Resources

Understand how criminal justice and forensic science are similar and different, and where they overlap. View a side-by-side comparison of the two fields.

In 1972, the outcome of Furman v. Georgia put a nationwide moratorium on the practice of capital punishment in the United States. Three years later, however, Gregg v. Georgia gave states the right to reinstate the death penalty upon fulfillment of certain conditions. In the 46 years since that ruling, a number of cases have challenged the use of capital punishment, but it has been upheld by the Supreme Court, allowing for the execution of over 1,500 people since 1976.

Learn more about the career outlook for forensic document examiners, as well as who is hiring and where. Understand how to become a handwriting analyst and forensic document examiner.

As technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives, it is no wonder that solving crimes has become almost futuristic in its advances. From retinal scanning to trace evidence chemistry, actual forensic technologies are so advanced at helping to solve crimes that they seem like something from a science-fiction thriller.

Forensic science conferences usually consist of lectures and workshops by eminent experts, a space for vendors, and networking opportunities. Such conferences can also be unique educational experiences, and in some cases, offer continuing education credits for attendance.

While the notion that women must make up ground in several male-dominated fields is well-established, studies suggest the shortage of women in criminal justice is especially harmful for the nation at large. Cities that hire a higher share of women police officers, for instance, have far fewer complaints of excessive force, which, in turn, saves taxpayers a sizable sum in legal fees.

Taking on debt to fund a college education used to be a direct path to social and financial advancement, but the latest studies show that student debt actually might hinder it. The good news is that help is out there for those who need it, and there are more scholarships available than ever before.

In the wake of the Silk Road case, the need for modern forensics investigators has only grown and so has the complexity of their task. This isn’t just a fight against an increasingly adept criminal class, but also one to master the modes and methods of the bleeding edge of technology.