Forensic Science Technician Training
If you would like to find work as a forensic science technician, training is important. Although some technicians are hired without a college degree, the vast majority have at least an associates degree. The trend now is for technicians to have a Bachelors or Masters degree, so if you are just getting started in your forensic science technician training you should aim for this.
Universities and Colleges Programs
There are colleges and universities all over the country that offer forensic science technician training, and some even offer this training online. If you go to the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) website at www.aafs.org you can find a list of all the programs offering a forensic science degree. I would recommend attending one that is accredited by the AAFS Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Committee (FEPAC). These are the best programs.
If you attend one of the colleges and universities accredited by FEPAC, you can expect to spend at least 5 years to obtain your forensic science technician degree. Anything less will not give you as good a grounding in the sciences as well as give time to teach forensic skills.
What You Can Expect To Learn
During your forensic science technician training you can expect to take courses in biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, cell biology, biotechnology, laboratory and environmental safety, research, genetics, forensic science, statistics, criminal justice, law, criminal testimony, chemistry, ethics, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and criminal justice. All of these courses are not included in all forensic science technician programs, but this should give you a good idea of what you types of courses you will need to take.
Many forensic science technician training programs also include an internship or research component, and all accredited programs include a lot of lab coursework to give you experience in the techniques you will need to use in forensic labs.
The accredited forensic science courses will teach you all you need to know to perform the common tasks of the job, from fingerprinting to the collection and preservation of evidence including latent fingerprints, DNA, and physical evidence to preparing crime scene reports and testifying in court. You will learn the proper lab techniques to do all the common forensic tests, including testing for DNA.
One final thing you should know before you begin forensic science technician training - you can't have any history of drug use or any legal troubles. Due to the nature of the job you will have to pass a polygraph test, a drug test, and a background check before any offer of employment.
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