Forensic Biology

Depends on what aspects of forensic science interests you.

If getting into DNA, then you need Biology.

If getting into Drug Chemistry, then you need Chemistry.

I would also suggest taking some class on public speaking... many people think about the lab side of forensic science and forget that every case analyzed has the potential to go to court. If you can't accurately and confidently discuss your analysis and conclusions, you cannot be an effective expert witness.

Forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic psychiatry, forensic odontology, forensic engineering and so on.

All my colleagues are 'people persons', you have to have an interest in the job and also a desire to help people, as the role can be very hard - particularly when young people or old people are involed.

Forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic psychiatry, forensic odontology, forensic engineering and so on.

I try to learn as much as I can from those around me and in literature and media. I take peoples criticism seriously and thoughtfully without compromising my identity or self esteem.

Discovering the areas in which I need to focus more of my time because my knowledge is not currently up to date.

I got into the forensic field by accident.

I was working in the toxicology lab at the medical school in Portland, and the state police crime lab was upstairs. They’d come down and ask for assistance with blood alcohol or toxicity, so I got to know them.

When they got a grant to expand the lab, I decided I’d just as soon not be a medical tech the rest of my life. After that it was on-the-job training. I went to the FBI academy for training in hairs and fibers, instrumental analysis for paint chips—all that trace evidence.

You need to understand scientific principles. You need to know how to conduct an experiment, generate a theory, and then see if you can make it fail. In DNA, you have to know enough biology to understand genetics. In firearms testing, you need know physics, math, how things ricochet and how trajectories can be figured out.

You’ve got to understand the instrument you’re using, how a mass spectrometer works, what it’s doing, what it’s telling you; how you might get a false positive or false negative reading. You have to take notes, write reports, and be articulate enough to explain complicated science to a jury.

Biology (serology and DNA)

I would define success for someone in my chosen career as a person who has managed to be in the field and grow as a professional learning many things that would bring his/her experiences into a new level.

Many forensic scientists work in crime laboratories. For example, a forensic biologist usually specializes in DNA analysis or continues to medical school to pursue a career as a medical examiner, a forensic chemist analyzes non-biological trace evidence found at crime scenes in order to identify unknown materials and match samples to known substances. A forensic geologist applies soil analysis to crime investigations, and forensic physicist works with trajectories.

Before I delegate the work, I take a step back and see what I can do on my own first without overwhelming myself or trading quality for time when I know I can not dedicate the appropriate effort to a task. Once I figure out what I will do and what I must delegate, I do it in such a way that the person I am delegating the work to has the qualifications and strengths to complete the work up to a higher standard. I also tend to look over delegated work once it is completed to ensure that we both agree the work is top quality.

I have loved forensic science since I was in 7th grade. I have always enjoyed science and wanted to help people. problem solving is something that has always been a big part of my life. with the studies over the past 5 years, I know that this is the field I want to be in an I am ready to make a contribution to the world of forensic science.

An individual who applies science to answer questions related to matters of the law.

B.S. in Biochemistry (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA)

M.S. in Forensic Science (University of New Haven, CT)

In 16 years of work at the MDSP-FSD I have testified over 50 times.

I enjoy being a part of a process that can help others and also has the capability of helping the future of mankind whether it be the process of protecting citizens from further crime or developing new testing or treatments for patients.

Lab work.

If you can intern at a forensic lab, that is best. If you can't, then any amount of actual lab work is beneficial. Nobody wants to hire a person and then have to teach them the absolute basics of how to conduct themselves in a lab. You should be able to utilize a pipettor and know safe lab practices.

To be able to adjust with advanced tools and technologies is very important in my opinion. I hope and I will try my best to cope with advancement in order to do my duty.

Of course in the lab as well as being a mom, a soldier, a student and employee at the same time. As a generalist in the lab it is common to be doing multiple timed testing while bein interrupted on the phone and in person by other staff.