How to become a Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists apply scientific procedures and techniques to the examination of potential evidence that may assist in legal investigations. They can then advise courts and lawyers about the forensic details of an alleged crime.

Personal requirements for a Forensic Scientist

Good communication skills
Able to remain unbiased in the examination of potential court evidence
Meticulous and capable of clear, logical and lateral thinking
Able to work as part of a team
Initiative and motivation
Able to persevere
Good observation skills
Balanced and measured nature

Education & Training for a Forensic Scientist

To become a forensic scientist you usually have to study forensic science at university (preferably at honours level), followed by a postgraduate qualification in forensic science. You may also consider degrees in other relevant areas, which may provide entry into various areas of forensic science. Relevant areas include biology, botany, chemistry, physics, dentistry or medicine. To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology are normally required. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Duties & Tasks of a Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists:

Identify illicit drugs
Analyse drugs and poisons in human tissue and body fluids, including blood alcohol results
Examine and compare materials such as fibres, paints, cosmetics, oils, fuels, plastics, glass, metals, soils and gunshot residues
Examine human and animal biological material to be compared with victims and suspects using DNA profiling
Conduct botanical identification of plant materials at trace levels and whole-plant identification (cannabis, for example)
Conduct document examinations, both physical (such as handwriting and typewriting) and chemical (such as analysis of inks and papers)
Analyse computers and obtain data from other electronic devices such as mobile phones
Examine crime scenes
Identify firearms and ammunition (forensic ballistics)
Detect, enhance, recover and identify latent fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, shoe marks, tyre marks and tracks
Examine fire and explosion scenes to establish the origin and cause
Improve the clarity of, and analyse, audio and video recordings
Produce reports, appear in court and present scientific and/or opinion testimony accurately and in a manner that is readily understood by the court
Present to a variety of audiences on the work of forensic scientists
Keep in contact with, and provide advice to, police investigators, legal practitioners, scientists and pathologists across a broad range of disciplines.

Tasks

Investigates the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms.
Examines objects of interest and uses the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes.
Studies the forms and structures of parasites and toxins by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination.
Designs and conducts experiments, makes observations and measurements, researches information, analyses data, prepares or supervises the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presents findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and may supervise the work of staff.

Working conditions for a Forensic Scientist

A wide range of expertise is required for forensic investigations. A forensic scientist may specialise in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, botany, pharmacology, toxicology, crime scene examination, firearms examination, fingerprint or document examination.

Employment Opportunities for a Forensic Scientist

A career in crime scene investigation, fingerprint identification or firearms examination may require entry into one of the state or territory police forces and completion of national training in the selected discipline. See the separate entries for Police Officer - State and Police Officer - Australian Federal Police for further details.The main employers of forensic scientists are state and federal government health departments and state, territory and federal police forces. The Australian Federal Police, through its Forensic and Data Centres Division in Canberra, employs forensic scientists in the disciplines of crime scene examination, fingerprint identification, firearms and ammunition identification, document examination, forensic biology and forensic chemistry.

Specializations

Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists apply scientific procedures and techniques to the examination of potential evidence that may assist in legal investigations.

Average age
37 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
63% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,794
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
70% Full-Time
Employment Size
1,000 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 3.9%
NSW: 26.9%
NT: 1.5%
QLD: 17.4%
SA: 7.4%
TAS: 2.6%
VIC: 32.1%
WA: 8.2%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.3%
20-24: 5%
25-34: 35%
35-44: 30.8%
45-54: 16.9%
55-59: 5.5%
60-64: 3.9%
65 and Over: 2.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.4%
Bachelor degree: 40.9%
Certificate III/IV: 4.1%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 48.5%
Year 10 and below: 0%
Year 11: 0%
Year 12: 3%