When one thinks of the term forensics, it is common to associate it in legal terms. Forensic specialists examine evidence or collect information about a specific event, whether a crime or accident, and use their expertise to draw a conclusion. This information is shared with law enforcement and any other legal professionals involved in a case or investigation.
Today, the field of forensics has been expanded to cover so many specialized areas that you can now apply your interest in the law with a number of other fields. Below is a look into the various areas of forensic specialties.
Today's economic downturn along with the Bernard Madoff investment scandal has heightened awareness about corporate bankruptcies, embezzlement, bribery, financial misappropriations and securities fraud. The focus on financial crimes has lead to an increase in demand for forensic accountants to detect illegal financial activity. Beliefs are that these crimes are expected to increase. But with today's computer technology and surveillance technology, tracking down and discovery of these crimes is leveling the playing field.
If you have an aptitude for math and an interest in law, then combining the two may lead you to a career as a forensic accountant. Also known as forensic auditors, the field involves investigating and interpreting white collar crimes such as securities fraud, embezzlement, contract disputes, bankruptcies, and criminal financial transactions.
Forensic accountants utilize their knowledge of accounting and finance with law and investigative techniques to uncover illegal activities. Many mid-sized and large accounting firms have added forensic accounting departments, recognizing the growing need for these specialists. Even smaller accounting firms are either adding a forensic accountant or outsourcing to sole practitioners in this field.
There are many categories that forensic accountants may be engaged in including calculating and quantifying losses associated with company acquisitions, professional negligence claims against other professionals (financial brokers, investors) , marital and family law valuations as well as matters relating to criminal activity in the aftermath of fraud.
If you are looking to work in the field of forensics, obtaining a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification. This requires a bachelor's degree, 2 years relevant experience and passing a four part examination. Work experience may be substituted for the educational experience. Median annual earnings of wage and salary accountants and auditors were $54,630 in May 2006. The middle half of the occupation earned between $42,520 and $71,960. The top 10 percent earned more than $94,050, and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $34,470.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, forensic nursing is expected to grow steadily over the next decade with job opportunities rising by approximately 19 percent by 2012.
So what exactly is a forensic nurse? These are active registered nurses who work with law enforcement in investigating crimes such as assault, abuse, accidental death and sexual crimes. They may conduct DNA analysis, weapons testing, examining fiber, hair, tissue or body fluid substances. Responsibilities may include collection of clinical evidence, determination or origin of the trauma, evaluating the victim's injuries and recommendations for rehabilitating the criminals.
Forensic nurses can be found working in hospitals, law firms, psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, community health centers and public health departments.
To work in this field, you must be a registered nurse. That requires ongoing education courses every two years. If working as a forensic nurse, there are continuing education classes in forensic s that result in earning a certification. There are also a few schools of nursing that now offer forensic nursing as part of the undergraduate study resulting in a degree as a registered nurse with a certificate in forensics.
Salaries for forensic nursing start at around $26 per hour and can be as high as $100 per hour depending on location, education, experience and responsibilities.
If you are looking to combine your interest in the law and protecting victims of crimes, then you will find this fast-growing field both rewarding and captivating.
Another growing field, forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the criminal system. It crosses heavily into criminal law as many forensic psychologists are expected to be able to testify in court. They may be called upon to assess a defendant's ability to stand trial or to assess the state of mind of a defendant.
They may also provide sentencing recommendations, courses of treatment, assessing the future risk of a defendant or evaluating and determining the credibility of witnesses.
And, not that dissimilar to depictions shown on television in such shows as Criminal Minds, forensic psychologists work with law enforcement personnel in profiling criminals and aiding in jury selection.
To work in this field, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology with an emphasis on studies related to forensic psychology. This will need to be followed up with a master's degree and potentially a doctorate degree in forensic psychology. Today, all of these can be earned online.
Median salaries for forensic psychologists vary by years of experience with those with less than one year earning just under $50,000 and those with 10 or more years earning a median annual salary of $77,120.
The above mentioned specialties are just three of many opportunities that are available in the field of forensics. A few other specialties include forensic toxicologists, forensic social workers, forensic pathologists, forensic biologists and chemists and several more.
For an overview of jobs and opportunities, visit www.bls.gov.