FORENSIC SCIENCE

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FORENSIC SCIENCE
By Amanda Gourlay
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WHAT IS FORENSIC SCIENCE?

• In sort it is the application of science in law.
• In the dictionary under forensic pathology it is
  defined as a branch of medicine used for legal
  purposes and the concern of determining the cause
  of death.
• If you have seen show like CSI, Law and Order,
  or any crime shows the people at the scene
  looking for and examining evidence are forensic
  scientists.

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WHAT DO THEY DO?

• What you see on television is not what forensic
  scientists actually do. On T.V. you only see
  forensic scientists at the scene or in the lab
  finding out what happened. In all actuality
  though FS are involved in the whole process. From
  the scene of the crime to the court room they are
  there.
• In court forensic scientists may be asked about
  what they found and how accurate their
  information is.
• There ultimate goal is to use all available
  information and determine the facts and in the
  end the truth.
• Forensic Science is a rewarding career where a
  persons love of science can be used for the good
  of society.

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WHAT YOU'LL NEED!

• Forensic is not all that you see on television.
  There is more to it than just finding evidence.
• To become a forensic Scientists you need
• A bachelors degree
• Good note taking and speaking skills
• Ability to write understandable reports
• Intellectual curiosity
• Integrity

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WHERE TO GO TO SCHOOL?

• Formerly Carroll College
• Located in Waukesha, Wisconsin
• Private University- tuition 21,926/per year.
  With room and board 28,620/per year.
• About three hours away
• Offers 41 majors
• Bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees.
• 16 1 student to teacher ratio
• 10 men and womens NCAA Division III sports
  (including baseball, soccer, football, tennis,
  golf, and basketball)

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WHERE TO GO TO SCHOOL PART TWO!

• University of St. Francis
• Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Private University- tuition 19,950/per year.
  With room and board 26,973/per year.
• About 2 hours away
• Associates, bachelor, and masters degrees
• 11 1 student- teacher ratio.
• 7 boys and 8 girls sports. Part of National
  Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
• Sports such as Cross Country, Tennis, soccer,
  golf, and football.

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Other Types of Forensic Science!!!

• Computer Forensics- finding evidence in
  computers and memory storage devices.
• Forensic Accounting- recover proceeds of crime
  concerning actual or assumed money.
• Forensic Dentistry- evaluate and examine dental
  evidence which is presented in criminal trials.
• Forensic Graphology- analysis handwriting to
  solve crimes or find suspects.
• Forensic Psychology- psychology applied to the
  legal system to collect examine and present
  evidence at a trial.
• Forensic Toxicology- find evidence dealing with
  what what is in a body, such as drugs.

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Salary!!!!

• Starting Forensic Scientists earn about 40,000.
  
• Some FS such as a director of a lab that has 30
  years of experience can earn up to 125,000
• Like with every job the more education and
  experience you have the more money you will earn.

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INTERVIEW

• What got you interested in Forensic Science?
• Always wanted to be a police officer since he was
  young. When he was a kid he took baby powder to a
  glass cup to find fingerprints.
• What kind of schooling did you need?
• On the job training. Took classes in forensic
  photography, blood training, and bullet path.
  Also went to Massachusetts for footwear
  impressions and to Crime Scene Indiana

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INTERVIEW CON'T

• How long have you been doing forensic science?
• Been a cop 13 years and 12 years in forensic
  science.
• Where did you go to school?
• On the job for 4-5 years. Training with police
  department.
• How much do you make? Starting salary?
• 42,000 (1st patrol) 21-22,000
• How many hours do you work a week?
• Depends on week (amount of crime). Normally 40
  hours a week. 50-60 with one crime scene. After 3
  homicides 80 hours.

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INTERVIEW CON'T

• Do you enjoy your job?
• Love the job, but you see the bad parts of
  society. You have to get past all that and be
  their for the victims and solve the crime.

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CSI EFFECT
Show such as forensic files, Law and Order, and
the CSI franchise though popular and entertaining
have cause what has become known as the CSI
effect What people see on the shows they
believe is what actually happens. This becomes a
problem in court cases when jury members dont
understand why not all the evidence is being
subject to forensic analysis. Although not all
evidence has to be examined.
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CSI EFFECT CON'T

• Writing for USA today Richard Willing outlined a
  number of examples that highlighted the CSI
  effect in action. These included
• A murder trial where jurors alerted the judge
  that a bloody coat introduced as evidence had not
  been tested for DNA. In fact, the tests were not
  needed because the defendant acknowledged being
  at the murder scene. The judge stated that TV had
  taught jurors about DNA tests, but not enough
  about when to use them.
• A murder trial where jurors asked the judge if a
  cigarette butt found during the crime scene
  investigation could be tested to see if it could
  be linked to the defendant. The defense team had
  ordered the tests but hadn't introduced them into
  evidence. Upon doing so, the tests exonerated the
  defendant, and he was acquitted.
• The fact that prosecutors are now being allowed
  to question potential jurors about their
  TV-watching habits.

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Citations
http//aafs.org/default.asp?section_idresourcesp
age_idchoosing_a_careerBookmark1
http//www.cc.edu/ http//www.exploreforensics.
co.uk/TypesofForensicsCategory.html
http//www.sf.edu/ http//blogs.payscale.com/sal
arystories/2007/01/forensic_scient.html