So you want to be a forensic scientist?

On hearing my forensic scientist job title, people often ask if I will chat to their daughter/son, niece/nephew, friend’s child, grandma’s hairdresser’s cousin twice removed (you get the picture) about their forensic science career aspirations. Actually, I quite like having these chats. At heart I’m a science nerd, so any excuse to talk about the things we do in forensic science is an exciting opportunity. Despite what you might think, willing listeners are a rare commodity, so I try to stop talking before their eyes glaze over.

During these chats with the fresh-faced disciples worshipping at the shrine of CSI, I find myself explaining the same things, so I thought this would make a useful post for others in that position. So here are some useful pointers that might help if you’re wondering whether a career in forensic science is for you.

Disclaimer: I remain willing to chat to interested parties about this work. Try and stop me!

Know what the job involves

Is your fantasy investigating crimes, catching criminals, and securing justice for the victims? All admirable objectives, and if they’re yours, then a career in forensic science might not be for you. This might surprise you. Despite the evidence of popular TV dramas to the contrary (yes, I’m looking at you, CSI and NCIS), none of these aspirations can really be said to be the role of the forensic scientist. An important distinction between this misconception and reality is the perceived duty of forensic scientists; we are independent, and it is right and proper that this is the case. Our duty is to the court, regardless of who instructs us or pays our fees. If you want to catch villains, be a detective.

Independence is a fine line to walk. Police-instructed scientists might attend case conferences and get to know the investigators in a complex case. They may celebrate when their work leads to the identification of a potential suspect. None of these is wrong, and we take these little victories when we can, but they do not render the forensic scientist part of the investigative team, and forensic scientists would do well to remember that.

There may be times when a forensic scientist needs to explain to police that the findings do not support the alleged activity. These conversations are never easy,  but they would be impossible if experts felt pressure to always deliver the results and opinions that police would like. The principle equally applies to those who are defence-instructed. All of us who are expert witnesses are servants of the court, regardless of whether we are prosecution or defence witnesses.

The responsibilities of the expert witness are explained in part 19 of the Criminal Procedure Rules and Practice Directions. Part 19 is crucial reading for all experts preparing findings for a criminal trial in England and Wales. It explains our place in criminal proceedings and our duties at court. You can read them here, and you will need to scroll down to reach part 19, expert evidence. Forensic scientists are also bound by the code of practice of the UK Forensic Science Regulator.

What is a forensic scientist anyway?

There’s really no such thing as forensic science. There is simply science. Science becomes forensic science when it’s applied to legal proceedings. That is what forensic means. As a result, forensic science is really an umbrella term to describe a vast and eclectic field of specialist techniques. There is no single expert working alone in a basement, conducting all the forensic science work for an entire organisation.** We are all specialists.

Those entering forensic science will do so into a specialist field, and there are many. DNA profiling, body fluids testing, and blood pattern analysis are the specialist areas of the forensic biologist, who may hold some or all of these competencies. This is my specialist area, so of course I’m going to mention this one first. Other trace evidence might include fibres, hairs, and particulates, such as paint and glass, each of which has their own specialist techniques.

Marks comparisons, including footwear marks, tool marks, and fingerprints, tend each to be individual specialisms. An expert colleague in these areas suggests that they might not be sciences at all. Rather, he says, each could be described as a craft, acknowledging that they, like other forensic science specialisms, involve tremendous training and skill.

The chemistry-based specialisms include forensic toxicology, drugs analysis, and substance analysis in general. Niche chemistry-based disciplines also include explosives analysis and other military-based applications. The field of fire investigation also contains a significant chemistry-based aspect.

Forensic anthropology is an important specialism in human identification, and may assist in answering such questions as the age, height, sex and likely ethnic origin of unidentified skeletal remains. Linked to human remains are the specialisms of forensic entomology, which focuses on the insects found on remains, and forensic archaeology, which may be applied, for example in mass disaster scenarios.

The field of animal forensics, associated with veterinary medicine, is one that is increasing in scope, and research has demonstrated proven links in cases of animal crime to cases of human crime. I foresee this area expanding in future years.

