What do you do as a forensic scientist

Forensic scientists study crime scenes, run scientific tests and provide impartial evidence to be used in a court of law. They employ cutting-edge technology and scientific theory to search for clues and aid police investigations.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is an associated office at the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (DJELR) and provides a scientific analytical service in criminal investigation. Based at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, the Forensic Science Laboratory’s objective is to assist in the investigation of crime and to serve the administration of justice in an effective manner by a highly trained and dedicated staff providing scientific analysis and objective expert evidence to international standards.

Work by the laboratory is carried out mainly for the Gardai and through them for the courts. All staff employed in the laboratory are civil servants. Typically, an analyst would work closely with a scientist on particular cases and would also take responsibility for certain areas of general laboratory work. A scientist would take full responsibility for the scientific work required in a criminal case. The job thus involves analytical laboratory work using quite a wide range of instrumental techniques. The scientist would then write a report on the results for the Gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions. The scientist would frequently present the work orally to a court and defend that work under legal cross-examination. Some time could also be spent attending at crime scenes and lecturing to Gardaí on the work of the laboratory.

An Garda Síochána undertake certain types of forensic work, such as crime scene examination and fingerprint detection and identification. To get involved in these areas a person must first join the Gardaí and apply for any vacancy in the relevant section when it arises.

The equivalent (FSL) in Northern Ireland is Forensic Science Northern Ireland although job opportunities are rare.

Work activities

• Examining Items submitted to the laboratory for the presence of body fluids, skin flakes, hairs and fibres, as well as firearm residue, glass fibres, paint and other traces to be used as eveidence.
• Subjecting body fluids to DNA profiling in an attempt to determine the source.
• Attending crime scenes with members of the CSI teams from the Technical Bureau.
• Examining and analysing seized substances that are thought to contravene the Misuse of Drugs Act.
• Data recording, report writing and information storage.
• Use of IT to catalogue evidence.

Work conditions

Travel: scientists attend crime scenes with members of the CSI teams from the Garda Technical Bureau. They are often required to present the work orally to a court and defend that work under legal cross-examination.
Working hours: regular laboratory/office hours but early starts and late finishes may also be required. In addition, weekend, shift work, and on-call work may be required.
Location: only at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
Opportunities for self-employment: not possible.

Typical employers

Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) - an associated office at the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (DJELR).

Career development

Opportunities exist for analysts to advance to senior forensic analyst grade. Promotion for grade III forensic scientist is to grade II forensic scientist then on to grade I team manager. Additional senior positions also exist up to director general.

Other relevant degree subjects

Of particular relevance will be laboratory experience gain from disciplines such as:

• Analytical science
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Forensic science
• Molecular biology.

Postgraduate study

Not a normal requirement. However, a postgraduate qualification could be of benefit such as Strathclyde University’s postgraduate diploma or masters degree in forensic science. Kings College London, among others, also offers a masters degree in forensic science.

Specific entry requirements

Good laboratory skills are essential. Normal colour vision is required.

Training

Practical experience of a quality control laboratory is valuable for those seeking entry to this sector and will increase chances of gaining employment.

With experience, you could move into management and direct other forensics staff as a forensics manager or casework examiner.

You could also work as a reporting scientist, acting as an expert witness in court.

Forensic science is the application of science to the law by gathering and examining evidence to be used in a legal case.

What does a forensic scientist do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

The majority of a forensic scientist’s work is laboratory-based; they examine traces of substances such as blood, hairs, textile fibres, paint, glass, explosives and drugs in an attempt to associate or disassociate suspects with victims or crime scenes. Other responsibilities and areas of forensics can include:

• searching for and collecting evidence at the scenes of crimes
• compiling written reports
• gathering evidence
• verifying the authenticity of documents
• testing fluid and tissue samples for the use of drugs or poisons
• analysing tool and tyre marks
• giving and defending evidence in court
• recovering data from electronic equipment such as laptops, computers and mobile phones
• using appropriate analytical techniques such as chromatography, electron microscopy and DNA profiling

The work can require attending unpleasant and disturbing crime scenes in all weathers.

Typical employers of forensic scientists

Forensic scientists are employed by specialist private consultancies, police forces , universities and government departments including the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory, the Centre for Applied Science and Technology, and Forensic Science Northern Ireland.

There is strong competition for the small number of vacancies available each year. Consequently, it may be necessary to enter the profession at a junior level (such as assistant forensic scientist). Vacancies are advertised online, in local, national and regional newspapers and in scientific journals such as New Scientist . Speculative applications are advisable.

Qualifications and training required

To become a forensic scientist, a degree in forensic science or another science subject is necessary. Postgraduate study in forensic science is often required, especially after studying a general science subject at undergraduate level. A range of degree courses are accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Read our article on scientific postgraduate study to explore your different options.

What skills are needed for a forensic scientist?

What is the most common task a forensic scientist performs?