All About The Forensic Profession

If you are interested in law, exact sciences, like to watch detective series and dream of working in law enforcement agencies, then you should turn your attention to the profession of an expert in forensic science. Today in our article we will consider in detail the features of the professional activities of such a specialist.

Forensics is a complex and complex science. A person with appropriate education and practical training in the specialty can occupy such narrow-profile positions as a forensic chemist or a forensic psychiatrist.

A person in the position of a criminalist is engaged in researching the laws of crime, studying the mechanism for carrying out unlawful actions, the existing methods and methods of hiding his tracks, and is also developing various methods for analyzing material evidence. As you can see, the duties of a specialist include a large number of complex and diverse tasks.

In the exercise of their professional functions the criminalist (together with the investigator) travels to the crime scene, participates in the examination and collection of evidence, and also solves other types of tasks directly on the spot. In general, the work of a specialist can be divided into 2 stages. So, at the crime scene, the specialist conducts a preliminary analysis and carries out preparatory work, and a direct study of the materials obtained takes place already in the laboratory.

Depending on the forensic specialization, he can conduct a variety of types of examinations: for example, traological, ballistic, fingerprinting, graphological. However, some professionals can perform only one of them, while others are universal specialists. One way or another, the forensic laboratory tests help law enforcement officers investigate the crime and find the perpetrators.

The work of a criminalist (like any other professional activity) is distinguished by its special characteristics and individual features. It is important to keep in mind that they are not only positive, but also negative. Before you finally make the decision that you want to connect your life with such a career, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

First, consider the benefits of the profession.

• High demand for specialists. Forensic experts with a high level of qualification, in-depth knowledge, as well as work experience and specialized practical skills are very popular among employers. The thing is that this profession in itself is quite complicated, therefore, it is very difficult to find a truly competent employee. If you are such a specialist, then employers will compete for your candidacy.
• Social benefits. Most often, criminologists work in government agencies and departments. Accordingly, thanks to official employment, you can count on a full social package (including paid leave and sick leave). In addition, specialists are offered various benefits (for example, free spa treatment).
• Decent wages. To begin with, it’s worth saying right away that at the beginning of his career, the forensic specialist cannot count on a high salary. However, with the acquisition of experience and skills, as well as moving up the career ladder, material remuneration for the work of a specialist can increase significantly.

It is worth paying attention to the existing shortcomings of the profession.

• High stress and emotional stress. In the course of fulfilling his job duties, the forensic scientist is constantly at the scene of violent crimes: murders, rape, etc. This cannot but affect the emotional and psychological state of the employee. In this regard, professionals often have to turn to psychologists for help (especially for young professionals). I must say that over time, the level of sensitivity decreases.
• Risks and Dangers. Due to the fact that the criminalist is directly related to the criminal world, he can be exposed to all sorts of risks and dangers. So, for example, they can blackmail him and demand the issuance of an untrue expert opinion.
• Irregular work schedule. Despite the fact that you will be offered a work plan and schedule for employment, it is far from always that your professional activities will fully comply with such a schedule. Very often you will have to work late at night, on weekends or holidays.
• Hard working conditions. The forensic scientist is not an office worker. The specialist spends part of his time in the laboratory, however, another part of the work is carried out directly at the crime scene. At the same time, it can be located, for example, on the street, where in the conditions of a 30-degree frost you will have to collect the necessary evidence. Thus, the profession of a criminalist is very complex and demanding, which not everyone can cope with.

In connection with the features of the profession, which were described in detail above, employers put forward higher requirements for job seekers as a forensic expert. Moreover, they relate not only to professional skills, abilities and knowledge, but also to personal characteristics of a person.

First of all, it must be said that the forensic expert must know a lot and be able to. Consider the specific professional requirements for a specialist.

• Forensic knowledge in forensics. So, a specialist should know all the existing methods, scientific technologies, types of expertise, etc. If you plan to move up the career ladder and not be an ordinary, but a leading employee, then you need to take care of developing your own ideas and hypotheses.
• Ballistics - This is an area of ​​scientific knowledge in which the forensic scientist should be well oriented. Thanks to in-depth theoretical knowledge in this field, a specialist will be able to correctly examine weapons, determine how the murder was committed, at what distance from the victim the criminal was, how tall he was, etc.
• Forensic specialist must be able to conduct an examination of explosives (this applies to both direct explosive compositions and explosive devices). If there is sufficient knowledge, the expert will help the investigator to understand the circumstances of the explosion.
• When studying various documents and written evidence knowledge in the field of graphology will be indispensable. This scientific field will help the forensic scientist determine the psychological state of the writer, compare patterns of handwriting and ultimately identify the perpetrators of the crime.
• In modern realities, investigators and operational employees are very often met with audio and video evidence. In order to recognize speech, to detail the image, to establish the voice belonging to a particular person, as well as to evaluate the reliability of the recording as a whole, law enforcement officers without fail turn to criminologists for help.
• Detailed knowledge of fingerprinting (both its theoretical foundations and the possession of the necessary practical skills) is a basic requirement for each expert. This science allows you to determine the participant of the crime using fingerprints, which are unique and inimitable in each individual person.
• If any physical traces are found at the crime scene (for example, footwear or tire marks) the forensic specialist turns to a traological examination.
• If in the process of committing an unlawful act the offender left his genetic traces (for example, traces of blood or saliva), then the forensic scientist who is collecting evidence in this case must make a DNA test.
• Another type of research that should be owned by a highly qualified specialist is expert examination. Thanks to special techniques, a professional will be able to determine the author of a document found at the crime scene (including its authenticity).

