How To Become A Forensic Scientist In South Africa

Forensic scientists use analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summarise the results for court cases.

What is a forensic scientist salary?

By illustration, the BLS (May ) reported that forensic science techs make an average annual salary of R 954694.41 which is 16 percent higher than the mean annual wage for all occupations at R 808399.62 (.

Is forensic scientist in demand?

Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

How do I get a job in forensics?

The first step you need to take to become a Forensic Expert is to opt for a bachelor’s degree in Forensic. There are various undergraduate degrees offered in colleges after which the candidate can opt for a career as a Forensic Expert. Some of these are B.Sc Forensic Science, B.Sc Forensic Science and Criminology, B.

What Forensic Scientists Do

Forensic scientist is a broad term covering crime scene investigators who collect evidence from the scenes of crimes and technicians who work mostly in a laboratory setting. Regardless of the specific role they play, forensic scientists need to be organized, detail-oriented, and possess high ethical standards.

Qualifications and training required to Become A Forensic Scientist In South Africa

To become a forensic scientist, a degree in forensic science or another science subject is necessary.

Postgraduate study in forensic science is often required, especially after studying a general science subject at undergraduate level.

A range of degree courses are accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Read our article on scientific postgraduate study to explore your different options.

Whether you have a forensic science or a general science degree, check potential employers exact requirements as not all science-based subjects guarantee entry into the profession.

Relevant experience can be difficult to acquire as forensic laboratories do not offer placements, so experience gained using similar scientific and analytical techniques can be useful.

Key skills for forensic scientists

Logical and independent mind

Meticulous attention to detail

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Objectivity and sensitivity when dealing with confidential information

Ability to work under pressure and to a deadline

Concentration and patience

Ability to deal with stressful and emotional situations

Confidence in your own judgement

Responsibilities of Forensic Scientist In South Africa

searching for and collecting evidence at the scenes of crimes

compiling written reports

gathering evidence

verifying the authenticity of documents

testing fluid and tissue samples for the use of drugs or poisons

analysing tool and tyre marks

giving and defending evidence in court

recovering data from electronic equipment such as laptops, computers and mobile phones

using appropriate analytical techniques such as chromatography, electron microscopy and DNA profiling

Where To Study Forensic Science In South Africa

Forensic science, also known as criminalistics, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws, mainly on the criminal side during criminal investigation, as governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure.

Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyze scientific evidence during the course of an investigation.

While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals

Forensic Science Schools In South Africa

Here is the List Of Forensic Science Schools In South Africa;

University of the Free State

University of Pretoria

University of South Africa UNISA

BHSc(Hons) Forensic Sciences – Wits University

University Of Western Cape

University Of Cape Town

What qualifications do you need to be a forensic scientist?

To work as a forensic scientist you’ll usually need either a degree in a scientific subject, such as biological sciences or chemistry, or a degree in forensic science. Degree subjects such as statistics and geology can be useful for entry into specialist areas of forensic science.

What are the 3 main functions of a forensic scientist?

The three tasks or responsibilities of a forensic scientist are: Collecting evidence. Analyzing evidence. Communicating with law enforcement.

Is forensic scientist a good career?

Pros of forensic science lie in the job outlook and salary potential for the career. The BLS provided an estimate of 14 percent job growth through 2028. While the average salary was R 954694.41, the BLS mentioned that the highest-paid forensic scientists made over R 1471260.10 in May

Do you need math to be a forensic scientist?

A career as a forensic analyst requires an undergraduate degree in mathematics, chemistry, biology, or a related natural science field. If the coursework is well planned, after finishing one of these degrees, you could immediately start applying for crime lab jobs.

How hard is it to get a job in forensic science?

Some fear the increased interest in crime scene investigation is flooding the job market with candidates, making it harder to find jobs. Finding a job in forensic science can be hard, but it’s not impossible. Understand that there is a possibility that you may have to move to get the job you want or need.

What are the dangers of being a forensic scientist?

While some forensic technicians work primarily in the lab, others routinely visit crime scenes to collect and document evidence. Because many crime scenes are outdoors, forensic technicians may be exposed to hazardous weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold, snow, rain, or even damaging winds.

Is being a forensic scientist stressful?

The study from Mohammed Almazrouei and colleagues examines stress and feedback across forensic biologists, forensic chemists and latent print examiners. Overall, 36% of examiners “strongly” felt they were often stressed at work, with 17% reporting feeling stress relatively infrequently.

What are the benefits of being a forensic scientist?

Forensic Science Technicians typically receive benefit packages, including health, dental, and life insurance as well as vacation, holiday pay, sick leave, and retirement plans.

What is interesting about being a forensic scientist?

Combining science, experience and technology, a forensic scientist paints a picture of a crime scene and reveals clues about the perpetrators by analyzing evidence. Forensic scientists work on-site at a crime scene, in a laboratory and often testify at court hearings about their findings.

Which best describes the main role of a forensic scientist?

Forensic scientists use analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summaries the results for court cases. Forensic science is the application of science to the law by gathering and examining evidence to be used in a legal case.