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FORENSIC SCIENTIST: A Unique But Challenging Profession Forensic Scientist assist in the investigation of crimes by examining physical evidence, and applying the results of these scientific examinations to the courts of law. The results of examinations can determine what happened at the scene of a crime and who was there. This can help investigators with their work. The evidence can then appear later in court. Forensic science can be used to identify and incriminate suspects, by studying fingerprints, blood types, or DNA profiles for example. It is rare for a court case to hang off one single piece of evidence, although it is not uncommon for the majority of the case to rely on many pieces of forensic evidence that together are conclusive. There are different types of evidence. Some is circumstantial and some is conclusive. Forensics is a highly specialized career and there are only a few employment opportunities in the occupation. The main employers of forensic scientists are State and Commonwealth Government health departments, and State and Federal police forces. Most forensic scientists have had extensive experience specializing in a particular scientific field such as microbiology, chemistry or physics, before moving into the forensic area. To become a forensic scientist usually requires the completion of a degree specializing in forensic science. You may also consider a range of other degrees in Parker 2 relevant areas of specialization, which may provide entry into various areas of forensic science. Relevant areas include areas include biology, botany, chemistry, physics, dentistry, or medicine The work of a forensic scientist falls into three broad groups: field (collecting the evidence), laboratory and medical (analyzing the evidence). There are many specialist fields with in forensic science, such as fingerprint examination, examination of shoe and tire impressions, vehicle examination, ballistics, and blood splatter analysis. Each specialist field in forensic science is based on common types of evidence often found at crime scenes.
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