The Forensic Science Education Blog

Although police officers depend on forensic science to be able to accurately solve cases, not every city truly embraces forensic scientists as full members of the investigation team. Fortunately, some of the best police departments in the US are making aggressive moves to increase the access that officers have to skilled forensic professionals.

According to the APA, forensic psychology is “the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena” and the very breadth of this definition helps to explain why there are so many different opportunities and paths in the field.

From the hacking of female celebrities’ phones to the massive cyberattack on Sony that ignited geopolitical tensions, it’s clear that cybercrime is on the rise and here to stay. Like diseases which evolve to render antibiotics ineffective, the nature of these crimes adapts in response to improving cybersecurity tactics, and the sheer variety and hybrid nature of virtual thefts, denials of service, and other methods is unprecedented.

Everything from health records to personal correspondence now comes in its own digital package and can easily be transmitted to any corner of the globe with just the push of a button, and while this certainly makes things convenient for everyday activities, it can also be a convenient conduit for criminal activity.

Find a list of top online master’s degrees in forensic psychology, and learn more about their curricula and online experience.

With criminal justice being an issue that pervades all levels of society and indeed all reaches of the world, those that teach and study it have the opportunity to contribute in many different ways.

Browse our list of forensics & CSI programs based in and around Washington, DC, and learn more about the programs offered.

The job of an arson investigator is essential when it comes to determining the cause of any suspicious fire. Arson investigators may work for fire departments, law enforcement agencies, or even insurance companies. While most training was once done “on the job” the tides have since shifted towards more formal, academic training in investigative procedures and fire science.

Crime scene investigators have an impact out in the field, but also in the lab and even in the courtroom, providing testimony or expert opinion. The crime scene investigator (CSI) professors on our list come from a variety of backgrounds with many, but not all, having extensive service in law enforcement or for a police agency.

Cybersecurity may seem like a sophisticated concept, and indeed takes on many forms, which can include strategies for protecting identities and private information on the web as well as making the transference of information more secure on e-commerce sites; our list of top cybersecurity professors includes those teaching and researching in the field, or doing both.

Ralph Ristenbatt III is not sure why he made the same Top Forensic Science Professors list as the renowned criminologist Dr. Henry Lee, but that doesn’t mean his experience in the field should be discounted – especially to students interested in a career in forensic science.

DNA analysts look at the bodily fluids, blood and hair follicles found at a crime scene with the purpose of trying to connect these pieces of evidence back to a suspect. Generally, they work in crime labs and have an education founded in genetics, forensic science, molecular biology or a similar field.

Forensic pathologists bring their considerable expertise to bear on cases that rely on their medical and investigative training to determine cause of injury, death, or disease, and whether a case is worthy of criminal investigation. While the academic path to become a forensic pathologist can be long and arduous, the career can be a rewarding one, as pathology is so essential to the realization of justice.

Ralph Ristenbatt III is not sure why he made the same Top Forensic Science Professors list as the renowned criminologist Dr. Henry Lee, but that doesn’t mean his experience in the field should be discounted – especially to students interested in a career in forensic science.

As governments and enterprises increase their reliance on network and cloud storage, it becomes ever more important to protect that infrastructure and the data it stores; this mission-critical need drives ongoing demand for tech-savvy cybersecurity and digital forensics professionals, so for those with a dual interest in law and digital, a career in computer forensics could be the perfect fit.