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ForensicScienceandCriminology

KelsieBeasley

English
III
MrsKopp
February26,2014

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KelsieBeasley
EnglishIIIHonors
Kopp
26,February2015
ForensicScienceandCriminology
After majorhistoricaladvancementsintechnologyovertime,forensicsciencestrivesasa
continuously growing career field and shows major technological advancements. After the
creation of many popular television shows, the job field of criminal justice has grown
tremendously over time. The increasing rate of homicide validates forensic science as a career
choice, and includes many traits and skills. As a career in forensics offers many opportunities
for different jobs in criminal justice, it also remains highly competitive in nature and intrigues
many.
The study of forensics continues to develop over hundreds of years and plays vital roles
in modern day society to help fight crime (Monkeyshines on Health and Science 4). The first
recorded evidence of forensic science starts in 1248, ancient China,inabookHsiDuanYuor
The Washing Away Of Wrongs, the book writes about the difference between drowning and
strangulation found on a victim by using broken cartilage in the neck and water in the lung.
Written by a medical examiner, Song Ci this book inspired the use of medical technology to
solve a crime (Science NonFiction 7). Song Ci also taught many students on theuseofbugs
on a crime scene, using them to tell how long ago the victim died or placed at the scene of the
crime. The first known autopsy took place in Rome and occurred in 44 B.C. after the death of
Julius Caesar. After Caesar died of 23 stab wounds, a doctor named Antistius determined only

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one of the stab wounds killed Caesar. Autopsies deemed unpopular inmanycitiesforcenturies
for the belief of keeping the dead intact for spiritual reasons (Yeatts 124). Later, Alphonse
Bertillon famously regarded the father of criminal identification stated that every human
differs from another human, creating a new way to identify victims (Yeatts 129). After
advancements in countries like China and Italy, England first documented pairing twopiecesof
evidence together to help solve a crime (Mark & Trace Analysis 10). Other fascinating
advancements in the history of forensic science came around in the 1800s and 1900s when
many chemists, biologists, and doctors used things like bullets,fireanddetectiveforcestosolve
crimes. Early in 1932 America establishes the first FBI crime lab, and later used the detective
force used today. Later in the the 30s Walter Specht developed the chemical Luminol which
helps show chemical traces of blood on clothing fabrics (DNA Analysis 94). In ancient periods
of time, often in trials many accusations without any evidence would stand in the court of law
and the person accused often exiled or executed. Not until the 1970s did scientists use things
like DNA and computer science for substantial evidence, whichnowcriminalinvestigationsuse
mostlycomputerstohelpidentifymanythingsincludingDNA.
Many new technological advancements continue to help solve crimes everyday, things
like different UV lights and advancements on cameras to help solve crimes. By far the most
important, the use of computer science. The way scientist solve crime now relies on computer
work to tell bloodpatternsandDNAtests. Theuseofthecomputerhasdrasticallychangedover
timeandevolvedintoafarbetterandmorereliablepieceofinformation.Thedevelopmentofthe
camera for photographs as a new way of identification, chemistry, the use of the microscopes
and new medical advancements have also tremendously helped the creation of criminal justice

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field (Yeatts). This career not becoming relevant intheUnitedStates until theestablishmentof
its own crime lab in 1932, creating one of the most used forces intheworld. TheUnitedStates
quickly adapted to the new use of forensic science, and has helpedmillions. In 2012, anannual
crime report announced that crime increased 1.2 percent and deemed the United States to have
the most incarcerated number of prisoners in the world, validating the obvious need for the
careerinAmerica(Mueller).
Forensics stems from theLatinrootforensismeaningpublicforum,andreferstothe
court of the law (Yeatts). Forensic science uses science and technology in the lab and analyze
evidence from crime scenes to help solve crimes. Forensic scientist, often called forensic
technician/tech, or criminalists, examine and analyze evidence that police and other officials
collect from the scene of the crime.
In addition, the ability to recognize different objects at the
crime scene. Investigators must carefully assess different places of the crime scene, keeping in
mind the full extend of the scene. Rarely do crimescenesbeginwherethethesuspectplacesthe
body, meaning detectives and forensics must keep in mind the original place of the crime. Any
object that can logically connect the victim to the suspect proves evident at any crime scene.
Officers must collect other evidence found at the crime scene like foot prints or residue from a
gun immediately, this runs the risk of destroying the evidence by carelessness of the forensic
team.Oftencriminalistsworkaroundtheclockandstudyallevidencefoundforhoursaday.
Forensic Scientist, Neal Hisam of the Fort Collins police department in Coloradoquipes
A typical day really is the best part of the job no two days are ever the same (Hisam).
Forensic scientistsmostlyoperatewithintwofields:timespent atthecrimesceneandtimeinthe
lab analyzing evidence found at the crime scene. Forensic teams collect and label the found

