The Role of Forensic Scientice

• Forensic science includes fingerprint analyses.Fingerprint crop image by Andrew Brown from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, "Any science used for the purposes of the law is a forensic science." Police operations in scientific crime fighting often require specialized knowledge not available to detectives. This necessity for forensic science opens the door to a wide variety of non-police professionals.
  
  These professions include an array of scientists, fingerprint specialists, biologists and chemists who examine, analyze, collect and interpret evidence in the prosecution of crime.
  
  

To Preserve and Collect

• The Crime Scene Unit must preserve evidence in the field.yellow tape image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  As its primary function, the NYPD Crime Scene Unit searches for and maintains evidence. They must prevent the compromising of evidence during investigations. Such a dry definition doesn't always fit the picture painted by cop shows and detective movies, but this "chain of custody" remains central to our justice system. Mistakes in evidence handling could cause wrongful convictions or allow those responsible for a crime to go free.
  
  

NYPD Requirements

• NYPD recruits must meet physical training requirements.push ups image by Steve Lovegrove from Fotolia.com
  
  Like any police officer, those wishing to join the Crime Scene Unit must first pass the NYPD's exam, attend the police academy and swear an oath to uphold and protect the law.
  
  Newly hired officers must be at least 21 and hold 60 college credits or serve two years as full-time active US military personnel. Other prerequisites include meeting citizenship and residency requirements, along with passing physical and psychological tests as well as criminal background checks.
  
  

Civilian Opportunities

• Criminalists analyze evidence using scientific methods.microscope image by Fotocie from Fotolia.com
  
  You don't have to carry a badge and a gun to become a part of a crime lab or the NYPD Crime Scene Unit. If your conception of a CSI's duties includes testing gunshot residue, analyzing fingerprints or looking for trace evidence, head to the Police Laboratory in Jamaica, Queens.
  
  Along with officers, the crime lab employs scientifically trained criminalists. These experts perform a wide range of chemical and physical analyses on evidence. The Police Laboratory recruits civilian scientists with specialties in genetics, drugs, insect identification, botany, chemistry and physics.
  
  

Education and Advancement

• Change is a constant in science, making continual education a must for CSIs.system image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
  
  Earning a bachelor's or graduate degree in the hard sciences will provide the most opportunity for advancement in forensic science. In addition to an aptitude and education in science, the AAFS recommends honing public speaking and written communication skills. Students should work to develop a strong ethical background as well as personal integrity.
  
  Criminalists working for New York City's Police Laboratory are required to hold "a bachelor's degree from an accredited college with a specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, genetics or a list of other affiliated science fields. As of 2010, holding a master's in one of these fields may count for two years of experience, potentially raising a candidate two pay levels.
  
  NYPD recruits with a bachelor of science or a higher degree in the hard sciences may also receive preferential placement.
  
  As science and technology are constantly changing, a criminalist or other employee of the Police Lab or Crime Scene Unit will need to complete additional training hours on a regular basis.
  
  

Outside the NYPD

• A multitude of law enforcement agencies operate in New York City.new york image by PhotographerOne from Fotolia.com
  
  In addition to the NYPD, prospective CSIs should scope out other law enforcement agencies headquartered in New York City. The Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department Of the Treasury and FBI all conduct operations in New York.
  
  Analogous in some ways to the Crime Scene Unit, The FBI's New York Division maintains an Evidence Response Team (ERT), which deploys special agents in evidence collection and coordinates with the FBI Labs in Washington, D.C. As with the NYPD, science graduates may receive priority in recruitment and training.