The final field I will mention here is ‘digital forensics’, and ‘field’ is a vastly understated descriptor for the exponentially increasing number of specialist techniques in this area. Digital forensics is in its relative infancy, and in my view, the extent of the forensic science work of this type has not yet been fully anticipated.

If that isn’t enough, there are many others (collision investigation, botany, palynology, voice comparison, gait analysis, document examination, handwriting comparison, facial reconstruction). I’ll have missed many from this list no doubt, and I wonder where the boundaries of forensic science lie. I should also mention the forensic medical specialisms here. Very scientific, but practiced by doctors and nurses (yes, there are forensic nurse examiners), not forensic scientists.

What does a forensic scientist do?

I’m often asked what a typical day is like for a forensic scientist. I can say with authority, there isn’t one. How any day in forensic science pans out will depend in part on one’s role. Warning: Your aspirations may be affected even further by this next part.

Forensic science begins at the crime scene. Exhibits taken from there are examined, tested, and the scene itself often merits close examination. If you are envisaging a career at the crime scene, then work as a CSI (crime scene investigator) rather than a forensic scientist may be for you. In England and Wales, CSIs are invariably employed by one of the 43 police forces. I understand that it’s a little different in Scotland, where there is now only one combined police force. Referred to by some forces as SOCOs (scene of crime officers), they are search and recovery specialists, trained in chemical enhancement techniques and skilled photographers. Make no mistake, this is hard physical work, often in cramped, uncomfortable conditions, wearing restrictive personal protective equipment. Crime rarely happens during office hours, so this work involves shift patterns and unsociable hours. Career progression is to the role of Crime Scene Manager, which involves greater responsibility at the scene and potentially the supervision and management of CSIs.

CSIs are called upon to give evidence in court, and when they do, deliver factual evidence encompassing details of what they recovered, where, when and how. CSI evidence, much like police evidence, is considered specialist information, but does not constitute expert evidence, since CSIs, unlike forensic scientists, are not called upon to give expert opinions.

Much of forensic science takes place in the laboratory and there are various roles here, of which the aspiring forensic scientist should be aware. Much of the police-instructed forensic science in England and Wales is conducted by three main forensic service providers: Cellmark Forensic Services, Eurofins Forensic Services, and Key Forensic Services. Forensic science job seekers would do well to keep an eye on the vacancy sections of each of their websites. There are a number of other FSPs, notably, Forensic Access and Keith Borer Consultants, who provide less frequently used evidence types and conduct defence-instructed work. Many of the police forces also have their own laboratory facilities providing a range of services, and fingerprint comparison work, like CSI, remains largely a police-run activity in England and Wales.

The same types of roles can be found within these organisations. In addition to the various support and management roles, the scientific roles can be generally split into two groups, both of which are routinely described as forensic scientists. Examiners and Analysts are responsible for the hands-on examination and testing of exhibits and samples, whilst Reporting Officers are responsible for interpreting findings, forming conclusions which comprise their expert opinions, presenting these in reports or statements, and if required, delivering their conclusions as evidence in court. Both groups tend to specialise and hold a variety of evidence type-specific skills and competencies.

If your aspirations in forensic science lie in the laboratory, searching for trace materials on exhibits, using complex instruments, or spending a day looking down a microscope, say, then a career as a forensic examiner or a forensic analyst might be for you. Examiners and analysts usually conduct all the laboratory examination and testing of exhibits, based on a strategy that has been set by the reporting officer.

Examiners are search and recovery experts trained in multiple screening and testing techniques to locate potential evidence on all manner of exhibits. Examiners tend to work closely with reporting officers throughout the examination process. Analysts work in the chemistry-based specialisms such as drugs and toxicology, or in areas such as DNA analysis. Analysts are specialists in sample handling and the use of complex laboratory instrumentation to conduct chemical assays. In some laboratories, they may also be involved in research and method development. Analysts and examiners may be called to court to give evidence on occasion. Like CSIs, they do not generally give opinion evidence, and as such, are not considered expert witnesses.