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evidence in many forms such as hair fibers, DNA, fingerprints, broken glass, clothingfibersetc
(Science...NonFiction).
After collection of all evidence and thorough examination of the
crime scene, forensic scientists often have one major additional job: to present and testify that
evidence in a criminal court of law, deemed expert testimony. Other more specific jobs like an
independent expert who often get pain a large amount of money to analyze the evidence and
appear in court, often presenting an alternative view of the evidence than that which other
witnesses provided.
Mostly people in forensics work 8 to 5 regular weekdays, but many act on
call all day and all night. A person can expect to work an average of 40 to 60 hoursaweekbut
many workovertime.Whileworkingintheofficemaytakelesstime,homicidetrialsinthecourt
of law take weeks, months, and maybe years. The forensic scientist only testifies when the
evidence pertains to them, and their findings. They must fully explain what the evidencemeans
and how it helpsinfindingthesuspectinthecase.In thecourtoflaw,forensicteamsmustspeak
directly to the jury, giving them a broad understanding of DNA evidence. Withthediversityof
workforensicsdo,manypeoplecanexpectawiderangeofsalaries.
Many forensic scientists salaries can vary based on where they work geographically,
whatdepartmenttheywork for,andhowmanyhoursofovertimetheyusuallywork.Theaverage
forensic scientist can expect to earn around 35,000 to 60,000 a year (Hisam). As forensic
scientists advance in their career and continue to work overtime they can expect 90,000 to
100,000 a year, long term potential arises for increased earnings in this career (Hisam). Other
careers in criminal justice like police work, can range between 57,770 and 77,860 (Williams).
Other more advanced careers in the field like attorneys and judges earn over 100,000. Many

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predict forensic science increasing nineteen percent by 2020, and other jobs like lawyers and
officialjudgesonlyincreasingbytwopercent(Williams).
Many jobs arise in the criminal justice field, ranging from medical examiner, who
perform numerous autopsies to prove cause of death or more specific careers like forensic
taphonomist who study the decomposition ofbodiesafter death(Science...NonFiction6).Many
careers specify in different markings identified on the body or the mental aspect of crime. For
instance a career like forensic psychiatrist who study the mental illness and disorders of the
murderer and can testify for or against the victim in the crime. Another example references
forensic entomologist which study the insects that feed on the dead body by examining the
insects thoroughly, scientists can use technology and time lines to discover the day and even
hour that the body was murdered and placed at the scene of the crime. A different path people
may want to study is forensic pathology who determine the cause of death meaning homicide,
suicide, accident, natural or things like undetermined deaths (Torpey 1419). They also spend
ample amounts of time studying the weapon used. In addition tofindingcauseofdeaththeyuse
a term calledalgormortiswhichstudiesthebodiesdropintemperatureordecaytoanalyzethe
time of death. Many of the jobs that involve specific roles on the crime sceneusuallygetcalled
especially when a case needs their expertise. They mostly need medicaldegreesandcompletion
in a residency program and signed certification by a board. Most all of these careers include a
yearly aptitude testthattakesmonthsofstudying.Allofthe careersatleastneedabackgroundin
a basic science class. A blood spatter analyst also proves as a fascinating career, the career
mostly depicted onShowtime'sDexter, thisjobentailsascientisttostudybloodpatternsfound
at a crime scene including where the blood comes from, the way it spills,andtostudyevidence

