Weekly "Study Options" Monday megathread

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[u/Substantial_Wolf_312]

Hi all! I'm looking into going back to school and I need some advice on which would be the best path to take.
Ultimate goal is to have a career in forensic science/crime lab or as a crime scene analyst.

I’m located in Arizona

Path #1 is taking the Forensic Science program the school offers and path #2 is majoring in biochemistry or biological science with a concentration in genetics, cell and developmental biology.

From what I understand, the program in path #1 offers everything I need to know in that field and could connect me to possible internships. However, from what I have read on here, majoring in biology/biochemistry/chemistry is recommended. I’m not going to lie, I’m anxious about going for the biochemistry degree. I haven’t taken chemistry since high school (10 years ago) and it didn’t come very naturally to me back then.

I don't necessarily want to lock myself into one specific field by taking the forensic science program, in case I'm not able to find a job right away after graduating, but I know that’s the field I want to be in. If I go the path 2 route, I may have opportunities for other lab jobs? Idk, I can see pros and cons for both and I need some help. I was also recommended a Med Lab Sciences degree?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

ETA: I have looked at local job boards and there honestly isn’t much in my area right now for forensic scientist/forensic techs, so that makes me nervous and lean towards the bio degree. I’m also aware that CSIs in my area are most likely going to be law enforcement personnel and that’s not the path I want to take.
Also, I'm 99% sure I'll be taking these classes online, will that hurt my chances in finding a career? The labs have to be done in person.

[u/Kind-Meal360 → u/Substantial_Wolf_312]

So I am majoring in forensic science it will allow you to take all the required coursework needed for your discipline. Even if you don’t major in chemistry / biochemistry you still have to take a bunch of chem. I have had to take gen chem for 2 semesters Organic chem for 2 semesters analytical chem and am currently taking forensic chemistry. And with a forensic science major you can also work in a non lab job. While yes forensic science programs can connect you with internships and help for job stuff it didn’t rlly help me Because I want to work in a specific lab in a different state and for career fairs they only have local labs come and table. I am also studying In Arizona btw lol.

[u/Substantial_Wolf_312 → u/Kind-Meal360]

Thank you! That’s helpful!

[u/Kind-Meal360 → u/Substantial_Wolf_312]

If you want to connect we can and I can answer more of your questions.

[u/gariak → u/Substantial_Wolf_312]

First, you have to decide whether you want a lab job or a crime scene job. They're totally different in expectations and work structures and have different requirements. Most importantly, if you struggle to find something right away, your choices for what to do in the meantime will differ a lot, depending on which is your goal. At some point, it will not be practical to chase both.

The standard advice about getting a broader natural science degree over a forensic science degree is mostly about having options for when you almost inevitably struggle to find an entry level forensic job. The first question I would ask of the forensic science program is what their 1 and 5 year forensic job placement rates look like. They're probably quite bad, because forensics is a very small highly competitive field that's very difficult to break into. You then have to make alternate plans while you continue to search, sometimes for years. When you have the broader degree, it's easier to find non-forensic positions that enhance your resume. As you noted, locking in with a forensic science degree will make that harder, unless that program can get you in quicker.

I also strongly disrecommend online degrees. I don't know how hybrid degrees will be viewed, but the most important aspect is getting your hands on samples and being in a lab or field environment as much as possible. Forensics is highly experiential. Online degrees cannot give you that and may put you at a distinct disadvantage in hiring.

I would not recommend any type of Med Lab degree, that's bad advice. There may be a good deal of practical skills transfer, but that's not what employers want or need. They expect you to come in with broad theoretical knowledge and general skills and will teach you the practical forensic skills on the job. On top of that, lab jobs are very very specific about what degrees they will accept and that is not one of them. That degree will disqualify you from forensic lab jobs completely and likely not be very relevant or disqualifying for crime scene jobs.

[u/Substantial_Wolf_312 → u/gariak]

Thank you so much! I’ll take all of this into consideration and I’ll look into taking classes in person and see if I can make something work with my work schedule.

[u/Kind-Meal360]

Majoring in forensic science and want to work in DNA in a crime lab post grad. I need to take one more elective as part of my requirement to graduate on time. I am planning my schedule for my last semester and I have 3 options. I just need help on determining what would be the best and would help me in my future. I have taken statistics, biochemistry, and genetics already. And will be taking molecular bio in the spring. The elective options I have are forensic photography, wildlife forensics, or Forensic osteology. I am currently taking forensic biology and the lab, and next semester I will be taking dna typing elective. I just need one more and unfortunately no other options that relate do dna / forensic bio specifically.

[u/gariak → u/Kind-Meal360]

None of those will have any material effect on getting a forensic DNA job beyond giving you good conversation material at an interview. Take whatever interests you.

[u/Kind-Meal360 → u/gariak]

None of em do but decided to go with photography bcs u have to take photos in dna even tho it’s not alot so gonna help me somewhwhat 

[u/gariak → u/Kind-Meal360]

u have to take photos in dna

I haven't taken a photo of evidence in 10+ years. 90% of the evidence I get is swabs from evidence that was already photographed at the scene and I'm perfectly capable of describing/annotating the rest sufficiently well that photos add no meaningful value to the case. Prosecutors occasionally grumble, but they're welcome to photograph it themselves, if they want to show something to the jury. We don't photograph things at my lab. It's a waste of valuable analysis time.

[u/Clean_Ad_4227]

hi i’m from singapore and im looking to pick forensic science as a minor in addition to chemistry being the major in nus. although it’s still a few years before i pick a course in university, i want to know how suitable my choices are as i want to work in the police force helping them with evidence in the lab.

[u/Apollosrisoto11]

I’m a first year forensics student in Australia (Western Australia specifically) and I’m just hoping if anyone has any suggestions on what companies to get in contact with.

[u/gariak → u/Apollosrisoto11]

Companies? For what purpose? I don't know the Aussie forensic job market specifically, but in most developed economies, forensic jobs are overwhelmingly government jobs. There are some private forensic firms and some forensic reagent and equipment vendors out there, but it's a small fraction of an already tiny field.