Expert: Dick Rogers - 12/27/2005

Question
Hi-
Iam a Junior in high school and plan on going to Baylor University and work for a degree in Forensic Science. I just wanted to ask you, if a person has a degree in Forensics and wished to become a Criminalist or C.S.I, do they have to graduate from a Police Academy and work there way up in rank also even with a forensic degree? Thanks Alot. -Nick G.

Answer
Nick, if your interest is in fornsics and you plan to graduate with a scientific degree, you could probably apply to work in a crime lab...depending on their needs and your specialty.  Be forewarned, the role of a scientist in a crime lab is not as it is portrayed on television.  I am not aware of any homicide bureau, for example, that sends CSI types into the field to work homicides...usually, the detective from a homicide bureau asks for specific crime scene personnel to assist him/her in their investigation.