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foundinthebloodlikediseasesor drugs.Although needed,allofthesejobstakesampleamounts

oftimetostudyandexcelin.
Typically a person wanting to invest in a job inthecriminaljusticefield,needstoobtain
a minimum of a bachelors degree in criminal justice at a four year university. Colleges like
University of Georgia, and Penn State offer outstanding law enforcement and criminal justice
degrees, with the priciest colleges offering the best degrees in criminal justice. While colleges
like Georgia typically cost around 40,000 a year,includingroomandboard(TuitionandCostof
Attending) Less expensive schools like University of Michigan and Rutgers hold prestigious
records for criminal justice. Michigans criminal justice program strives as the nations oldest
continuous degreeprogram,whileRutgerscriminaljusticePhDprogramranked7thinthenation
as of2009. Oftenapersonlookingintoworkingwithforensicsciencemustalsotakeclasseslike
biology and chemistry or take high level math classes. This general background in science
provides a good basis of information, but provide a more general outlook than a biology or
chemistry major (DNA Analysis 95). Students who show great knowledge of chemistry and
biology also may want to study the job of a forensicchemist,whomainlystudyalltheevidence
at the crime scene using things like microscopes to study blood pattern and different types of
lighting to show whether or not the victim struggled before time of death or not. Also an
important component for any criminal justice degree includes a english or debate, which
improveswritingskillsnecessaryforwritingdetailedreportsandargumentativeskillsrequiredto
defend ones findingswhileonthestand incourt.Aninternshipoftenhelpsstudentslearntheins
and outs of the career field. Often a student can find an internship at a local or federal
government department. Most interns leave their internship having a better understanding of

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what a job in criminal justice really entails as they receive an experiential education (DNA
Analysis95).Aftercollegeonecantypicallyassumetoobtainajobanywhereallovertheworld.
A criminal justice degree can get people a job at numerous amounts ofveryadverseand
different places. A person with this degree can obtain jobs like bailiffs at a prison or jail,patrol
officer, homicide detective, even court judges. Many positive opportunities arise in this career
field, every forensic tech has an equal chance to advance in their career field and spend more
time in a specified area of a career. Since demand for the criminal justice field have recently
proved high, jobs in popular locations and more difficult to obtain. While many require a
bachelors degree in criminal justice, many justice departments and labs now expect a masters
degree or higher. Many in the criminal justice field also require a graduate degree and medical
school for jobs like forensic pathology, which entails performing autopsies and analyzing body
tissue and organs (Rowh 29). Many city and state governments employ criminalists, or federal
bureaus like the FBI and CIA. Working in forensics includes many background checks and
annual proficiency tests in the discipline, and often involves a monthly drug test. Working a
government jobs can take ample amounts of time and have many harsh rules and guidelines to
follow daily, but also proves very rewarding. The job does not include much traveling but
includes many medical and retirement benefits. Since the job meets needs all over the world,
criminal justice remains as a globally recognized careerchoice.Onthejob,acriminalistneedsa
wide knowledge of the police practice (Thomson 6061). Although criminalists tend to work
behind the scenes, they mostly do not get the recognition that detectives or police officers
receives.

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Not until recently did criminal justice become one of the most seeked jobs in America,
many people contributetheincreaseinthecareerto thepopularityoftvshowslike
CSI
,
Lawand
Order and
Dexter
. These shows made the top 20 shows watched in America in 2006 and the
shows continue to grow bypopularityeveryyear(Houck86).Theseshowstellstoriesofvarious
different cases including murder, rape, and theft and depict the image of forensics and police
working together to help solve crimes. In other shows like Dexter, portraying the main
protagonist (Dexter), as a blood spatter analyst who works at the Miami police department and
commits hundreds of murdersthroughouttheshow. Manycriminalistsdiscusstheinfluencethat
these shows have on society, discussing what the television portrays andwhatapersonworking
in forensics actually does most of the day. Shows like these tend to glorify different aspects of
the job, the television shows mostly glorify having ample amounts of time to complete a case
taking weeks or months, in reality a forensic scientistcanexpectnumerousassignmentsatonce,
each forensic scientist expected to work on each for an equal amount of time. A professor at
University ofMarylandstatesthatabout40percentoftheforensicsciencedepictedontheshows
like CSI, do not exist (Houck 84).Inthiscareerfielditseemsthattelevisionmakesthejobseem
much more exhilarating than in reality, some cases require a great deal of mundanework.Most
television shows do not portray the everyday activities such as court hearings and waiting for a
number of tests toreachthelab.Televisionshowsalsofalselyrepresentstheworkthataforensic
team does, sometimes depicting forensic scientists as a jack of all trades, when in reality
forensic technicians have a specialized jobs inapredetermined careers(DNAAnalysis8).Often
in crime scene shows many officers and technicians working on the job create conclusions
without evidence andautomaticallyassumethesuspect.Bytheendoftheepisodetheconclusion

