How do you get into doing a forensic science job once you have studied?

Question: How do you get into doing a forensic science job once you have studied?
- Keywords:
  forensic,
  forensic science,
  job
Asked by jennykuht123 to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 21 Mar 2011 in Categories: Forensics.
- Jamie Pringle answered on 14 Mar 2011:
  
  Hello Jennykuht123,
  
  Often it is luck, who has a relevant job available and if you apply for it at the right time. A major employer used to be the Forensic Science Service, although this major organisation funding is all up in the air at the moment with current funding cuts.
  
  Mostly graduate students would also study for a higher degree, either a Masters Degree, or a PhD like Kat and Jodie are studying for. This would make you more qualified and hopefully improve your chances of employment!
- Katherine Davies answered on 15 Mar 2011:
  
  Hi
  
  I got to where I am now (a PhD student at university) after studying (all three) science A-levels and doing an undergraduate degree in forensics. This is probably the standard route, but you can get into crime scene training after a degree (without a PhD) or just A-levels (and some police experience) I think. It depends on which aspect of forensics you want to do. A pathologist or coroner must do a medical degree first. A forensic lab scientist will most likely need a good degree. An expert witness in court (or a field specialist) will probably have a PhD.
  
  Its a hotly contested field, so the more experience and qualifications you can get, the further you will go. Its a field of work that requires constant training, research and time after A-level/degree stage.
  
  Kat
- Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 15 Mar 2011:
  
  HI Jenny
  
  I got into the job by taking up a lecturing post here at Strathclyde. But both of my parents are forensic scientist, both fire investigators in private practice in Ireland so it was always in the background for me
- Mark Hill answered on 15 Mar 2011:
  
  Hello Jenny,
  I think that this is probably answered better by Niamh, Kat, or Jodie, as my path into my role is quite different from the usual path. However, following a forensic science Bsc, perhaps with a Masters in a more focussed field, consider applying for posts with forensic science providers, or the police service. Unfortunately I think that the Forensic Science Service is due to be closed down. They are the principal forensic science provider for the police service. However, once they are gone, the police and Crown agencies will still have to go somewhere, so other, private, companies will no doubt pop up to fill the gap. Good luck and, by the sound of your question, you are considering forensic science. I hope that you succeed and get to enjoy it as much as I do.
- Jodie Dunnett answered on 21 Mar 2011:
  
  Once you have completed a good science degree then you can either apply directly to a forensic science provider or you could go on to specialise in a particular field of forensics by doing either a masters degree or a PhD.