<p>is forensic science considered a real science course? if so, is it good money? i would like to know a few information in that field if anyone wants to help. Thanks!! =)</p>
<p>Most forensic evidence technicians have a BS in chemistry, biochemistry, or biology (molecular concentration). Do not go to one of those unaccredited for-profits or you are really sunk. A BS in criminal justice/or forensics is not recommended due to its very narrow focus. MSc programs in forensics are helpful though.</p>
<p>The market kind of stinks for forensics. There are only a few employers, usually state govts, and right now they are not doing well financially. Also thanks to shows like CSI there is huge competition for those jobs even though they are not even remotely as interesting as the TV shows suggest. That is another reason why forensics BSc’s are not recommended. It is simple to train a chemist to be an evidence tech but not vice-versa so you are very limited. Most forensics departments don’t prefer forensics degrees anyways.</p>
<p>The job is mostly very routine testing following the established protocols exactly and filling out hordes of paperwork with absolutely no mistakes as lawyers love to attack that stuff in court. It is actually insanely boring from what I understand. It is running an assembly line of DNA tests or GC-MS for drug residues.</p>
<p>The pay is rather poor. $30 to 40k to start. You can eventually work up to $60k more if you become director of the lab. However, there are few employers like I said and they aren’t hiring much now.</p>
<p>So thats not a good field to go into? because i was thinking of pre-med but to be honest i know i will not be able to put the effort into that. and like i like investigation and stuff like that, so i was thinking why not go into a field i like. i know the pay may be low but it better then working at a job i know i will not like.</p>
<p>It’s not just the pay is low. The pay is rock bottom McDonalds worker level, and it’s hard to get into. You’ll be an office drone doing spreadsheets and paperwork, when you’re not in the lab running the same tests over and over again.</p>
<p>You won’t be doing any investigating. The protocols are cook book. You just follow the directions precisely over and over. The main thing is also that all the paperwork and forms are filled out correctly as that is what lawyers go after. They don’t argue the science much as it is well established. They nit pick the little details.</p>
<p>The investigating is done by the police. The techs just spit out the results yes this really is cocaine this DNA does match the known sample etc.</p>