<p>are there any colleges with like forensics majors? idk if that even exists, but i had a dream about it the other day... seems pretty cool and involves science, which i like.
or is that just like a job, but theres no like real training involved in college?</p>
<p>just curious.</p>
<p>and also, how do you get your questions noticed on this site? my first question has no replies yet, and im kinda desparate, so if you have some time, please check it out? </p>
<p>thank youuuuu<3</p>
<p>Yes, there are a few schools with a forensic science major, but most forensic science positions are still filled with applicants who have degrees from regular science programs. Majoring in criminology is another avenue, and you might consider arson investigator as well. (In Texas the Fire Marshal has his own crime lab separate from the state police.) These jobs are still being filled with bachelor’s level scientists, but they’re leaning more and more toward PhD’s, not because the job requires it, but because when you testify in court, the title of Doctor gives your testimony more weight with a jury.</p>
<p>A working forensic science lab will have various divisions, and you would likely be hired into one specific position. For example, blood and urine analysis is one division, fibers and fingerprints and I think ballistics is another, and DNA is altogether separate from any others. There may be some overlap between various positions, but in the Texas DPS crime labs, each division has its own manager and employees. The royalty of the crime lab are the DNA guys – nobody who’s not part of their team is allowed into their labs. The job listing always specifies which lab has the opening.</p>
<p>But forensic science is not at all like CSI on TV, so if that has in any way influenced your decision, you might want to rethink. Besides the BS science on TV, the cases are always conclusive, whereas in real life the lab analysis typically helps establish guilt but does not prove it. Jurors who watch TV expect a conclusive result from the lab expert, but instead you’re sitting on the witness stand saying things like “is consistent with” instead of “proves!”</p>
<p>I do not recommend taking a forensic science undergrad degree. Most crime labs hire people with a BS in chemistry, biochemistry (best), or biology (with mol. cell, and biochem courses). They don’t have a preference for forensics majors. The reason being is they have to train you from the ground up anyways (about a year) for you to be a credible analyst. Also if you do not get a job in forensics (it is very competitive despite the rather low pay and high boredom) most companies will not hire you as a chemist, tech, biologist…</p>
<p>If you get hired as a forensic scientist you can always pursue a MS/PhD in forensics later while employed if you feel it will help.</p>
<p>The job is not as interesting as you have heard/seen on TV. Crime lab analysts receive samples and run the same GC/MS or DNA tests over and over again exactly as the protocols say and filling out hordes of paperwork because if there is so much as a missing date the evidence is tossed and you will likely be fired, and have to live knowing your small mistake put a rapist back on the streets.</p>
<p>Also state govts and some large cities are the only employers and they are in no position to be hiring and have lead the nation in layoffs, furloughs, hiring freezes.</p>