FORENSIC SCIENTIST 1

Abstract

Forensic Scientists collect and examine evidence from a crime scene to help a criminal

investigation. The median salary in Minnesota is $78,200, which is higher than the national

average of $61,930. Forensics is a very competitive field; the current employment number in

Minnesota is 162 people and there are 23 annual job openings. This job requires a lot of patience,

as it may take up to two years to get into the field. The growth outlook of this job is 17 percent,

making it a profession with expanding opportunities. There are many different things someone

may study within this field as well, such as fingerprints, ballistics, DNA, etc. Someone may also

collect the evidence at the crime scene and send it to the laboratory. Some occupations may

include a forensic nurse, criminologist, forensic medical examiner, or forensic DNA analyst.

Some potential employers in Minnesota include Eurofins USA Clinical Diagnostics, Labcorp, or

Piper Companies. To become a Forensic Scientist, one must have a minimum of a bachelor's

degree in any science field; the most common ones are biology, chemistry, or forensics.

Additionally, one needs to pass a proficiency exam to ensure that they are capable of working in

a lab alone and can examine the evidence correctly.

Keywords: forensics, laboratory, scientist