Thread: Are there any Criminalistics in here that can give me info?

Hi here's my story... cliffs at the end

Ok... So right now, I am an elementary education major with a minor in spanish. Lately though, I have been assessing my future decisions and have found that I did not thoroughly think them through before I started college. I am a sophomore in college and am now wanting to leave elementary education and get into forensic science. My main interest is Criminalistics. What I'm most interested in and the main reason I joined this forum is because I'm in search of any information about what the job is like from someone who actually works in that environment every day... instead of trying to decipher job descriptions from googled websites. I have gone my left just letting my decisions be made by other people and have realized that teaching is not my calling... and I'm taking action now opposed to waiting until it's too late. Soo any information or resources or input is much appreciated

-el ed major now
-want to be forensic scientist (specializing in criminalistics)
-asking for information from anyone who has any experience in criminalistics
-anything is appreciated

You might think of taking classes in physical anthropology. I know of several grad students and professors that find themselves in high demand by county medical examiners to do facial reconstructions, age-at-time-of-death assessments, profiling of human remains to determine sex, age, stature, ancestry, where/how they lived, etc.

There's a wealth of information available on this sort of thing (check out Amazon and Google Books).

Your other option might include getting a bachelor in social science and keeping your options "more" open. That way you get a foundational knowledge in the field and are free to change your mind about which area you want to take on later.

"Criminalistics" basically just means "forensic science." Is there a specific area that interests you? Chemistry? DNA? Prints? Etc.

Hello, I am new to the forum, but I can tell you that in order to get hired for almost any forensic science position, you will need a strong background in biology, chemistry and mathematics. The best way to go about this career is to major in either bio or chem as an undergrad, and then go on to take a forensic certification course, or go to grad school for forensic science. Some colleges offer an undergrad degree in forensic science, but if you do not understand the mathematical formulas and lab work that is involved, then you will not get hired. You will also need to intern in a lab for several years as well. You should contact your local PD, or state crime lab to see what they require in terms of schooling as each entity can have different requirements.

Good luck!!