Criminalistics: An Oral Presentation for students in Big Buddy

Presented by Auriell Frederick and Marc Guinot

05/07/2013
4915 Service Learning Senior Research
Auriell: Were here today to present information about forensic science and why
you might like to be a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists use chemistry, physics,
biology, mathematics, and even psychology to help protect people, serve justice
and promote better public health. In addition to working with law enforcement to
help solve crimes, forensic scientists investigate environmental contamination,
even doping by athletes, and employee drug use. The data they collect is used by
the public for many informational and legal purposes.
Marc: Forensic scientists contribute to legal debates by applying scientific methods
to the investigation of legal problems. Health care providers in this field include
doctors, dentists, and criminalistics, forensic engineers, Forensic engineers figure
out why certain structures fail or dont operate as intended. Other jobs include
toxicologists, medical examiners, environmental, and food specialists. Forensics
economics deal with how businesses profit and loss. Theres even forensic
accounting, forensic psychology, and forensic entomology (which deals all with
the study of bugs!) In many cases, forensic scientists serve as frontline workers at
the scene of a disaster or crime-these individuals work in forensic crime. Forensic
anthropology deals with skeletal remains. Forensic entomology deal with insects.
As you can see there are many different jobs and areas of focus. Today were
focusing on Criminalistics, which is the science used to help understand the
evidence in crimes. Evidence used in criminalistics can include biological
evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, controlled substances and ballistics.
Biological evidence is usually bodily fluids such as semen and blood. Trace
evidence are items like hair and fibers. Impression evidence are items like foot
prints, impressions of car tires and fingerprints. Criminalistics is usually
investigated in a crime lab.Not a single person is an expert. Many specialists come
together to help put the pieces together to solve crime cases.

Forensic Science is a very small occupation. In the United States, there are about
4,000 crime laboratories, administered by the federal, state, or local governments
or private industry.
Many cities with very large populations have crime labs within their police
departments. These include Miami-Dade, Florida and the famous Las Vegas crime
lab. Most Forensic Scientists work in larger cities or organizations and some can
have irregular hours.
Most crime laboratories employ scientists in the areas of forensic chemistry (drugs,
toxicology, trace evidence, explosives, fires, etc.) forensic biology (mainly DNA
and body fluids and tissues), and criminalistics (fingerprints, questioned
documents, firearms, and tool marks).
TV shows such as CSI make forensic science look fast paced and exciting. In real
life however, it is more likely to be methodical, utilizing detailed scientific and
technical skills and increasingly sophisticated tools. It doesnt happen overnight
cases may be open for tens of years and solved decades later. It can take a long
time to put the information together.
Forensics laboratories are extremely complex and involve up to hundreds of people
to ensure everything runs quickly and efficiently. Staff ensures that evidence is
correctly booked in, prepared and stored, cleans and maintains the lab, as well as
servicing the various technical equipment and keeping it looked after. Testing
results from the evidence is useful in solving one crime, but when added to a
worldwide database, the evidence can be linked to other crimes that the suspect
may have committed. Details must be investigated methodically and cross
referenced up to many times to match and or confirm data.
A chemistry unit is present in any laboratory and is used to test samples of blood
and urine for alcohol, drugs and poisoning. Chemistry sets are also used in the
analysis of synthetic materials such medicines, dyes and stains. Specialists in the
area of chemistry also rely on gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers and
microscopes to identify chemicals.
Most universities dont have a bachelors degree in forensic science because the
job outlook can be limited for someone without graduate training. You may be
benefit from choosing a more marketable major and getting a forensic science
minor. Y our major should reflect the forensic discipline you want to work in. For
example, drug analysts should have a degree heavy in chemistry while DNA
analysts should have an emphasis on molecular biology.

If you have a criminal record, you have virtually no chance of getting a job as a
forensic scientist.
College Education will include the study of biology, chemistry, forensic pathology,
anatomy, and psychology. You will train in the classroom and in the laboratory. It
will take approximately 130 credit hours or four years for an undergraduate degree.
You can also pursue masters degree which is a two year graduate level academic
course. If you want to earn a much better salary you should be prepared to earn a
masters degree and be as knowledge as possible about the field. Depending on the
job you choose, your level of experience, and whether or not you are in
management, you will earn between 32 thousand and 120 thousand dollars.
Why should you be interested in forensic science? If you like analyzing data,
collecting evidence, examining details to find out the bigger picture, solving
crimes, and or solving puzzles-you might find it professionally rewarding to be a
forensic scientist. You will conduct many tests using logic, reason, chemistry, and
mathematics to solve problems.
Being forensic scientist is awesome because you will be able to help others by
serving justice and helping maintain quality control.
Heres a little video to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