Careers in Forensics ("Criminalistics")

For excellent information about forensics and forensics-related careers, look at the I.A.I. website.

NOTE:  The below is only my opinion. Check it out yourself!

Forensics is a very broad field, ranging from fingerprint identification to DNA typing.

1. At the bottom are ordinary crime scene investigators.  They work in large police departments, where they help detectives collect physical evidence. They are not really "investigators" per se, since conducting interviews and developing leads is performed only by sworn officers.

2. "Evidence and identification" technicians are a big step up. They also collect evidence but are specially trained and educated to examine what they find, render independent judgments and testify in court. For example, that a certain latent fingerprint was deposited by a certain person. Or that a certain footwear impression matches a certain shoe.

Often evidence and i.d. technicians rise from the lower crime scene investigation ranks. Many began as interns doing "grunt work" at a police lab while going to school. These are good careers but usually pay considerably less than police work.

To qualify for a regular evidence/i.d. technician job one must have specialized training.  Forensics courses are offered at junior colleges and universities.  For example, check out Cal State L.A.´s criminal justice department.

3. The top careers in forensics are as laboratory scientists. Forensic chemists, for example, extract and type DNA.  These professions require at a minimum a 4-year degree in a biological or physical science.  Cal State Los Angeles has a Master's program in criminalistics (forensics).  Admission requires a bachelor's degree in a natural or physical science (C.J. degrees do not qualify.)

Like any lab, forensic labs also employ technicians. These are not really "criminal justice" positions. Technicians in forensic labs get their preparation through junior college programs that prepare persons for working as technicians in medical and other laboratories.

4. Criminal profiling is not a career.  Large law enforcement agencies occasionally send experienced detectives to profiling schools. As far as I know only the FBI has a full-time staff of profilers.  All are experienced FBI agents. There is no market whatsoever for civilian "profilers". Forgedabboud it!

Incidentally, T.V. accounts such as "C.S.I." typically exaggerate the importance of forensics - and the role of forensic technicians - in the big picture of solving crime.

For more information about forensics job openings check the L.A.P.D., L.A. County Sheriff and Orange County Sheriff personnel departments and websites.  For more information about forensics education talk with one of the C.J. counselors at Cal State L.A.

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