Forensic science technician

Question: I am a big fan of the CSI shows. I think it is so interesting how they are able to solve a crime using such small pieces of evidence like a strand of hair, or figuring out the height of a shooter by the blood splatter. I know that jobs on television are often glamorized, so can you tell me more about the responsibilities in the real world? I am a junior in high school – what classes should I be taking and what kind of degree do I need?
— Ashlee

Response: People who investigate crime scenes are forensic science technicians, also called criminalists. They investigate crimes by collecting, identifying, testing, and analyzing physical evidence found at the crime scene or in photographs of the crime scene.

Job Description
The job of forensic science technician requires good analytical skills and an eye for detail. Also needed is a broad practical scientific background. The first step out of college is generally as a bench scientist.

Physical evidence analyzed can be hair, fibers, blood, seminal and body fluid stains, alcohol, drugs, paint, paper, ink, fabric, glass, botanicals or soil. Technicians may identify firearms and compare bullets, tool markings, fingerprints and footprints. Tools used may include microscopes, infrared and ultraviolet spectrometry, mass spectrometry and gas and liquid chromatography.

Forensic science technicians may specialize in areas such as DNA analysis, firearm examination, fingerprinting, handwriting or biochemistry. They prepare reports documenting findings and may provide expert witness testimony.

Education Options and Costs
While in high school, you should obtain a solid background in math and sciences including biology, chemistry and physics. In college, a baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science or criminalistics is preferred. Some forensic science technicians have degrees in other areas. Many have advanced degrees. Certification in forensic science is also available.

The following local colleges offer appropriate programs for forensic science technicians:

California State University, Los Angeles

5151 State University Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90032

(323) 343-3000

www.calstatela.edu

CSULA offers programs for baccalaureate degrees in Criminal Justice, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology. The cost for a full-time student is approximately $1,000 per quarter.

The college is home to the California Forensic Science Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public safety through the advancement of forensic science. As the academic, research, in-service training, and public education arm of the Los Angeles Regional Crime Laboratory (LARCL), they seek to bridge the gap between novel scientific technology and its application in the crime laboratory. They also seek to meet the growing demand for trained forensic experts.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)

1250 Bellflower Blvd

Long Beach, CA 90840

(562) 985-5134

CSULB offers bachelor degree programs in Biology, Chemistry and Criminal Justice. In addition, they offer a certificate program in Forensic Science and Crime Analysis. The cost per semester is $1,432 for full-time students.

University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA Undergraduate Admissions

1147 Murphy Hall, Box 951436

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1436

www.ucla.edu

(310) 825-3101

ugadm@saonet.ucla.edu

UCLA offers baccalaureate degrees in Biology, Biochemistry and Chemistry. The cost per semester for a full-time undergraduate student is approximately $2,350.

University of California, Riverside Extension

1200 University Avenue

Riverside, CA 92507

www.ucrextension.net

(800) 442-4990

(951) 827-5804

UCR extension offers a certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis. The program includes courses in advanced methods for analyzing crime incidence patterns to enhance resource use and crime prevention. They also offer a certificate in Crime Scene Investigation.

The university offers short courses as well as an intensive one- to two-week program on such topics as forensic sciences, traffic accident reconstruction and emergency management. The cost of extension classes varies, but is approximately $325 per class.

Online Job Resources

This site lists job openings in the field:
www.cacnews.org/jobs.htm.

For a listing of forensic laboratories, including many in California, visit:
www.cacnews.org/labs.htm

Professional Associations

American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

www.aafs.org

www.aafs.org/yfsf/index.htm

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is devoted to the improvement, the administration, and the achievement of justice through the application of science to the processes of law.

The organization offers opportunities for professional development and personal contacts. AAFS has an annual meeting, distributes newsletters, and provides placement services as well as scientific reference studies.

Annual membership dues are $145 and $55 for student members. The Young Forensic Scientists Forum is a group within the AAFS that is dedicated to the education, enrichment and development of emerging forensic scientists and future leaders of the field.

International Association for Identification (IAI)

www.theiai.org

Email: iaisecty@theiai.org

While no licensing or certification is required in the criminalist field, voluntary certification is available through IAI. The IAI offers training and educational seminars, and a bimonthly scientific journal.

The association provides research/educational grants and scholarships. Employment opportunities are listed on their website. Annual membership dues are $60 and $30 for students. The application fee for certification and recertification is $150.

California Association of Criminalists (CAC)

P.O. Box 190681

Sacramento, CA 95819-0681

www.cacnews.org

The California Association of Criminalists is a professional membership organization of forensic scientists founded in 1954. The members meet to exchange ideas, new testing methodologies and to share case histories. The CAC is the oldest established regional forensic science organization in America and has expanded its membership throughout the United States and Europe.

Membership benefits include subscription to a quarterly publication, discount on subscriptions to forensic science journals, registration at CAC Seminars, dinner meetings, special project grants, access to training and resource video library, a yearly salary survey of public laboratories and a membership roster. Membership dues are $70, or $25 for students.

Employment Outlook
In California, faster than average growth is projected for forensic technicians through 2012. Experts suggest that DNA identification will have as big an effect on crime investigations in this century as fingerprinting had in the last century.

In many settings you will have to go through the application and hiring procedures for state, county or city employment as most crime laboratories are run by government agencies. The hiring process can take 4-6 months and requires extensive background checks. You must have a clean criminal record - no misdemeanor or felony convections of any kind.

Salary
In the Los Angeles area, entry-level forensic science technicians earn approximately $30,000 to $42,000.
 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.