Forensic Scientist Job Description, Roles/Responsibilities and Qualifications

Forensic Scientist job description: Read about the Forensic Scientist job description in this article. You will also find out all you need to know about the roles/responsibilities of a Forensic Scientist.InformationGuideNigeria

Forensic scientists examine evidence from crimes using analytical and scientific techniques and prepare legal statements that summarize the findings for court cases.

A forensic scientist is someone who examines and analyzes evidence in order to aid the prosecution in legal proceedings. Forensic scientists provide assistance in the process of performing post-mortem investigations, analyze blood spatter patterns, detect compounds such as narcotics in bodily fluids and tissue, and conduct drug testing on athletes.

Forensic scientists collect and analyze evidence from crime victims, cars, and crime scenes. They conduct scientific data analysis, and their findings may aid in the conviction or exoneration of a person accused of a crime. Criminalists and crime lab analysts are other terms for forensic scientists. Almost everyone in this sector works for federal, state, or municipal law enforcement or investigative agencies.

As a forensic scientist, sometimes called a forensic science technician, you will work on scientific investigations that help with legal cases. Sometimes you will find hard facts that can prove innocence or guilt.JAMB Form

Working as a Forensic Scientist necessitates being there at the crime scene and providing appropriate insights to locate clues. This includes responding to a crime scene on short notice and reviewing it with your forensic knowledge. A Forensic Scientist’s job demands you to sometimes lead your team and guide them to always look for the most significant things on a crime scene. You may have to work individually on a few situations where you must create technical reviews concerning the crime.

The majority of forensic science technicians’ work takes place in a laboratory, where they examine the evidence that was gathered by investigators. Technicians in forensic science need to have a positive relationship with the investigators who collect evidence at crime scenes as well as with other law enforcement officials who do evidence gathering. Forensic science technicians are frequently required to provide testimony as witnesses in legal proceedings so that they can explain the findings of their investigations.Forensic Scientist Job

In addition to working in police laboratories, forensic science technicians may also find employment with coroners or in morgues.

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Responsibilities of Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists’ work is primarily laboratory-based; they analyse traces of substances such as blood, hair, textile fibers, paint, glass, explosives, and drugs in an attempt to link or dissociate suspects with victims or crime scenes. Other forensic tasks and areas of expertise may include:

1. Responding to crime sites to conduct assessments and investigations.
2. Photographing and videotaping crime scenes
3. Making notes while identifying and gathering tangible evidence.
4. Attending autopsies to observe, collect evidence, and take photographs.
5. Making sketches of criminal scenes
6. In the laboratory, evidence is being processed.
7. Creating reports for court proceedings and testifying as an expert.
8. Event reconstruction and explanation
9. Supervising and coaching less experienced employees
10. Upkeep and testing of equipment to maintain its effectiveness.
11. With your insights and data, you may provide assistance and training to less experienced employees.
12. You will be recreating everything in order to help others understand what happened and how it happened.
13. Taking photos and videos at the crime scene to better grasp the issue

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Roles of Forensic Scientist

• searching for and gathering evidence at crime scenes
• compiling written reports
• collecting evidence
• document authenticity verification
• testing fluid and tissue samples for drug or poison usage
• examining tool and tire marks
• providing and defending testimony in court
• data recovery from electronic devices such as laptops, computers, and mobile phones
• chromatography, electron microscopy, and DNA profiling are examples of acceptable analytical techniques.
• Cooperate with the detectives at the scene of the crime.
• Handle crime scene evidence
• Put the evidence into categories and order it.
• Analyze evidence
• Present your findings.
• Document findings
• Give your account in court.
• You will be providing expert forensic insights in court, and you must have prior expertise doing so.
• The polygraph examination has been completed.
• A proper criminal background check is also required to be eligible for the position of Forensic Scientist.

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Job qualifications / skills

1. A bachelor’s degree in forensic science, natural science, or a closely related discipline is required.
2. 3+ years of forensic laboratory technical experience
3. Expert witness evidence in a court of law is something I’ve done before.
4. Expert at analyzing bloodstain patterns.
5. Expert at crime scene reconstruction.
6. Completion of a criminal background investigation and polygraph examination.
7. Undaunted by unpleasant tasks, such as those performed at serious and significant crime scenes.
8. A current driver’s license.
9. capable of traveling.20 Best Android Tablets and their Prices in Nigeria
10. Available to work overtime, weekends, and public holidays.

Forensic Scientist Skills & Competencies

Forensic scientists need a variety of talents in addition to their scientific knowledge and analytical abilities in order to be successful in their jobs. These skills include the following:

Communication:

In order to effectively communicate their findings with other forensic science professionals and in legal settings, forensic science technicians need to have strong oral and written communication skills. In addition to this, they need to work effectively together with the investigators at the crime site and the other law enforcement officers.

Problem Solving:

The majority of the work consists of applying scientific approaches in order to resolve issues and link various puzzle pieces gleaned from a crime scene. Conclusions are rarely going to be evident, thus forensic science technicians need to be very thorough when going through the material.

Critical Thinking:

Before arriving at a decision, those who work in forensic science must investigate everything and rule out every other possibility.Npower Recruitment

Attention to Detail:

The ability to see minute particulars and distinguish between nuances is essential for analyzing the data. In addition, the collection and categorization of evidence must be carried out in accordance with specific rules, so that no evidence may be called into doubt on the grounds that it was mistreated.

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Forensic Scientist Salary Structure in USA

How much money can one expect to make working in forensic science?

As of the 27th of October in 2022, the normal compensation range for a forensic scientist is between $63,649 and $77,843. However, the average salary for this profession is $69,728. A person’s education level, certifications, supplementary talents, and length of time spent working in their field are just some of the crucial aspects that can have a significant impact on the salary ranges they can expect.

Types of Forensic Scientists

The following is a list of many sorts of forensic scientists.

1. Fingerprint technician
2. Evidence technician
3. Crime scene technician
4. Pathologist assistant
5. Autopsy technician11 Best Lawn Mowers in Nigeria and Price
6. Forensic specialist
7. Forensic scientist
8. Forensics manager
9. Forensic accountant

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Conclusion:

We hope you have success applying this knowledge. You can choose whether or not to enter this field. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, let us know in the comments area.WAEC Result

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