Reporting officers manage the forensic science aspects of a case, which is why one FSP refers to them as reporting managers. ROs assess each case to determine the significance of potential findings, then develop an examination strategy, which is implemented by examiners and analysts. ROs then interpret, and as the name suggests, report the findings. Much of the RO’s work life is therefore spent writing, and communication skills, both written and verbal, are paramount. In cases where forensic science findings are used in a trial, ROs are often (but not always) requested to attend court to give evidence. In these circumstances, they are considered expert witnesses, since they may offer expert opinions as part of their evidence.

ROs and examiners may also attend crime scenes. Those who do, tend to work as part of a scene-attending team, and their work at the scene usually involves specialist interpretation, for example of blood patterns or footwear marks. Scene attendance for these individuals is likely to be in only a small proportion of their total cases.

Qualifications & Entry Routes

Some of these roles are accessible to those without a degree. CSI, examiner and analyst roles are available to those holding relevant science A-levels or other further education qualifications. However, most people taking up these roles tend to have a science or a forensic science degree.

Reporting officers must hold a degree in a relevant science. Many also hold postgraduate degrees, but these are not essential for the role. Forensic science degree programmes are available at many universities and some of these are excellent. Check out those that are accredited to the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences educational standards. Whilst these degree programmes offer a useful overview of forensic science specialisms, they are not an absolute requirement for entry to forensic science. Some might argue that the principles of science learnt in pure science degrees are also vital, and these tend not to be covered in as much detail in forensic science degree programmes. Prospective students of these programmes should also understand that they will not automatically be a forensic scientist upon graduation, regardless of how any of these courses might be advertised. Those entering the industry into any of the roles discussed here undergo lengthy and rigorous training, and are subject to testing and mentoring before they are considered qualified and can legitimately call themselves forensic scientists.

Have you got what it takes?

Forensic science work isn’t for everyone. It is painstaking, often repetitive work. A calm and patient demeanour is an advantage, and attention to detail is essential. Methodical, logical, and organised individuals are good candidates. Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are also useful for those undertaking scene and examination work.

Forensic scientists should have strong communication skills. As forensic scientists, we learn the importance of explaining the science in lay terms. Forensic science is of no use at all if its users fail to understand the significance of scientific findings.

Whilst seeing dead bodies is not inevitable, it does happen. There are also a variety of unpleasant smells and substances to cope with, so those of a squeamish disposition are unlikely to be suited to these aspects of the role.

Can you hack it?

Forensic science isn’t all dead bodies and crime scenes. In fact, many forensic scientists don’t go to crime scenes at all. However, it’s fair to suggest that forensic science casework, whether prosecution or defence-instructed, exposes a person to details of all the vile things that people do to each other in a kind of concentrated dose. Those entering this industry will need to be prepared for the effect this might have.

Fortunately, awareness of our mental health is far more commonplace these days, and in forensic science, we have begun to recognise the need to discuss these issues and be mindful of how this work makes us feel. I point you in the direction of my friend and colleague, Jess, a Reporting Manager and scene attender at Key Forensic Services. Here, she has written an honest account of how the job has affected her mental health. This is required reading for all future forensic scientists.

Two final points

By this stage of my talks to aspiring forensic scientists, I can usually tell whether I have completely ruined their expectations of what forensic science work entails. At this point I give my two pieces of advice to prospective students considering their future careers, and they are these:

1. Don’t choose subjects to study based on a career to which you think they’ll lead. That is a mistake, and you may find yourself studying subjects that don’t interest you at all as a means to an end. Instead, choose the subjects you are passionate about; those that grab your attention. If you do this, you will have a far higher chance of succeeding, and the most appropriate career options will find you.

2. Look for the learning opportunity in every situation. You may not yet be where you want to be, but there will be something of value to learn, even if you don’t realise it at the time. As it happens, this is an excellent attitude for the forensic scientist. Science progresses, and experts need to keep up to date with the latest developments in their specialist field. Forensic science is an environment of continual learning.

I hope the detail here has given some idea of what work in the various areas of forensic science is really like. While popular media may portray an idealised and glamorous version of forensic science, the truth is both more nuanced and banal. From long hours to the emotional toll of dealing with tragic and disturbing cases, the realities of this painstaking work underscore the unwavering diligence of forensic scientists in support of truth.

** Of course you knew I was thinking of this fictional forensic scientist.