ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

What Educational Background Do Crime Laboratory Directors Require from Applicants?
Furton, KG
Associate Professor/Director, International Forensic Research Institute, and Graduate Student, Florida International University, FL

Cole, MD
Senior Lecturer, Forensic Science Unit, University of Strathclyde,

Hsu, Y-L
Associate Professor/Director, International Forensic Research Institute, and Graduate Student, Florida International University, FL

(Received 11 March 1998; accepted 8 June 1998)

Abstract

A summary of the results from a recent survey where crime lab directors listed their educational requirements from applicants for the positions of drug chemist, trace/impression evidence examiner, serologist/DNA analyst, and firearms/document examiner/fingerprint examiner is presented and discussed. Crime lab directors generally expect applicants to have “hard” science degrees with a preference for the B.S. in chemistry, followed by biology and forensic science degrees with significant chemistry components. Over 90% of the directors responding do not require an internship.

Keywords:
forensic science, crime lab directors, survey, educational requirements

Paper ID: JFS14424J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14424J
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