Addressing Shortfalls in Forensic Science Education
National Institute of Justice
THE PROBLEM
Increasing interest in forensic science has led to a proliferation of academic programs in the United States and abroad. Unfortunately, the field of forensic science lacks a standard academic curriculum, an issue that creates problems for students and future employers.
“Students completing these programs expect to find employment in crime labs but are surprised to learn that lab management is not impressed by the curriculum,” according to the Council of Forensic Science Education.
Students who enter forensic science programs often expect to work in conditions similar to the television crime shows they watch. Many find they are unprepared for the reality of a career in the field. “A lot of new students come to our programs looking for an exciting career. Unfortunately, they often come with unrealistic expectations,” says Charles Tindall, director of forensic science at the Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Worse, many students find that their undergraduate degrees in forensic science leave them unprepared to work in a crime lab.