What Educational Background Do Crime Laboratory Directors Require From Applicants For Positions in Forensic Science?
Dr. Kenneth G. Furton, Director, International Forensic Research Institute, Department of Chemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199; Tel (305)-348-6211; Fax (305)-348-3772; www.fiu.edu/~ifri The following is a summary of the results from an educational survey mailed to the members of the American Society of Crime Lab Directors where crime lab directors listed their educational requirements from applicants for the positions of drug chemist, trace/impression evidence examiner, serologist/DNA analyst, and firearms/document examiner/fingerprint examiner. Full details are available in reference 1. Crime lab directors generally expect applicants to have hard science degrees with a preference for the B.S. in chemistry, followed by biology and forensic science degrees with significant chemistry components. The summary of degree required for all positions combined was 63% B.S., 27% B.A., 6% none, 3% M.S. and 1% Ph.D. The degree specialty required was 41% Chemistry (including
