Graduates of forensic science are in great demand, both in the field of forensic investigation and in other areas that require an inquisitive, scientific, and legal mind.
Options for employment
The following jobs are directly connected to your degree:
- Crime scene investigator
- Detective
- Forensic scientist
- Analytical chemist
- Biomedical scientist
- Scientific laboratory technician
- Toxicologist
The following are examples of jobs where your degree would be useful:
- Border force officer
- Forensic computer analyst
- Science writer
- Secondary school teacherFurther education teacher
- Higher education lecturer
- Police officer
Don't limit your employment search to the occupations mentioned here; many firms accept applications from graduates with any degree topic.
Experience in the workplace
It's critical that you obtain some laboratory experience to demonstrate that you have the requisite abilities, such as precision and attention to detail, as well as understanding of laboratory methods.
Due to the delicate nature of the task, work experience is more likely to be found in a scientific or hospital laboratory than in a forensic context.
Working for the police, such as as a special constable, is another wonderful alternative since it will provide you significant insight into police work and the function of forensics. You might also be able to get internships with smaller companies that include some laboratory work. These occupations may be unpaid at first, but they may lead to compensated work in the future. Look for job openings and learn more about internships and work experience.
Employers
Because the government outsources the majority of its forensic work, career possibilities are mostly found in private businesses. Police support departments, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), notably the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Exploring the strong linkages between academic departments and companies may frequently lead to opportunities, so check with your university for such contacts.
Skills for your CV
Studying forensic science provides laboratory-specific abilities such as:
- analytical and interpretative skills
- a methodical approach
- attention to detail
- patience and concentration, as laboratory work can be routine and detailed.
Some abilities can be transferred, such as:
Presentation abilities, since you will need to be a strong verbal and written communicator, for example while producing court reports, as well as teamwork and working independently. Personal attributes such as a resilient mindset may be beneficial because some of the job is stressful and unpleasant. It's possible that you'll be requested to work odd hours, so being adaptable is a good idea.
Further study
Masters degrees in forensic science, molecular biology, or fire investigation are common postgraduate studies. Drug, perfume, or DNA analyses, as well as terrorism, are all possibilities for doctoral study. As job rivalry heats up, a relevant Masters degree or PhD can greatly increase your career prospects. It's worth noting, though, that certain courses are more difficult to fund and need a greater degree of intellectual competence. See Masters degrees and search postgraduate programmes in forensic science for more information on additional study and to locate a course that interests you.
What do graduates in forensic science do?
The top employment held by forensic science graduates employed in the United States fifteen months after graduation is laboratory technician (9 percent). Among the top ten positions held by forensic science graduates are chemical scientists, biological scientists, biochemists, and biomedical scientists, as well as scientific, engineering, and manufacturing technicians.
| Destination | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employed | 65.7 |
| Further study | 10 |
| Working and studying | 8.2 |
| Unemployed | 9.3 |
| Other | 6.8 |