forensic careers for test 8/25

forensic scientist

identify and/or compare physical evidence through chemical, physical, and instrumental analysis

• analyze , unearth factual information, regardless which side the evidence supports

• interpret - evaluate findings, arriving at opinions and conclusions

• report - testify accurately and truthfully

criminologists

study criminal and behaviroal psychology to aid in criminal investigations

crime scene investigators

collect and preserve physical evidence from crime scenes

may work with police officers, medics, medical examiners, photographer or field evidence technician, and lab experts

coroners

typically transport corpses from the crime scene to the morgue; some aid in the death investigations

elected, no professional training

medical examiners

perform autopsies to identify the causes and manners of death

appointed board certification in a medical specialty

FBI

maintains the largest crime laboratory in the world

the DEA (drug enforcement administration) laboratories

responsible for the analysis of drugs seized in violation of federal laws regulating the production, sale, and transportation of drugs

the u.s. postal inspection service

maintains laboratories concerned with criminal investigations relating to the postal service

forensic pathologist

a specialist who determines the cause and manner of death of the deceased

• assist law enforcement agencies with unexpected, sudden, or violent deaths

• perform autopsies

• issue death certifications

forensic anthropologist

examine skeletal, decomposed, or charred remains in unexplained deaths to identify the victim

perform facial reconstruction to recreate a person’s face

help search areas for remains and recover them

help identify victims in mass disasters

forensic psychiatrist

focuses on the interface of law and mental health

assess and treat mentally disordered offenders

work with criminal justice agencies to support patients and protect the public

work in secure hospitals and prisons during treatments and evaluations

forensic psychologist

study of mental processes and behavior sa it pertains to civil and criminal matters

analyze psychological responses

asses competency and assist in treatment

give testimony regarding the defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense

evaluate the client’s risk of violence or recidivism

forensic hypnotist

forensic hypnosis uses to recover memories or specific details of events

forensic odonatologist (dentist)

identify victims by looking at their teeth alignment, and overall structure of the mouth of victims found in an unrecognizable state

forensic serologist

the study of blood, semen, saliva, and other body fluids, to legal maters

blood spatter analyst

investigates crime scenes and reconstructs crimes based on how bloodstains have formed on various surfaces in order to figure out exactly how a crime was committed

forensic toxicologist

analyses alcohol, drugs, and poisons in body fluids for the benefit of the courts

forensic entomologist

forensic entomology is the study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation

forensic botanist

analyze plant material to determine where and when a crime was commited and who commited the crime

forensic palynologist

forensic palynology relates to the application of the study of pollen and spores to legal matters

forensic geologist

forensic geology is the study of evidence relating to minerals, oil, petroleum, and other materials found in or incorporated into the earth that can be used to answer questions raised by the criminal or civic legal systems

wildlife forensic scientist

forensic scientists who track down criminals who harm wild animals

document analyst

examine and analyze documents for authenticity, authorship, alteration, handwriting, and forgery

forensic firearms & toolmark examiner

collect, photograph, and analzye evidence in the form of tools, ballistics, and impressions

trace evidence analyst

perform analyses on trace evidence that may occur as a result of physical contact between a suspect and victim during a violent crime

• identify and compare materials such as fibers, hair, fabric, paint glass, etc

fingerprint analyst

preserve, study, and evaluate fingerprints as part of a crime scene investigation

• lift fingerprints, footprints, and palm prints from a crime scene

  • load evidence into a state or national databases for use of comparison and possible identification

dna specialist

responsible for obtaining biological information within the scope of a criminal investigation to help law enforcement identify a victim or a perpetrator

forensic lab technician

perform biological, chemical, hematological, serological, or physical analyses on a variety of samples obtained at a crime scenes under the direction of forensic scientists

• operate, adjust, maintain, schedule, and oversee the maintenance of scientific instruments

forensic nurse

provides treatment for crime victims

forensic social worker

provide their clients with emotional support, guidance navigating court/legal systems, connections to resources, housing application assistance, and individual and policy advocacy

forensic photographer

produces a permanent visual record of accidents and crime scenes for use as evidence in court, and for measurement and analysis

forensic artist

sketches to scale crime scenes, recreate crime scenes, sketches criminals and victims

forensic engineer

investigates and reports on accidents or structural failures that may have criminal implications

forensic computer analyst

collect, analyze, and report on information found on digital artifacts that are recovered in a way that is legally admissible

arson and fire investigator

part detective, part scientist. after fires are reported and suppressed, this individual investigates determine the cause of the fire, and if appropriate, whether criminal activity was involved

homicide detective

responsible for investigating murders and apprehending the individuals responsible

polygraph expert

polygraph examiners are licensed and trained to conduct and give lie detector test to witnesses, suspects, and other individuals involved in criminal trials