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that forensics made usually proves correct, unlike reality.

Movies and television shows, do not
show the difficult and time consuming amount of work needed. Often at a crime scene no one
should assume as to what happened based on what little information they gathered. Instead of
making conclusions, often numerous detectives and crime scene investigators generate several
theories and different outcomes of the crime. After, many discuss all reasonable and legitimate
conclusions.
This job requires many traits and skills to succeed, including general intelligence and
analytical thinking skills. Forensics use
numerous techniques of analytical thinking methods in
forensic laboratories to analyze and examine found evidence from a crime scene. All methods
vary, depending on what investigators find.
Forensics also means complete honesty, as all
forensic techsmustreporttheirinformationdirectlytocourtunderoath. Jobsinthisfieldtendto
require hours of time solely dedicated on solving one crime, so forensic scientists can find this
job very stressful, challenging and even frustrating at times. Forensic techniciansmustperform
well under pressure and consistently dedicate time well beyond normal working hours, to work
on a single case (Rowh 29). This job proves to have manydifferentaspectsofcritical thinking,
and also must remain organized and have great communication skills. No twocrimescenesare
alike which brings new ways to solve and use diverse ways of analyzing and examining.
Different crime scenes use different ways of analytical thinking. Another key to success liesin
job experience as those who have worked in forensic jobs at government agencies haveworked
there for longer periods of time and gained exceptional knowledgeofthejob. Manyworkingin
thefieldstudiedforhundredsofhoursinclassesandtrainingprogramsandthereforelearnedthat

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consistent dedication to learning new techniques leads to a career with both success and
longevity.
Although people often overlook the psychological effects of the job, the job challenges
many, even the most experienced. Some crimes often take emotional and spiritual tolls on
criminalist. Crimes against children or infants may have a stronger impact on thosewhochoose
to investigate. Many gruesome murders like blunt force trauma or often cannibalism can affect
those investigating. Homicide often fears people and creates great emotional impacts within a
workplace. Overtime psychological damage can impact the brain and create great stress for
anyone working within the field (Baldwin). Crime scene investigatorsmakeconsciouseffortsin
order to deal with certain crimes.Manyinthefieldsufferfromdifferenttypesofstressdisorders
oranxiety,andoftendonottalkaboutmanycrimescenesoutsideofworklife.
After researching thecareerpathofforensic science,itremainsaninterestingcareertopic
and also very rewarding to the public. Forensic science stands to help many people every day
and continues to advance in many fields including technology. Theadvancementsinthiscareer
have helped solve many mysteries over thousands of years and create new ways of analytical
thinking and hundreds of different career paths. Forensic science proves to develop at a rapid
speed and show promising improvements. Not only does the job attract thousands per year but
also proves as needed everywhere. The advancing opportunities and careers that this job entails
provides thousands with jobs worldwide and creates a well known televisionshowsthatinterest
millions. Forensic scientist open the minds of thousands and help save lives behind thescenes.
Although forensics often do not get the recognition of many like detectives and police officers,
they often use deeper and more science based thinking. Few people in the world can fully say

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they helped save thousands of lives, although forensics dothisindirectlythejobhelpssocietyin

a very important way. The evolution of forensicsandfuturedevelopmentswillcontinuetogrow
inthefuture.

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