AnthropologistBy Fiona McKendrick

Career Description: Anthropologists assist by constructing a biological profile of the victim. This includes estimating age, sex, stature, and ancestry as well as identifying specific characteristics, like diseases or injuries from the person’s physical remains. In addition to identifying human remains, the anthropologist analyzes injuries that happened around the time of a person's death, which may help determine how a person died. Fictional Forensic Anthropologist: Dr. Temperance "Bones" BrennanEducational Requirements: Sciences in High school are recommended but not required. Most pursue an undergraduate degree in Anthropology before specializing in physical anthropology and obtain a Masters Degree working in Forensic Anthropology.Salary Range: $40,000 to upwards of 100,000 depending on level of education.

CRIMINOLOGIST• Criminologists examine the

criminal justice system, attempt to explain criminal behaviour and suggest ways of crime reduction

• May specialize in crime prevention, work in legal fields, and social/psychological fields

• Tasks might include attending autopsies, helping to conduct crime scene investigations, perform psychological profiling or conducting other studies that help to understand criminals and their behaviour

• They may study statistics and specific cases to look for patterns in behaviour to develop theories on why people are criminals

• Another aspect is conducting research on whether the justice system is effectively reforming criminals

Maya Aharon

CRIMINOLOGISTPersonal Requirements• Analytic ability• Personal integrity• Interested in welfare, human

behaviour & working with disadvantaged groups

Education Requirements• An advanced degree in some

combination of criminology, criminal justice, sociology or psychology

• Graduate level is critical for any research position

• A Ph.D is often necessary• Relevant courses include logic,

statistics, computer science and writing

• Important high school courses include the social sciences (i.e. history, SAP), all three sciences (especially biology), maths (calculus, geometry), and a foreign language is an asset

Maya Aharon

CRIMINOLOGISTEdwin Sutherland• The author of “Principles of

Criminology,” Sutherland was a proponent of the idea that class influences crime

• Coined: “white collar criminal”• Held that criminal behaviour

comes from associating with criminals

• Other criminologists include Jane Addams (crime comes from societal ills), Robert Hare (“psychopath”), Cesare Beccaria (first to object death penalty) and Gil Grissom (CSI character)

Salary Range• Range from $40,000 to

$122,000 annually

Maya Aharon

CoronerAdam Shima

Career description

A coroner is a government official who confirms and certifies the death of an individual within a jurisdiction.

To become a coroner, the applicant must have a degree in a medical or legal field, Coroners must have had a previous career as a lawyer or physician of at least five years standing. This reflects the role of a coroner: to determine the cause of death of a deceased in cases where the death was sudden, unexpected, occurred abroad, was suspicious in any way, or happened while the person was under the control of central authority.

Becoming a Coroner How much are they paid

Coroners are paid $10.17 to $19.65 for up to four years experience. The median hourly pay for experienced coroners is $35 to 40 dollars an hour.A coroners annual salary varies from $36,403 to $67,843 a year.A coroners salary ranges from $39,000 to a maximum of $181,000 after twenty years of job experience.

How it relates to Forensics

Coroners assist detectives in determining the cause of death in an individual, which can lead them in the right direction to figure out what type of case the incident is.

DETECTIVESALARY RANGE: $40K- $123KPEOPLE IN THE CAREER

• SHERLOCK HOLMES (FICTIONAL)

• THE PINKERTONS (REAL)• PADDINGTON POLLAKY

(REAL)

CAREER DESCPRITION• GATHER FACTS FOR CRIME INVESTIGATION• COMPILE EVIDENCE BY OBSERVING SUSPECTS, INTERVIEWING WITNESSES

AND SUSPECTS, AND EXAMINING INFORMATION• IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, THEY WILL FORMALLY CHARGE A

SUSPECT WITH A CRIME.• THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS USUALLY SPECIALIZE IN

SPECIFIC CRIMES, SUCH AS HOMICIDE, DRUG TRAFFICKING OR FRAUD

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS• HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA• MILITARY/ COLLEGE EXPERIENCE (FIELD

