with inductive reasoning and an interest in both criminology and science. We're talking, of course, about the thrilling career of forensic science technician, or criminologists Forensic science technicians are  considered one of the next decades fast-growing career fields. In fact, some sources say the field is expected to grow about 31% in new hires over the next 10 years. What’s more, pay is higher now than in recent times, ranging from 40k to 80k a year in annual salaries.  To see if it's for you, let's consider the criminologist's typical day. See our Blog Post - Want to be a real-life CSI Technician?

As a forensic science technician, you can expect to go in early everyday, and work late many.  During your day, you will be testing, analyzing and examining tissue samples, physical materials, chemical substances and ballistics evidence. These tasks you'll accomplish using measuring, recording and testing equipment.  You will be expected to interpret test results and lab findings in order to assist with identifying and classifying substances and evidence collected at a crime scene.  If you work at the crime scene itself, you will actually collect and preserve evidence to assist the place with solving cases.  You'll be asked to confer with fingerprinting, ballistics, handwriting, electronics, document, chemical, medical and metallurgical experts about the evidence that has been recovered to reach conclusions together.  In many cases, you'll be asked to reconstruct the crime scene to help determine how various pieces of evidence relate to one another.  And of course, there's the paperwork:  Almost everyday will involve preparation of reports or presentations of investigative methods, findings or lab techniques.  And finally, on a few occasions, the state will ask you to serve as an expert witness during a trial, as they ask questions about evidence and lab techniques.

There are a few different job environments for those interested in this field.  Some forensic science technicians will be crime-scene investigators, working side-by-side with the police.  Others will work almost exclusively in the lab, conducting the tests that will provide such valuable information to the police.  There are also chemical technicians, those who specialize in analyzing chemicals and substances.  There are forensic technicians who serve both local law enforcement as well as federal agencies (such as the FBI). Another specialty is Forensic Nursing. Forensic Nursing Certification

Let's talk about the education you'll need to pursue one of these career paths.  As a bare minimum, most forensic science technicians will need either an associates degree or certificate in a science-related field such as applied science or a technology field.  This is a minimum, but being realistic, the person who has a bachelor's degree will almost always get the job.  There are also a few master's  degree programs in the field.

There are currently about 30 universities and smaller colleges which offer bachelors degrees programs in forensic science.  About 25 others offer a 4-year degree in natural science, but with a forensic science or criminology emphasis.  In addition there are schools which offer a bachelor's degree, but with emphases in areas that might be helpful to technicians wanting to specialize in certain areas: fields such as pathology, investigation, jurisprudence, odontology, forensic accounting, and toxicology.

If you're still in high school, you can still begin your preparation now for your career in forensic science.  Try to take as many math and science courses as you can, and if possible, courses in chemistry and physics.  Also, work on your communications skills, since as a technician, you'll be expected to report your findings in both written and spoken form.  Also, most forensic science technicians have strong computer skills, so bone up in this area too.
At present, there are about 13,000 forensic science technicians in the United States, almost all working for government agencies.  This number is expected to grow steadily between now and 2016—as much as 12 percent during that period.  This growth is largely attributable to the continued growth of medical and scientific research and knowledge.  Biotechnology will especially drive this career field's growth.

Forensic Nursing Certification