Are forensic scientists similar to CSIs (crime scene investigators)?
Dr. Anderson: No. Forensic scientists are not CSIs. CSIs are police officers who examine the crime scene and collect evidence to be taken to a crime (forensic) lab. These police officers are usually called identification officers or ident officers. Forensic scientists work in the crime lab; they are civilians, not police officers. Forensic scientists analyze the evidence collected by the ident officers and then submit reports giving their opinion of the weight of the evidence. They also often testify in court as expert witnesses. Grace: What are some of the different areas that forensic scientists can specialize in? Dr. Anderson: There are many areas that forensic scientists work in. Forensic scientists who work in crime labs can specialize in one of several areas: forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic toxicology, questioned documents examination, and firearms and tool mark examination. There are also many other scientists such as myself who are involved in forensic science bu