In addition to the necessary professional characteristics, which are key for every forensic scientist, and without which the specialist will not be able to fully carry out their work functions, many employers put forward requirements in relation to personal qualities.

The most important character traits that an expert should possess include:

• erudition;
• high intellectual level;
• the desire to improve and expand their professional knowledge;
• good memory;
• stress resistance;
• emotional stability;
• analytic mind;
• logical thinking;
• the ability to concentrate over a long period of time on one task.

If you are dreaming of the profession of a forensic expert, then the first step you need to take to achieve your goal is to get the appropriate education. You can become a forensic scientist with almost any higher education. You only have to take retraining courses. But if you enter the university immediately after the 11th grade of the school, then you should choose exactly the direction that interests you. So, first of all, it is necessary to choose a suitable educational institution (and this should be an institute or university, not a college).

Similar institutions are located in almost all major cities of Russia (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Saratov, etc.). Here you need to choose the appropriate direction of training, namely - “Forensic examination”.

Before entering a university, you need to visit its admissions committee and find out in detail which subjects you need to take for the exam, whether an applicant must pass entrance exams. It should immediately be borne in mind that it is very difficult to study as a criminalist. Wherein you will have to give a lot of your strength and attention not only to theoretical, but also to practical training. So, you will not only get acquainted with the process of conducting various types of forensic examinations, but also learn hand-to-hand combat, fire training, etc. After graduation, you will not have to look for work on your own, as the university will give you directions. However, you can be sent to work in the farthest corners of our country, which is not suitable for every graduate. In this regard, many applicants enter higher education institutions of a broader profile.

The young specialist should take into account the fact that the process of learning does not end at the basic education. The thing is that forensic science is a field of knowledge that is constantly evolving. Scientists invent new methods and principles, make discoveries. That is why To maintain your intellectual level, you need to constantly attend various educational events: lectures, conferences, master classes, workshops, etc. Only in this case will you be able to stay up to date with all the latest trends and will be a relevant specialist in the labor market.

The material remuneration for the work of a forensic expert varies greatly depending on his place of work, the sector in which he carries out his professional activities (public or private), and also on the region of residence (professionals living in large cities and the capital earn more than those working in the provinces).

In general, the average salary of a criminalist working in Russia is about 45,000 - 60,000 rubles. At the same time, in the starting positions, a young specialist can receive a smaller amount. On the other hand, the salaries of leading experts may exceed 100,000 rubles. Thus, material compensation (among other things) also depends on the experience and qualifications of a specialist.

All forensic experts working to date can be divided into 2 large categories, depending on where they work.The 1st category includes those specialists who carry out their professional activities in state bodies, and the 2nd group of forensic scientists works in private forensic organizations. If we talk about specific places of work, then First of all, it is necessary to highlight a variety of law enforcement agencies (police, prosecutors, investigative committees, etc.), as well as scientific laboratories.

Immediately after graduation, a young man cannot apply for the position of forensic scientist. Most likely his will hire an assistant expert. Thus, the future forensic scientist will be able to get initial experience, which is invaluable for the subsequent implementation of work activities, as well as learn the necessary skills. Also in the process, the baggage of theoretical knowledge of the specialist will be replenished and strengthened. After some time, you can apply for the position of forensic. If in the process of your professional activity you prove yourself to be an active and proactive employee, you will improve your skills and constantly develop, then you can be appointed to a leading position. In addition, as part of the civil service, over time, you can switch to work in a related specialty.

If you decide to work in the private sector, then after graduation you will be able to be hired by the forensic laboratory. Over time and if desired (as well as with the necessary resources), you can open your own organization and hire subordinate employees. In addition, many forensic experts choose to move along the path of a scientific and educational career. For example, you can become a scientist and specialize in one area that interests you most. It is also possible to become a professor and work as a lecturer at the university or give independent lectures for young professionals across the country.

The profession of a criminalist is very interesting and comprehensive. In addition, it is beneficial to society. That is why every year hundreds and thousands of young people enter the corresponding areas of training at universities in our country.