WORK)• UNIVERSITY DEGREE (EXAMPLES)

• BACHELOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, JUSTICE OR ANYTHING SIMILAR

SKILL UTILIZATION•USE COGNITIVE AND REASONING SKILLS TO EXAMINE AND RELATE INFORMATION FOUND TO HELP DECIPHER THE CRIME

• INVESTIGATIVE, COMMUNICATIVE AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS•NEED TO BE PROFICIENT WITH THEIR COMPUTER SKILLS FOR CODE ENCRYPTION AND CLERICAL USES

RELATION TO FORENSICS[adj. ] ‘relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime’•DETECTIVES GATHER AND EXAMINE EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION PERTAINING TO SUSPECTS •CHARGE APPROPRIATE SUSBECTS IN CORRELATION WITH THE LAW

ASA KAZERANI

Accident Reconstruction Specialist• Typically reconstructs the scene of a car accident

(maps, diagrams, analysis’s od cars’ positions)• Uses data to determine how & why an accident

occurred (compare statements with the evidence)• Weather, speed of car, angles, road conditions,

human error• Ensure the victim receives a fair amount of money• Bachelor in engineering or physics• Certification to perform the reconstruction is ideal• David Liske, CPE, Accreditation Commission for

Traffic Accident Reconstruction• Salaries on average of $80,000

By Emma Toner

Explosives Technician• Job Description

– evaluate, dismantle, repair, deploy, destroy, store and detonate explosive charges to perform tasks including moving large rock bodies or structures

• Skills Needed– not rattled easily, strong hearted,

calm hands, heavy lifting, confined space maneuverability and strong math and analytical skills

• Forensics Relatability – in field work in the form of

explosive detonation– In field and lab work in the form of

analysis of explosive material for device along with how device operates

Modern IED (Improvised Explosive Device)

• Educational requirements – High school diploma, post high

school training , 4 year bachelor in engineering or contruction taking relevant courses like explosives safety, explosive ordnance identification, fuse identification, electricity, physics, demolitions and engineering

• Examples– Fictional - Al, Horatio’s friend

while disarming a bomb (CSI MIAMI)

• Salary Range – Annually around $46,370.00

AFSHAUN ZAMANBomb Scene where Explosive Technicians are in field

Forensic Entomologist• The study of insects associated with a human corpse to

determine the time of death, or whether the body was disturbed or moved after death

• In most cases it is used to determine time of death for bodies that are 72 hours or older

• There are two main methods used to determine time of death– Using age of insects present

• Using growth of maggots on the corpse can be used to determine the time of death with an accuracy of days

– Using types of insects present• Some insects are only present during certain periods of

decomposition

Cheese Flies are a type of fly that appear during protein fermentation

Luke Sirna

• Salary Range: $40 000 to $60 000• Education Requirements: A

minimum of a B.Sc.(Hon) in Biology, zoology or entomology, plus a Masters in entomology

Gil Grissom is an entomologist on CSI

Forensic Microbiologist• Forensic microbiology is the study of microorganisms in order to determine the path of

an outbreak, the identity of a criminal or the origin of a particular strain of biological weapon or contagion

• Work for law enforcement agencies, restricted to the laboratory

• Relates to forensics because they test the evidence found at crime scenes to figure out the time frame of the crime and come up with clues that will help identify the suspect.

• Forensic microbiologists burrow deep below the visible world to find biological markers hidden in the DNA of all living matter.

Salary

• High school Education: two sciences and at least one of the math's if not both.

• Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, but it is preferred to have your master's or doctorate degree in microbiology 

• Ranges anywhere between USD 36,000 to USD 90,000 annually, but depends on the education you have achieved.

Education Abigail A. Salyers

• Known worldwide as a research scientist, author and professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

• She has written many books contributing to the world of Microbiology and more specifically forensic Microbiology

• She became the first female tenured professor in microbiology at Illinois in 1983 and a full professor in 1988. While at Illinois, Abigail was named a University Scholar, Faculty Member of the Year in the College of Medicine, a member of the Center for Advanced Study and an Affiliate in the Institute for Genomic Biology.

