Forensic scientists perform a specialized type of detective work: they gather, store, and analyze physical evidence to determine what happened and who did it, particularly at a crime scene. Forensic scientists are needed as part of many criminal police investigations and legal proceedings, and may serve as legal testimony or expert witnesses in court. read more [+]
In the course of their work, forensic scientists may find themselves analyzing human remains, blood splatters, tire tracks, fingerprints, teeth, fibers, hair, firearms, bodily fluids, drugs, computers, electronic devices, animals, insects, soils, weather patterns, and records – depending upon the forensic scientist's particular specialty.
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Forensic scientists may specialize in criminalistics, digital forensics, forensic psychology, forensic anthropology, forensic DNA analysis, forensic pathology, forensic toxicology, and many other specialties. In their career, forensic scientists may find themselves working closely with law enforcement, legal, and other forensic professionals. Forensic scientists must generally have at least a bachelor's degree to work in the field.