Individuals who work as forensic scientists apply scientific principles and methods to legal investigations. Forensic computer scientists, for instance, might search hard drives and networks for evidence that can lead to the solving of a crime, while forensic anthropologists, on the other hand, study human relationships to provide insight that helps investigators to reach informed conclusions. To get forensic scientist training, you first should determine in which field you would like to work. Enroll in an undergraduate program that enables you to learn the basics of this discipline and which prepares you for graduate education. While some forensic scientists only have undergraduate degrees, a majority of professionals in this field have master's and even PhD degrees.
For most people, forensic scientist training begins like a regular college education. It is important to find schools that you are interested in attending and in which you are qualified to enroll. In most cases, you need to hold a minimum grade point average, earn satisfactory scores on proficiency exams, and provide letters of reference from instructors or professional contacts. You should also consider practical factors, such as the price of attending a school and the location of a school.
After earning an undergraduate degree, your next step in getting forensic scientist training should be to enter a graduate or professional development program where you can learn the basics of forensic science. Most forensic scientist training occurs in academic programs designed specifically for people wishing to pursue this career path. To make sure that you are taking courses that prepare you for a graduate education in your desired field, speak to a faculty adviser, who should be familiar with various career tracks in your discipline.
To enter a graduate forensic scientist training program, it normally is essential that you have a strong academic record. You might be asked to send your transcripts to graduate programs to which you apply. It is also common to take proficiency exams, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in the Unites States. While it might be necessary to earn a satisfactory grade on this kind of exam, it often is most important to score well in sections related to your chosen areas of study. A person who would like forensic psychologist training, for example, might need to score well on writing and critical thinking portions of an exam.
Once you are hired as a forensic scientist, you can expect to receive more training. This forensic scientist training usually is specific to a job, so you might learn basic procedure and how to use common computer programs. Any further academic training might be funded by your employer.