Police Officer

Simon Kaviani

Police officer Job Description

• Providing a visible presence to deter crime and reassure the community

• Interviewing suspects, victims and witnesses• Conducting patrol duties on foot, by car and

bicycle• Preparing crime reports and presenting case

files to senior officers

Salary and educational requirements

• High school diploma (minimum) • College degree (recommended)

Rank Salary

Cadet in Training $54 000

4th Class Constable $60 500

3rd Class Constable $69 000

2nd Class Constable $78 000

1st Class Constable $86 000

Examples

Chief Wiggum The Simpsons

Theodore RooseveltNYC police commissionerUS president (1901-1904)

Hank SchraderBreaking Bad

MEDICAL EXAMINER• CAREER DESCRIPTION

– A medical examiner is a doctor who examines the bodies of people who have died suspiciously or violently to determine how and why they died. They are trained forensic pathologists that study human tissue, organs and body fluids to determine how or why they died. Medical examiners may assist in rape examinations, analysis of blood, analysis of DNA evidence and examinations of a person to document injuries.

• SKILL UTILIZATION– Critical thinking

• Be able to combine pieces of information to form conclusions.– Observant

• Notice details as well as be able to identify clues on victim that may lead to the cause of death.

– Attention to detail• Must be careful when handling the body as well as they must have a steady hand.

• HOW IT’S RELATED TO FORENSICS– Help identify the cause of death of a victim– Documents injuries

• EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS– Attain a medical degree (Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy)– Enroll in a residency program (Must complete residency in anatomic and forensic pathology to

gain practical experience in autopsies)– Must specialize in forensic pathology for fellowship program– Acquire a license and certification (must graduate from medical school and do the national

certification exam offered by American Board of Pathology)

• EXAMPLES– Dr. Alexx Woods (CSI: Miami)– Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (NCIS)– Dr. Maura Isles (Rizzoli & Isles)

• SALARY RANGE– Depends on experience, location and gender

• On average: $23,000 to $102,000

NANCY CHAI

Neutron Activation Analyst Alex Fung

● Bombard Samples with source of neutrons○ Causes samples to become radioactive○ Extremely small samples of trace elements can

be detected● Examples of Use

○ Measure presence of alkali metals released during muscle contractions

○ Detect trace amounts of minerals released by firing a gun (found on hand)

Neutron Activation Analysis● Non-destructive of sample being analyzed● Able to detect approximately 65 different elements● Detects extremely small samples (up to 0.01 parts per

billion)

Neutron Activation Analysis● Neutron Activation Analysis Operator’s Salary: $65k-

$105k● Necessary Training

○ Secondary education in physics and chemistry○ Post-secondary education in radioactive science○ Basic training in use of the instrument

■ preparing samples■ safety precautions■ proper activation

● Invented by two researchers in radiation

○ Nobel Prize winner George de Hevesy○ Dr. Hilde Levi

Psychiatrist• A psychiatrist is a medical professional that is responsible for the treatment of mental

disorders• Psychiatrists often work closely with psychologists but the main difference between the

two is that a psychiatrist can prescribe medication because they have a medical degree• Speaking, writing, listening and critical thinking are key skills to have as a psychiatrist• In the field of forensics, psychiatrists assess and treat mentally disordered offenders• Familiarity with the law is essential to their work since they are commonly involved in

the criminal justice system

Psychiatrist Continued• To be a psychiatrist, you must have

either a M.D. Or D.O. Degree, along with a four year residency and a board certification, a total of approximately 12 years of post-secondary schooling

• Examples include Alone with the Devil author and psychiatrist Dr. Ronald Markman and Dr. Leigh Sapien of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

• Salary ranges from $150,000 to $200,000 a year, although forensic psychiatrists can earn up to $600,000 a year

