Intrigued by movies, TV shows and books portraying crime scenes, murder and mayhem? Or maybe you’ve wondered what's involved in the preparation of the dead for burial. A career in forensics, crime scene investigations, or mortuary sciences might just be your thing.
These jobs are physically and mentally demanding and require dedication, respect for the law and sensitivity for others. Forensics, says Detective Bill Gibbens of the Austin, Texas, police department, is “the application of science in the administration of justice.” With a career in forensics, you might find yourself working in a laboratory, at an actual crime scene, in an office or teaching at a university. Gibbens lists some of the areas of specialization within forensics: latent print comparison, firearm and toolmark examinations, narcotics analysis and photography. You could also become a criminalist, wild-life forensic scientist or facial reconstructionist.
If you’re considering going into forensics, get a bachelor’s degree in the sciences. Some careers will require advanced degrees or police academy training. “Most agencies now require a college degree, and the degree is very specific to the discipline in some cases,” says Gibbens. While forensics is a competitive field, Gibbens says there are opportunities available. “Check out local agencies. Go on ride-alongs, tours and ask about internship programs,” he suggests. Crime Scene Investigation “The searching for and collection of multiple types of evidence (at a crime scene) that would assist in (an) investigation” is what crime scene investigation (CSI) is all about, explains Gibbens. Walking, stooping, crawling, kneeling, climbing and pushing and pulling objects—careers in CSI are physically and mentally demanding.
In a CSI career, you’ll identify and describe people, places, things and crime scenes by sketching, writing reports and testifying in courtrooms. You can become a fingerprint technician, crime scene investigator or evidence technician. Try studying crime scene reconstruction, evidence search and collection, bullet trajectory and bloodstain pattern analysis. Some positions require a four-year college degree in science while others require only a high school diploma. You may be a sworn-in police officer or a civilian, depending on the job requirements. “A person must be ethical, hardworking, articulate, a good writer and communicator, fast learner, able to work through methods and thought processes, flexible, be able to prioritize and handle very stressful situations,” Gibbens says.
Mortuary science is “the study of the disposition of a deceased,” says E. David Ladd, an assistant professor in the department of mortuary science at Wayne State University. “It involves the preparation of the body, the funeral arrangements on behalf of the family and the final disposition of the deceased.” You will find many career options that relate to the mortuary science field, such as crematorium worker, embalming fluid manufacturer, hearse driver and technician for eye and ear banks. Educational and training requirements vary. Many positions in the field call for certification and a degree. “(Students) learn the technical aspects of preparing the deceased for a funeral and to assist the family during the emotional impact of the death,” Ladd says. “Most states require a licensed funeral director to be competent in all aspects required to facilitate the disposition of the deceased.”
As the population grows, so does the need for funeral service professionals. With more than 22,000 funeral homes in the United States, there are many positions available. “Until science can eliminate death as one of the constants in our lives, the proper, ethical and required disposition of the deceased will always provide a personally satisfying career opportunity,” Ladd says. If you don’t faint at the thought of seeing a dead body, are a caring person who can be sensitive to others’ grief and respect different faiths and cultures, you may find your calling within the noble mortuary science profession.
