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Asked by charlotte12 to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 15 Mar 2011 in Categories: Forensics. This question was also asked by claireee8, joshpennington, emilyh, jonny543, troyboy2.
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Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 11 Mar 2011:
The best thing you can do is get a good undergraduate degree in a natural science subject (so chemistry, physics, biology or similar). Then you have a really good grounding in the basic understanding of science which is what most employers are looking for. Many people go on to do a Masters degree in Forensic Science but there are a lot of courses out there and you need to read up about them to choose the one that suits you best. Most forensic scientists receive a lot of training once they get a job.
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Katherine Davies answered on 11 Mar 2011:
Hi Charlotte
To become brilliant, I would recommend good science A-levels, a science degree (3 years) and then a Masters/PhD (further 3 years at university). This will allow you to get to the top.
It is definitely possible to get into the field with a degree (no PhD), and possibly with just good A-levels. Lots of training after formal qualifications is also required. If you can get voluntary experience with the police, this helps a lot, but it is not easy to get.
You need to be very determined, but its an exciting career and well worth the hard work.
Kat
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Mark Hill answered on 11 Mar 2011:
Hello Charlotte,
To be a collision investigator you really need a keen interest in physics and applied maths. That sounds daunting, but really isn’t. Once pure maths equations have their elements changed to represent factors like velocity, mass, time, co-efficient of friction, momentum, delta ‘v’ (change in velocity), then it all makes sense.
Police collision investigators need to pass a City & Guilds level 3 qualification exam only. Bolt -on courses in forensic tyre examination, bulb examination, vehicle examination, electronic surveying for scale plans, handling and dynamics (driving) courses are all very useful, almost essential, in order to be able to express expert opinion in the court system.
My interest has taken me through a masters degree (unfortunately self-funded) and I am now about to commence a PhD in driver psychology. These last two aren’t essential, but do give a much greater insight into ‘human factors’, or why people drive and collide as they do – it is the study of the ‘loose nut behind the wheel’.
My work is constantly presenting me with problems that I want to know more about. That is why I study the way that I do. It is a journey, not a destination. I will never know enough about my subject, but I must keep trying to find out more.
Thank you, Charlotte.
Mark.
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Jamie Pringle answered on 11 Mar 2011:
It depends what area you go into. I cant comment on the other forensic scientists in my zone who have widely different specialist areas, but personally speaking in a geoscience field, you need at least a science degree (which normally needs Science ‘A’ Levels). In academic research (which is what I do), you then normally do a higher degree called a Ph.D which you dedicate a few years to studying a particular topic. After that you can do research, or become a lecturer like myself, but there are loads of different ways of doing forensics, like through the Police for example. I hope that was helpful!
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Jodie Dunnett answered on 15 Mar 2011:
Most companies employing forensic scientists look for a degree in a relevant discipline such as chemistry, biology or more recently forensic science. Not all forensic science degrees are the same though so it depends how much analytical work has been covered as part of the degree.
Comments
charlotte12 commented on :
Thank you