CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

Forensic science is the application of  scientific methods and processes in various legal and criminal-related settings.  It is most commonly used in criminal investigations and convictions.  The primary focus of forensic science is to uncover physical evidence through recognition, identification, testing and evaluation, and relies on various forms of science including chemistry, biology and physics to analyze and interpret data.

A forensic scientist is a professional who works closely with law enforcement, studying the evidence associated with criminal investigations.  Forensic scientists perform chemical and physical analyses on evidence using complex instruments, microscopic examination techniques, mathematical principles, science and reference materials.  While some work in the field at crime scenes, others work in laboratory environments or morgues.

The following careers in Forensic Science are offered at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.  Most of these careers involve collaborating with law enforcement, presenting evidence, and testifying in a court of law.

Forensic Anthropologist:

Forensic anthropology is the study of human remains, while anthropology, in general, is the study of the origin and development of human societies.  This field is a subspecialty of physical anthropology, which involves applying skeletal analysis and techniques to human remains to understand the cause of death or identify a victim.  A forensic anthropologist collects and assesses human remains, which may occur at a crime scene.  They analyze and interpret their findings, using their results to help determine the identity of the deceased by such methods as radiology, and to establish injuries and the cause of death.  They create a report summarizing their findings.

Forensic Biologist/DNA Analyst:

A forensic biologist/DNA analyst is a scientist who specializes in biology and processing evidence related to crimes.  They evaluate evidence from crime scenes for traces of DNA.  DNA can appear in a range of places, like in hair strands, blood, saliva or skin.  They will locate, isolate and copy these traces of DNA and compare results against other samples or information in databases to help identify a victim or a criminal.  They may also match hair or fibers found at a crime scene to a suspect's clothing or vehicle.  They create a report summarizing their findings.

Forensic Death Investigator:

A forensic death investigator, or medicolegal death investigator, uses law enforcement and medical knowledge to evaluate instances of suspicious, unexpected, unexplained or violent death.  Death investigators report to crime scenes and other areas where a person has passed, photograph the scene, and assist with forensic investigations by meeting with law enforcement, interviewing witnesses, and locating relevant medical, family or social histories.  After examining the victim and the scene, death investigators communicate their input and thoughts regarding how the death occurred by creating a report.  They also coordinate the removal of bodies from the scene.  

Forensic Drug Chemist:

Forensic drug chemistry is chemistry applied to the identification of illegal substances within the criminal justice system.  Analysts use scientific findings to help investigators pursue legal action against individual(s) suspected of a drug-related crime.  The goal is to determine whether the material submitted contains an illegal substance(s), and create a report documenting their findings.

Forensic Evidence Coordinator:

Forensic evidence coordinators or evidence technicians are responsible for receiving, processing, distributing and storing evidence related to postmortem examinations and crimes.  They must maintain the chain of custody for all evidence by meticulous documentation.

Forensic Histology Technician:

Histology technicians are medical lab professionals who specialize in histology, the study of the microscopic structures of tissues.  Their duties include preparing slides from specimens of tissue for examination and analysis, as well as testing tissues according to the needs of pathologists.  Technicians operate precision equipment and work with a variety of dyes and chemicals to make tissue abnormalities visible with a microscope.  Pathologists use those slides for research or to make a diagnosis.

Forensic Firearm/Toolmark Examiner:

A firearm and toolmark examiner analyzes firearms, toolmarks, and ballistics.  They perform forensic examinations of weapons and projectiles, test-fire and photograph firearms and firearms-related evidence, and prepare reports based upon their examinations.  Their work may include firearms serial number restoration and determining the muzzle proximity and trajectory of firearms used at the scene of a crime.  They also engage in footwear and tire track comparisons, primer residue analyses and toolmark comparisons.

Forensic Toxicologist:

A forensic toxicologist performs specialized tests to examine bodily fluids and tissue samples for drugs, alcohol, chemical gases or other substances.  They identify each substance and measure the concentrations, creating a report summarizing the findings.

Forensic Photographer:

A forensic photographer takes skilled photographs in the morgue to capture evidence.  Their photographic documentation of the postmortem examination findings provides detailed information on the physical appearance of decedents, their personal property, injuries, evidence and other pertinent findings.  These photographs are for use by medical examiners, law enforcement and attorneys.  They also maintain a secure database of photographs.

Forensic Fingerprint Examiner:

A forensic fingerprint examiner assists with identification of decedents by collecting fingerprint samples, analyzing fingerprints, and loading fingerprint images into databases for comparison.

There are many additional careers in Forensic Science that are not offered at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.  These include:

• Crime scene technician
• Crime scene photographer
• Science reporter
• Lab technician
• Criminology professor
• Police officer
• Biomedical technician
• Analytical chemist
• Forensic accountant
• Forensic entomologist
• Forensic engineering
• Forensic odontology