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King College > Academics > Schools > School of Arts and Sciences
> Forensic Science
Forensic Sciences
If you like science and you want a career where no two
days are alike, this major could be what you’re looking for. If you pursue this
major, you could find yourself working in many areas besides what you see on
CSI. The scientist’s job is research, both in the laboratory and at crime scenes
to find out the facts of the cases before it ever reaches a courtroom. In fact,
a good forensic scientist can keep cases from ever going to trial. Some of the
major careers included in this field are:
- Criminalistics
- Engineering Sciences
- Jurisprudence
- Medical examiner
- Odontology
- Pathology/Biology
- Physical Anthropology
- Questioned Documents
- Toxology
A forensic science major can lead to a rewarding career where the love of
science can be applied to the good of society, public health and public safety.
Because of the extreme breadth of skills a forensic scientist needs, the course
of study at King in this major will include ethics, law, statistics, psychology,
communications, biology, chemistry and mathematics. You’ll also learn about the
scientific method, statistics and how to make courtroom presentations. The
courses will also prepare you to pursue your choice of graduate programs in
forensics where you can become a medical examiner, psychological profiler or
forensic engineer. If you want to learn more about Forensic Science than what
you see on TV and the movies, click here: www.aafs.org
Career Opportunities
The Forensic Science major provides the student with a number of career
options, including graduate school, and medical or dental school. Forensic
scientists work in crime laboratories, forensic laboratories, police
departments, medical examiner/coroner offices, hospitals, government agencies,
and private laboratories. Increasingly, the type of work forensic scientists are
involved with is expanding—crime scene technicians, forensic molecular
biologists, toxicologists, crime scene analysts, and medico-legal death
investigators are just a few of the options available. Forensic scientists
investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Often, they
specialize in areas such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, performing
tests on weapons or substances such as fiber, hair, tissue, or body fluids to
determine significance to the investigation. They also prepare reports to
document their findings and the laboratory techniques used, and may provide
information and expert opinion to investigators. When criminal cases come to
trial, forensic scientists often provide testimony, as expert witnesses, on
specific laboratory findings by identifying and classifying substances,
materials, and other evidence collected at the crime scene.
Required Coursework
Academic Catalog: (To download this Acrobat PDF: Windows OS > Right click; MAC OS > Control
click)
2007-2008 King College Academic Catalog
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