Forensic Science

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From high-profile murder cases to accidental car collisions, destructive house fires to batches of contaminated heroin, forensic science has an important role to play in the criminal justice system. But a degree in forensics could also prepare you for a wide range of other careers.

If you’ve got an inquiring mind, a strong stomach and a shelf full of CSI and Law and Order DVD box sets, then you might be thinking about a future in forensic science. Of course, a real job in forensics doesn’t bear that much resemblance to the roles depicted in TV dramas. But many of the techniques employed on television shows mirror those used by real life forensic investigators, such as DNA profiling, plant biology, ballistics, toxicology and fingerprint analysis.

By applying scientific knowledge and analysis to crime and accident scenes and suspicious deaths, forensic scientists can investigate causes and help to find answers to crime-related problems. As a forensic scientist, one day you could be in the lab looking at how a substance decays over time, the next might see you in court giving evidence to a judge and jury in a burglary trial and, by the end of the week, you might be examining chemicals to identify the starting point of a fire. It’s a varied career with lots of opportunities to work on interesting projects.

INVESTIGATING THE OPTIONS
Some people enter forensic science careers after training in chemistry, but many individuals entering the profession are now opting for specialised degrees to give them the skills they’ll need for this field of work. There’s a wide range of course options available across Scotland’s universities, such as forensic science with law, forensic anthropology, chemistry with forensic studies and applied bioscience with forensic investigation. All of these courses are scientifically focused, usually leading to a BSc (Bachelor of Science degree). The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen is the only university in Scotland to offer a course accredited by the Forensic Science Society, and Associate Head of the School of Life Sciences, Dr Andrew Morrisson, told us: “The FSS is the professional body that all practitioners belong to, so in a sense that gives us a seal of approval in terms of the curriculum, the staff and the facilities.” Applicants for their BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science are required to have four Bs at Higher level, including chemistry plus maths or one other science subject.

As well as being good at science, particularly chemistry, applicants for forensic science courses need to have effective communication skills so they can explain complex scientific concepts in layman’s terms, and stand up in court to defend their work – additional skills training on this is usually provided as part of the course. But that’s not all universities are looking for. Dr Ciaran Ewins, a senior lecturer at the University of Paisley explains: “We’re looking for applicants with chemistry and biology Highers, people who are good at science and curious about the world around them – they want to understand things, to analyse things.”

HANDS–ON TEACHING
Universities offering degrees in forensics use laboratories to recreate cases and teach students specific techniques. Equipment available in these labs might include mass spectrometers (which analyse and measure the structure and composition of compounds), specialist microscopes, chromatographs (which identify what different materials are made up of) and DNA analysers. Robert Gordon University offers well-equipped, modern labs and a forensic examination suite, as Dr Morrisson explains: “We’ve got scene of crime laboratories where we can investigate crime scenes, forensic imaging labs with sophisticated equipment for locating and identifying evidence, a big chemical analysis lab where we can analyse things like drugs, explosives, fire debris and toxicology samples, and a DNA profiling facility which is exactly the same equipment as the police have. We really encourage hands-on work, and that helps our graduates, who are known for being comfortable with sophisticated high-tech equipment because they get lots of time on it.”

Students studying forensics courses at the University of Abertay enjoy access to a scenes of crime facility which recreates an office complex, a pub and a house, plus a special glass area where break-ins can be simulated. It’s also home to the Tayside Faculty of Procurators and Solicitors Law Library, which gives students the opportunity to access the same case reports and learning facilities as legal professionals and the police.

Class sizes on many forensic science courses are small, for example Robert Gordon University takes 40 students each year, and the University of Paisley’s course has classes of around 25 students. You’ll be taught using lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops – some of which be delivered by practising forensic scientists to give you a taste of their work. Exams, assignments, lab reports and presentations are the main assessment methods used on courses.

WHAT WILL IT LEAD TO?
Forensic science graduates can enter the profession directly after graduation; in Scotland this usually involves employment with a local police force. However, because a degree in this area opens up so many opportunities, the number of graduates that go into forensic science practice is quite small. Other fields that forensic science graduates enter include work with the Home Office, in the petroleum, electronic, chemical, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries, or in hospitals and public analysts’ labs. You may find yourself working in quality assurance in food production, carrying out accident investigations for insurance companies, or working in drug research, Customs and Excise or environmental protection, to name a few. There are also opportunities in teaching and research.

If you’re interested in taking a course that will give you a breadth of scientific knowledge and great employment prospects, forensic science is definitely worth investigating. Just remember, it’s not all like what you see on TV, as Dr Ewins comments: “Students have to learn that real forensic science isn’t necessarily what you see on CSI but I think, in the end, they enjoy the reality more than the fiction.”

A FUTURE FORENSIC SCIENTIST
Avril Muir is in her second year of a forensic science degree at the University of Paisley. The course has involved a lot of chemistry, including classical and molecular genetics and organic and analytical science. As part of her forensic science modules this year, 19-year-old Avril is studying probability, evidence, Scots law and crime scene investigation.

Having always planned to go into a science-based degree, Avril opted for forensics on the basis of the university’s open day. She has found the course interesting so far, saying: “I’ve really enjoyed the crime scene investigation stuff, it makes a change from the first year which was very chemistry based.” At the University of Paisley, students have the option of undertaking a sandwich year. If Avril decides to do this, she can go on a paid year-long placement in industry between years three and four of the course, giving her a taste of real-life scenarios and providing the opportunity to apply the skills she’s learned to professional practice.

FIND OUT MORE

Forensic Science Society
01423 506 068
www.forensic-science-society.org.uk

University of Abertay
01382 308 000
www.abertay.ac.uk

University of Paisley
0141 848 3000
www.paisley.ac.uk

Robert Gordon University
01224 262 000
www.rgu.ac.uk

UCAS
0870 1122 211
www.ucas.com

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