Minimum Requirements A bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or any closely related field with a minimum of 16 credit hours in chemistry. Individuals may visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Employment Website at employment.pa to view and apply for job postings of interest.
Scientists with the Forensic Biology discipline examine evidence for the presence of body fluids such as blood and as well as conduct DNA analysis on evidence containing these body fluids and touch DNA samples.
In criminal cases, forensic scientists are often involved in the search for and examination of physical traces that might be useful for establishing or excluding an association between someone suspected of committing a crime and the scene of the crime or victim.
Forensic scientists examine and analyze evidence from crime scenes and elsewhere to develop objective findings that can absolve an innocent person from suspicion or assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of crime.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
The first recorded use of forensic science to prove guilt comes from medieval China in 1325. A farmer was ed in his field by a sickle (a common harvesting tool). Investigators gathered all the sickles and laid them out. One attracted flies, proving it was used in the .
Forensic science plays a pivotal role in modern crime investigation, serving as a bridge between law enforcement and the judicial system. This interdisciplinary field encompasses various scientific techniques and methodologies that are employed to collect, preserve, and analyse physical evidence from crime scenes.
Examples of Associative Evidence latent fingerprints left on an object, fibers left from contact of clothing with objects, blood from physical injury, from sexual assault, saliva from spitting, cigarettes, or envelopes, hair shed at a scene, paint transferred during a burglary or automobile accident,
Admission requirements The successful completion of a senior certificate (Grade 12) plus two years of relevant experience or tertiary qualification in the field of commercial forensic practice.
To pursue a career in forensics or as a detective, you typically need at least an associate's degree in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field. However, many positions require a bachelor's degree or higher. Here are some recommended educational pathways: