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jcook21
Member
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Posted: Mon Jan 19th, 2009 09:54 pm | 1st Post |
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Hi guys, I am a third year college student at Eastern Michigan and I have a couple questions that I need some answers to, and I'm really hoping you can help. Unfortunately, I am not getting properly advised at EMU and no one seems to know any answers to my questions. Lately, I have been speaking with advisers from different schools, but I still seem to get all kinds of different answers.
So, here's my story. I am studying criminology, with hopes of going to some kind of certification/training school afterwords (if any one knows of good ones in my area, please let me know) to work in a crime lab. My main goal is to get to analyze handwriting and/or fingerprinting. I really have no idea how to get to where I want to get. I've been told to join the police academy, I wont get a job in this field, and to switch concentrations to chemistry.
I've seriously been throwing this around and have no idea what is the right way to do what. I need answers soon, as I hope to graduate in 2010 and don't want any delays. Please, please, please, if anyone has any advice or guidance, throw it my way. Anything will help!!!
Thanks,
Jennifer
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cjustice
Administrator
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Posted: Tue Jan 20th, 2009 04:03 am | 2nd Post |
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Greetings:
Essentially, Criminology is the study of why people committ crime and how society responds. It, in reality, has little to do with the law enforcement function of prevention, detection and apprehension. With your BA in criminology you could, indeed, enter into a certificate program that would make you elible for some lab posistions. However, the essence of lab work is science. The word "forensic" means to debate an issue. We have come to understand it to mean bringing any discipline before the court to prove an issue - forensic accounting, forensic serology, forensic whatever - bringing the discipline or science into the court. So, to work in any "forensic" capacity you need a foundation in that discipline. Typically, people who work in labs have degrees in biology, chemistry, etc. Hard science, as opposed to a soft science like a socology based criminology degree.
For a fingerprint posistion here are some links to jobs - take a look at the qualifications, note that this is very much a "clerk job."
http://phoenix.gov/JOBSPECS/01220.html
http://egov.oregon.gov/DAS/HR/class/ccrt/spec/3786.pdf
http://www.austintexas.gov/hr/jobdesc/rpts/jobreport.cfm?codeid=2718
Here is a really good explanation of what it takes to get a science oriented job in policing:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos115.htm
Here is a pretty good overview of police jobs, if you scroll down you will find links to related type jobs:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm
Here is a broad overview of science technician jobs related to law enforcement
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes194092.htm
Now that you have looked through that information, go here:
http://www.usajobs.gov/
Use the search function with terms like criminal justice, criminology, etc. What kind of jobs come up? What are the qualifications, etc.
Lastly, I think the best thing to do is read up on what's out there - then, contact a large agency near you who employees people in the field you are look at - if you decide you want to be a fingerprint examiner, well, first find who has them, then go there and talk to one of them about the job. What do they do? How did they get there job? those kinds of questions.
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joesmith
Guest
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 06:26 am | 3rd Post |
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| Don't have much idea about this. I would also like know more about this. Anybody have knowledge, please share your views.
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beckfieldcjdean
Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 25th, 2009 01:37 pm | 4th Post |
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This question is often posed to our Admissions people, for we have an academic crime lab and train students in the field of crime scene processing. Indeed, to work in a 'crime lab,' you typically need a degree in chemistry. However, to become a crime scene technician, you must typically first join a police force, and, either apply within to be trained as a CST or, if you have the proper educational background, they will recognize this and come to you.
As to your interest in handwriting analysis and/or fingerprint work...there are many training courses/programs you can search for in regards to "graphology," which is the field of handwriting analysis. I obtained my training in it as a result of employment in the field of commercial fraud investigation. A school with specific courses in 'Crime Scene Technology/Processing' or possessing an Academic Crime Lab would also be able to provide the education/training you seek in fingerprint comparison/analysis.
So, in the end, you actually have several options, which is a good thing. You can obtain specific education/training in your areas of interest via an institution of higher education and/or private training seminars, or you can apply and join a local police department. As well, to reiterate, a 'forensic scientist' career does indeed typically begin with a degree in chemistry. Best of luck in all future endeavors.
Last edited on Thu Jun 25th, 2009 01:39 pm by beckfieldcjdean
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