Career in forensics
Discussion
Is this based within the UK?
As far as I know, in the last decade or so the UK has cut back on forensics [including closing their government owned forensics lab in 2012]. It seems we don't have the same reliance on it as america/CSI.
Here's a snapshot from the Kent.ac university website:
'There are about 5000 staff working in the UK forensic science industry. The Forensic Science sector recruits about 200 graduates a year, but there are currently about 1500 forensic science graduates being produced each year by UK universities. (source Forensic Science Degrees: The Higher Education Perspective).
There have been a large number of applicants for advertised jobs in recent years. Forensic Alliance, for example, received 500 applicants for 30 posts. (Source Occupational Mapping Study 2003 and SEMTA data 2004/Forensic Science Degrees: The Higher Education Perspective)'
I'd suggest you ask what specifically they enjoy - It would be easy to do a Biomedical Science degree and test blood for example, and then you aren't 'stuck' with a forensics career, you can always work in another lab for pharmaceuticals or laboratory testing etc.
Edit - I apologise this sounds like a negative post, but I just want them to know the employment facts up front. I really support anyone looking to get into Science, and I'm happy to give any positive info re. other parts of this industry!
As far as I know, in the last decade or so the UK has cut back on forensics [including closing their government owned forensics lab in 2012]. It seems we don't have the same reliance on it as america/CSI.
Here's a snapshot from the Kent.ac university website:
'There are about 5000 staff working in the UK forensic science industry. The Forensic Science sector recruits about 200 graduates a year, but there are currently about 1500 forensic science graduates being produced each year by UK universities. (source Forensic Science Degrees: The Higher Education Perspective).
There have been a large number of applicants for advertised jobs in recent years. Forensic Alliance, for example, received 500 applicants for 30 posts. (Source Occupational Mapping Study 2003 and SEMTA data 2004/Forensic Science Degrees: The Higher Education Perspective)'
I'd suggest you ask what specifically they enjoy - It would be easy to do a Biomedical Science degree and test blood for example, and then you aren't 'stuck' with a forensics career, you can always work in another lab for pharmaceuticals or laboratory testing etc.
Edit - I apologise this sounds like a negative post, but I just want them to know the employment facts up front. I really support anyone looking to get into Science, and I'm happy to give any positive info re. other parts of this industry!
Edited by Jaska on Friday 4th November 09:57
My youngest left Uni 3 years ago now. I noticed that there was a forensics course running at her Uni. Not huge numbers on it, say 25-30. I mentioned it in conversation with mates who work in the Met and I recall them pointing out at the time those kids graduated there were two advertised vacancies in the UK for people with entry level qualifications in forensics.
A science or engineering degree is a better bet than specific forensics, IMO.
Mrs B (fortunately we aren't married as that would make her a bettered wife) is in forensics, specialising in fingerprints. Other people do DNA, weapons, etc. It's highly specialised. Her degree is Chem Eng, she worked in glue manufacturing for a few years.
Mrs B (fortunately we aren't married as that would make her a bettered wife) is in forensics, specialising in fingerprints. Other people do DNA, weapons, etc. It's highly specialised. Her degree is Chem Eng, she worked in glue manufacturing for a few years.
battered said:
A science or engineering degree is a better bet than specific forensics, IMO.
Mrs B (fortunately we aren't married as that would make her a bettered wife) is in forensics, specialising in fingerprints. Other people do DNA, weapons, etc. It's highly specialised. Her degree is Chem Eng, she worked in glue manufacturing for a few years.
Also a word of caution. Universities are businesses now and have to put on courses that "sell". This is how the media studies debate started when they were accused of filling places by offering soft subjects. Fortunately many now recognise that employability has to be part of the proposition to students so there should be less of an imbalance between graduate output and jobs. However I agree with battered in that a pure science degree is a better bet.Mrs B (fortunately we aren't married as that would make her a bettered wife) is in forensics, specialising in fingerprints. Other people do DNA, weapons, etc. It's highly specialised. Her degree is Chem Eng, she worked in glue manufacturing for a few years.
One of my friends did the forensic science BSc at Kent and then got an entry level job as a tester in a web development company, taught himself how to build websites, and now works as a web developer.
The point is there were very few options open to him when he left. A more generic degree that she's interested in may be a better option.
The point is there were very few options open to him when he left. A more generic degree that she's interested in may be a better option.
Agree with others. Better to not narrow too much at that age and take a more generic science based degree that leaves options open for the future.
Lots of options but depends on what she enjoys most. Very generic would be Chemistry or Biochemistry, but could look at pharmacology or similar. For me, it has to be something you enjoy when you go to Uni, not purely something you "think" will be good.
Lots of options but depends on what she enjoys most. Very generic would be Chemistry or Biochemistry, but could look at pharmacology or similar. For me, it has to be something you enjoy when you go to Uni, not purely something you "think" will be good.
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