Education and Training in Forensic Science
A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions, and Students
National Institute of Justice
Introduction
Forensic science plays a crucial role in the justice system by providing scientific and foundational information for investigations and the courts. The Technical Working Group on Education and Training in For ensic Science (TWGED) focused primarily on education and training in those disciplines traditionally and generally associated with the work of forensic science laboratories, commonly referred to as “criminalistics.” (For more information on criminalistics, see “What Is ‘Criminalistics’?”) Criminalistics is the profession and scientific discipline directed toward the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence in legal proceedings by the application of the natural sciences. There are many other forensic science specialty areas whose educational and training requirements are distinctly different from the traditional lab oratory science areas, such as forensic computer science, forensic entomology, and forensic psychology; these are more fully described in appendix A.
How to Use This Guide
This Guide is intended for use by forensic science laboratories in hiring and training forensic scientists, educational institutions offering or seeking to establish forensic science programs, and individuals beginning or continuing careers in forensic science.
Forensic science laboratories can use this Guide in a variety of ways. It offers suggested qualifications for prospective employees’ academic background, which may assist laboratories in posting and fill ing forensic science positions. The Guide also provides structure for the continuing education of practicing forensic scientists and training to enhance a current employee’s knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs).
Educational institutions can use this Guide to gauge the curriculum and structure of their forensic science academic programs. As a reflection of the forensic science community’s needs and requirements, this Guide also may provide direction and ideas for the design or expansion of these programs.
In addition, prospective forensic science students can use this Guide to assist them in evaluating forensic science academic programs. It can also provide guidance regarding the requirements, career paths, and expectations for a career in forensic science.