Forensic science can be defined as the application of scientific methods and principles to solve crimes and other types of legal problems. In most criminal cases, a forensic scientist is often involved in finding and examining many types of physical evidence that can help establish a link between a crime suspect and the crime scene or victim. Forensic analysis is now a more popular topic as several TV shows have been successful, such as Crime Scene Investigation (CSI).

However, very few people realize that being a CSI or forensic professional can be a very good career path. Many reasons can be adduced that make forensic science one of the best career prospects today. The reasons range from the job market, salaries, benefits to the availability of training and more.

The availability of jobs for someone looking to be a forensic professional used to be very small for a long time until about five years ago, when many technological and scientific advances began to develop and provided new types of tools that substantially improved the efficiency of the police. . and security forces in solving crimes and other problems. As a consequence, most law enforcement agencies and other institutions greatly expanded their resources and facilities to increase their ability to employ forensic science techniques and methodologies.

Although police departments alone employ (and continue to employ) thousands of people from various areas of forensic work and with different educational backgrounds, the police are not the only alternative for those seeking a job related to forensic science or crime. criminal justice. Forensic science methods and concepts are increasingly being used by many other institutions for various purposes, making the job market for forensic science larger than ever. Companies that develop, improve and produce tools, reagents, kits and devices to be used in forensic investigation are also a good part of the available labor market. The size of the labor market and the associated opportunities increase considerably if one considers working abroad. In addition to the United States, countries such as Great Britain and Australia are also part of this trend.

Being a discipline that relies heavily on technology, working in forensic science requires the acquisition of certain skills. This means that someone who wants to work in forensic medicine needs at least some type of higher education. The type of degree and the length of the program vary greatly and depend on the type of work one is interested in doing. Some positions require higher degrees, such as a doctorate or master’s degree, but many more positions can be taken after a short one- or two-year course at smaller private academies.

But these requirements are not much of a hurdle to overcome when you consider the many benefits of working for a forensic department. Positions in police agencies and other law enforcement institutions are often accompanied by substantial benefits and competitive salaries and, best of all, good prospects for stability and career growth along with an aura of social approval typically associated with the job. public service of public order. These and many other reasons make forensic science one of the best career options available today.