What Is Forensic Science About?

In the media, the work of forensic scientists or criminalistics specialists seems to be fast-paced and exciting. In reality, their duties are usually slow and meticulous, but they are still extremely important.

If you want to step a little outside the fiction painted by television series and learn a bit more about the reality of this exciting degree, keep reading because we have a lot to tell you.

What is criminalistics about?

The use of forensic science dates back to ancient Greek and Roman societies. These civilizations made significant contributions in the field of medicine, especially pharmacology. Their research on the production, use and symptoms of toxins made possible the study of their use in murders.

In 16th-century Europe, doctors began for the first time collecting information on the cause and manner of death. A French army surgeon, Ambroise Paré, methodically studied the effect that violent death has on internal organs.

In 1880, the fingerprint analysis technique for linking incidents to suspects marked a major breakthrough in the forensic landscape.

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a boom in the development of new techniques for examining evidence. This led agencies and bodies in charge of law enforcement to realize the need for special teams of forensic investigators for gathering and analyzing evidence. This is how the degree in criminalistics was born.

Today, forensic science has witnessed a series of significant advances. From high-tech tools to DNA profiling and cyber forensic analysis, criminalistic investigations are much easier now than ever.

Criminalistics specialists often specialize in crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis. At the crime scene, they record what they observe, take photographs and gather evidence.

In the laboratory, they test weapons and substances such as fiber, hair and tissue to determine a connection to the crime and the suspect. They also write reports to document their findings and the techniques used.

Some criminalists specialize in particular areas such as fingerprinting, DNA, handwriting analysis or ballistics.

Digital forensic analysts specialize in computer crimes. They collect and analyze data to expose electronic fraud, scams and identity theft.

Most criminalistics specialists work for police departments, criminalistics laboratories, morgues and forensic offices. They can work outdoors in all types of weather and divide their time between laboratories and offices.

While they gain expertise and deductive skills from their on-the-job experience, they generally must start with at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or forensic science.

They may also be requested by a court to serve as an expert witness. Their evidence and testimony can help send the guilty to prison or free the innocent.

What is the profile of a criminalist like?

In addition to education, it is important for a criminalist to maintain certain types of personal traits such as integrity, good speaking skills and the ability to take notes and be able to properly explain what they have done to someone who may not understand what their job is.

Once you have obtained a job as a criminalist, you will normally be assigned to a forensic laboratory. However, some will be assigned to work on crime scene investigations and this is when you may be asked to work long hours and nights.

Some of the key skills for criminalists are:

• Have logical and independent thinking
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Objectivity and sensitivity when dealing with confidential information
• Ability to work under pressure and within a deadline
• Concentration and patience
• Ability to deal with stressful and emotional situations.
• Confidence in your own judgment

Frequently asked questions about the criminalistics degree

What is the length of the degree?

In Spain, the criminalistics degree lasts 4 years, for which the student is required to complete 240 study credits.

How much does it cost to study criminalistics?

The approximate price per credit is €26.

What cutoff grade is needed to study criminalistics?

The cutoff grade required to study criminalistics is approximately 10,000.

General subjects in criminalistics

Some of the subjects for the criminalistics degree at Universidad de Alcalá are:

• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• History and Fundamentals, Criminalistics and Criminology
• Biology
• Forensic Instrumental Analysis
• Criminal Law
• Forensic Anthropology
• Forensic Chemistry Laboratory
• Legal and Forensic Medicine
• Ballistics and Instrumental Traces
• Forensic Genetics
• Digital Signal Processing
• Forensic Toxicology
• Computer Forensics

Career opportunities and salary

Once you have earned your university degree in the degree in Criminalistics, the professional in this field can work in private companies as well as in public administration. In the latter case, you must prepare to meet the requirements of the competitive examination process.

In private companies, you can work in laboratories or companies dedicated to criminalistics that study the evidence collected at a crime scene. You can also work as an expert witness for banks, insurance companies and law firms.

In the case of public administration, the criminalist can work in the State police forces, specifically in their scientific divisions.

You can also work as a lecturer in universities or in scientific research centers.

How do I know if this degree is for me?

Before studying Criminalistics, you should seriously consider whether you believe you are an impartial and fair person, because remember that we are talking about working at crime scenes and you must have the values needed to collect evidence always with a focus on trying to discover who committed the crime and the reasons that led that person to commit it.

If you also believe that you have leadership skills to carry out the task of leading work teams, the degree in Criminalistics could be a great study option for you.