Forensic Science

Forensic science personnel investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Often, they specialize in areas such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, performing tests on weapons or on substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids to determine their significance to the investigation. Forensic science personnel also prepare reports to document their findings and the laboratory techniques used, and they may provide information and expert opinion to investigators.

Most forensic scientists work in crime labs run by city, county, or state governments. The next largest group works for Federal agencies including the Department of Justice (FBI and Secret Service), Treasury (DEA and BATF), Postal Inspection Service, and Health and Human Services. A smaller number work in private labs and colleges and universities.

Education and Training
Beginning forensic scientists usually have atleast a bachelor's degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, or physcial anthropology. Students don't need to specialize at the undergraduate level. In fact, broad training allows bachelor's degree holders more flexibility for job hunting or changing jobs. Students who pursue study beyond a bachelor's degree often specialize in a subfield of forensic science, such as firearms examination, depending on their interests. A Ph.D. is usually preferred for advancement to many administrative positions such as a lab director.

Career Outlook and Salary Potential
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies "Forensic science technicians" as one of the fastest growing occupations in 2004, with numbers nationwide expected to jump from 9,800 in 2004 to 13,400 in 2014. In May 2006 the BLS reported the mean annual wage was $48,130 (annual wages at the 10 percentile were $27,530 and the 90 percentile were $73,100). Experienced crime lab professionals earned about $40,000 to $85,000, and some lab directors earned as much as $100,000.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) / Forensic Science
AIU Online's BSCJ degree with a concentration in Forensic Science is designed to help meet the need for career-focused professionals with the knowledge and skills to pursue exciting opportunities in this growing area of the criminal justice industry. The program features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with real-world experience in the criminal justice industry.

• Clear explanations of the techniques, abilities, and limitations within the field of forensic sicence and its applications to criminal investigations
• Forensic science techniques of criminal investigations, how to process a crime scene and notify next of kin
• Appropriate techniques to safeguard evidence and interact with investigative authorities

AIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Master of Forensic Science
The Masters Degree of Forensic Sciences (MFS) is a specialized professional degree designed for law enforcement, lab personnel, attorneys, investigators and other professionals seeking to upgrade their existing skills, as well as individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the forensic sciences, law, law enforcement, private or governmental laboratories, jails and corrections and Medical Examiner's Office.

To receive an MFS, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate course work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree.

National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Criminal Justice / Crime Scene Investigation - BS
In the Crime Scene Investigation program, students learn techniques of locating, collecting, and analyzing crime scene evidence used in courts of law. Students will also identify boundaries of a crime scene and understand the principles of searching the crime scene for specific types of evidence, identifiable forensic material, and other items of evidentiary value. Graduates may qualify for a crime investigation position in a law enforcement organization.

Crime Scene Technician Certificate
The Crime Scene Technician Certificate, offered through Kaplan's School of Criminal Justice, is designed for law enforcement professionals and private citizens who wish to begin a fascinating career in crime scene investigation. The Crime Scene Technician Certificate program consists of 44 quarter credit hours, which can be completed in as little as one year.

Required courses for the CST Certificate include:

• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Evidence
• Crime Scene Investigation : Photography and Fingerprinting
• Criminalistics

Criminal Justice / Crime Analysis - BS
Students learn about the practices and tools used to analyze and measure crime and explore the processes of psychological profiling, crime mapping, and intelligence gathering. This emphasis area focuses on the skills and techniques essential to crime analysis. Graduates may qualify for a crime analyst position in a law enforcement organization.

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Criminal Investigations - Associate of Applied Science
The Online Criminal Investigations program provides students with the fundamentals of crime scene investigation science and theory. The online criminal investigations program provides students with personal and professional development skills for successful employment within the criminal investigations field.

• Fingerprints Classification & Latents
• Crime Scene Photography
• Biological Evidence
• Crime Scene Dynamics
• Technology Crimes
• Criminalistics

Everest College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.