<p>My daughter has decided she wants to be a Forensic Chemist and work in a crime lab. I know the best route for her to take is to major in Chemistry. But there are different options that various schools offer that relate to the end goal of Forensics and we are going crazy trying to figure out the best plan of action!</p>
<p>BS in Chemistry with Forensic Science Emphasis</p>
<p>BS in Chemistry with Forensic Chemistry Emphasis</p>
<p>BS in Chemistry with a Minor in Forensic Science</p>
<p>Double Major in Chemistry and Forensic Science</p>
<p>Double Major in Chemistry and Biochemistry (for the DNA aspect of forensics)</p>
<p>I know she will probably have to go on to get her Master's in Forensic Science as well, but with the competition so fierce for jobs in this field I want her to have the strongest possible foundation for internships and later employment.</p>
<p>I assume you are in Chicago by your screen name. I am in Chicago as well.</p>
<p>If your daughter wants to be a CSI I sure hope she doesn’t think it is anything like it is portrayed on crime shows. Forensics is usually more of a routine technician job running the same GC test for cocaine over and over again or running an assembly line of DNA tests. The analysis has to be performed exactly as the established and accepted protocol states. The main thing also is the paperwork has to be spotless and completely in order or the Lawyers will go after that. They don’t argue the science as I mentioned it is extremely well established and vetted they nit pick crap like protocols and forms/dates. From what my contacts in forensics tell me it is a really mind numbing job with all the boring paperwork and routine analysis. </p>
<p>That being said most, forensics departments hire people with a BS in Chemistry or Biochemistry (molecular biology DNA) and train them for a year on how things need to be done. They really don’t prefer forensics degrees at all. They have to train you from the ground up in order for your results to be certified and accepted. After working in the field a while, an MS or Ph. D. in forensics might be helpful if you want to move up to director of a lab or something, but I doubt even then that it is really necessary. Specializing at the undergrad level is not beneficial and actually hurts your career prospects. With a chem degree you could at least get jobs elsewhere and just as easily get a job in forensics but not with a forensics degree.</p>
<p>Getting a forensics job is fiercely competitive as I indicated above. About 7 years ago when I graduated I applied for the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for both Chemistry and DNA. I had to go downtown to the Thompson Center twice to take a computerized exam for each. I scored an A rating on both and was put on a list. The list then expired after a year and nothing resulted from it not even an interview. I decided not to bother retaking it again as it seemed to be a waste of time. Then President Bush actually gave a large grant to reduce the DNA backlog but the Illinois Govt missappropriated the funds and there was a scandal where a rapist went free because the evidence was not processed in time for the trial. There are not many employers that hire forensic chemists only state and some larger local governments.</p>
<p>Not all of what sschoe2 wrote is true. Even though the work is all done according to existing protocols, forensics labs are hiring PhD’s when they can because “Dr. Analyst” carries more weight with a jury than “Mr. Analyst.” (In addition to lab work and immaculate paperwork, testifying in court is part of the job.) It doesn’t take a year of training to learn any of these jobs, though. The work has to be carried out in accordance with specified protocols in order to be admissible in court. If you can’t do routine GC or flame AA analysis after a week of training, you’re in the wrong field. Other areas may take longer to learn, but nowhere are they going to give you a full year to learn your job.</p>
<p>Forensics labs are usually broken down by divisions. The lowest of these is blood and urine analysis, which consists primarily of testing backlogged blood and urine samples for drugs. Then there is hair and fiber analysis, ballistics, fingerprints, and so on. The princes of the forensics labs are the DNA guys. Their section of the lab is off-limits to anyone not in the DNA group.</p>
<p>There are so few universities offering forensic science degrees that it’s really not necessary. A biology, biochem, or chemistry degree will serve just as well. Competition for these jobs is indeed fierce – some years ago I applied and was one of 14 applicants who got an interview. I have no idea why they interviewed that many people, but they got something like 100 applications for the job. A few months later they called me back about another opening, but I declined a second interview because I had just started a job elsewhere.</p>
<p>@Sschoe2: You know what, I was going to get a second degree in Forensics awhile back because I did thought it would be interesting work and I could make a difference. Thank God I read yours and a lot of other people’s post. I would of made a huge mistake. Not only will the work be how you described, but I would be back in the same predicament as a lab technician with no advancement. That maybe fine for others, but it is not fine with me. So, people should do more research and search within themselves to make sure these careers are what they really wanna do. You have to be absolutely sure or you will waste so much time and money you can never get back.</p>