Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists operate at the meeting point between science and the law, providing impartial scientific evidence to help to solve crimes. Their findings and conclusions are used as evidence in courts of law. The work might involve using biology to examine such things as blood, tissue, hair and saliva, DNA to compare profiles from the smallest pieces of evidence, chemistry to examine evidence from fragments of glass or paint to shoe prints and soil, and toxicology to examine samples for illicit drugs, medicines, alcohol or poisons.

Forensic scientists help the police with enquiries into suspicious deaths, road accidents and fires. Once their investigative work is complete, they may need to submit their findings in the form of a statement, a report or a certificate for use in court. They may also need to attend court to give evidence.

Entry level
While you can become an assistant forensic scientist with at least one A level/Advanced Higher or two Highers in science subjects, you would need a good honours degree in a relevant subject in order to become a forensic scientist and progress to senior level.

There are some universities offering degrees in Forensic Science either as single or joint honours but it is possible to start training with a good degree in a subject such as chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biology or metallurgy, followed by a one- or two-year post-graduate course in forensic science. This is the route currently recommended by the Forensic Science Society. Relevant laboratory experience is an advantage.

For entry to a degree course, you would need two or three A levels/three or four H grades, including science subjects, and three GCSEs/two S grades (A-C/1-3) in other subjects, including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. If you do not have A levels/H grades in science subjects, some institutions offer a foundation year which is taken before the first year of the degree course.

Making the grade
Most training - for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in England and Wales or the police laboratories in Scotland - is done on the job, supplemented by formal training courses such as fire investigation, courtroom skills, statement writing, interpretation skills, executive reporting and expert witness courses.

The FSS may offer day release to assistant forensic scientists, so they can gain qualifications to advance their career prospects. In Scotland, technicians who get a relevant degree can become forensic scientists.

The FSS has a promotion structure from assistant forensic scientist to forensic scientist, and then to senior forensic scientist. Apart from the FSS, most employers in England and Wales are small, with limited opportunities for promotion.

In Scotland, forensic scientists can be promoted to section leaders, then to deputy head of forensic services, and on to head of forensic services or principal scientist.

Personal qualities
As a forensic scientist, you should be methodical and able to pay great attention to detail. You must be able to compose detailed and accurate reports, and able to explain complex scientific information to people who do not possess your technical knowledge.

You must be committed to learning new methods and constantly updating your skills, able to work well as part of a team, and not easily upset by other people when giving evidence in court.

Good colour vision is required for most types of forensic science work.

Looking ahead
In England and Wales, the FSS employs approximately 2,500 staff in six operational laboratories and one research laboratory. It is the largest employer of forensic scientists. In Scotland, forensic scientists are mainly employed by the police, and are based in one of four laboratories in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Dundee. Approximately 125 forensic scientists and about 50 assistant forensic scientists are employed in these four laboratories.

There are also a number of independent forensic laboratories, which cover all types of forensic examination.

This is a fiercely competitive area of work, with many well-qualified candidates chasing every vacancy. You may have to move around the country in order to secure a post.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include biochemist, biologist, biomedical scientist, chemist, clinical biochemist, materials scientist, microbiologist or pharmacologist.

Take-home pay
Assistant forensic scientists earn about £18,000. Forensic scientists earn around £30,000, rising to around £50,000 for a head of department.

Effects
The working week is usually 35 to 37 hours, Monday to Friday. There may be shifts and on-call work. Flexitime, part-time work and job sharing may be available.

Most of the work is laboratory based, but you may need to travel to scenes of crime, which can be either indoors or outdoors in all weather conditions.

Sources of information
Forensic Science Service: www.forensic.gov.uk
Forensic Science Society: www.forensic-science-society.org.uk
Forensic Science Northern Ireland: www.fsni.gov.uk
Council for the Recognition of Forensic Practitioners: www.crfp.org.uk
Grampian Police Forensic Science Laboratory, Queen Street, Aberdeen AB9 1BA.
Lothian and Borders Forensic Science Laboratory: www.lbp.police.uk/forensicscience
Police Forensic Science Laboratory Dundee: www.sol.co.uk/p/pfsld
Strathclyde Police Forensic Science Laboratory, 173 Pitt Street, Glasgow G2 4JS.

CRCI: TD