Ballistics Analyst• “Ballistics” is the study of projectiles in flight

• Analyze bullet fragments, shell casings, gunshot wounds and bullet holes

• Used to find if a specific gun was used in the crime or not

• Can make or break a verdict for a suspect, or narrow down possible suspects by specifying certain firearms that may have been used

• Some skills required are firearms knowledge, ballistics database familiarity, communication skills, and investigation skills

• Educational requirements would be a college degree in forensics science, criminology, or related fields like biology and chemistry

• If teaching, then a master’s or a Ph.D in criminology or forensics science is required

• Salary ranges from $67 000 a year to $84 000 a year

• Calvin Goddard is generally credited with the conception of the idea of “Forensic Ballistics”. He wrote an article in Army Ordanance, where he described his use of microscopes in firearm investigation

ToxicologistCareer DescriptionToxicologists perform scientific tests on bodily fluids and tissue samples to identify any drugs or chemicals present in the body.Relation to ForensicsIsolate and identify any substances in the body that may contribute to a crime. Substances can be alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, other chemicals, poisons, metals & gases (e.g. carbon monoxide)

Skill UtilizationManage laboratories, collaborate and share expertise and research findings with scientific and technical staff, carry out field studies and write reports

Roya Biazar

ToxicologistEducational Requirements

• High School: Biology, Chemistry and Maths

• Post Secondary: Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry) or Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science

Toxicologist Examples• Thomas Stevenson• Vince Masuka (dabbles in

toxicology among other things)

Salary Range• Depends on experience,

advanced degrees, location and industry.

Average: $51, 774 - $121, 499 per year

Roya Biazar

Trauma Surgeon • Description: Trauma surgery is among the most challenging and

intense career options in the surgical field, it involves treatment of blunt-force and penetrating injuries that are extremely severe and life-threatening

• Skills: Hand eye coordination, Steady hands, Knowledge of the human body, a licence to practice medicine, able to perform surgery without being grossed out by the human body and practice at surgery

• Relations with Forensics: Trauma surgeons deal with critical cases that come straight into the Emergency Room. These bodies can come from crime scenes or almost anywhere else. So, as Surgeons, their jobs are not only to save the persons life, but to cooperate in any way possible with detectives and police to determine the cause of the incident or even being able to recover any evidence from inside the patients body (ex: bullets, car pieces, knife tips, etc.…).

Trauma Surgeon requirements

1. High School Diploma 2. Pre-med university

degree (BSc)3. Medical Degree and

specialization as a Surgeon (8-10 years)

4. Placement in a Hospital

Trauma Surgeons

• Pay: On average Trauma Surgeons make $353,000 in the U.S. but can range anywhere from $250,000 to $500,000

• Examples: Combat Hospital (Fictional) and E.R. Surgeons

• Types: Army, Private, Public (all perform roughly the same job only in different environments)

Computer Forensics Specialist

Rebecca Formosa

What do they do?• Examine computer systems/devices (ie.

Cellphones, hard drives)• Collect, analyze & piece together data to

detect evidence of criminal activity:– Fraud within a business– Online ID theft– Civil disputes

As technology advances, more digital data is made…more room to leave computer fingerprints behind!

How can you become a Computer Forensic Specialist?!

• Taking math, computer science, science, and communication courses in high school may be helpful (ie. Admission to preferred university program)

• A University background in computer science AND forensics is ideal

• But…a background in law enforcement or IT (information technology) can get you started!

• Many varied certifications are recommended or required depending on the workplace (the more the merrier!) – Some examples: Certified Fraud

Specialist, Certified Computer Crime Investigator, Computer Forensic Technician

• Specialists must have a curious mind, good observational skills and the ability to make objective conclusions

Additional Skills & Requirements

For example: Andy Joyce• Andy Joyce works in Vancouver as a Computer

Forensic Specialist at British Columbia Securities Commission. (Computer and Network History).

• He came from a law enforcement background and continued to take university forensic courses.

• He had a starting salary of about $60,000 and has now worked to making more than $100,000 per year. (This falls in average range)

*(all info found on a Linkedin profile)