By Dr. Dana Austin, Forensic Anthropologist for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office
and UT Arlington Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Students who have a general interest in "anything forensic" have to begin by identifying the area of forensics that they are likely to pursue. Many get their idea of what forensics is by watching fictional and non-fictional television shows. The fictional shows present a distorted view which suggests that one person can work in multiple fields at the same time. For example, a "CSI" investigator may do a crime scene technician's job by processing a scene for evidence, a laboratory technician's job by analyzing evidence found at a crime scene and a detective's job by interviewing subjects of interest.
Students interested in law enforcement careers such as crime scene analysis and detective work are encouraged to contact the UT Arlington Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice ( http://www.uta.edu/criminology ) and review local police hiring websites (e.g., http://www.arlingtonpd.org ).
Anyone interested in pursuing a career in one of the forensic fields must be a person with personal honesty and integrity. Personal background checks can include drug testing and questions (possible under polygraph examination) about the applicant's history of drug use, criminal record, personal associations, driving record, work history and credit history.
Educational recommendations are listed in a comprehensive document created by a technical working group for education and training in forensic science sponsored by the National Institute of Justice ( http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij ). The information on education and training in the forensic sciences found on the following site is a must-read resource for anyone considering a career in the forensic sciences: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/203099.htm .
The web page for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, http://www.aafs.org , is full of useful resources and links. Each of the disciplines covered under the AAFS are outlined and the scope of the work, education and training required, and career opportunities are discussed in a realistic fashion. The AAFS website also includes job postings which give an idea who is hiring, salary ranges, and required academic credentials. Another valuable resource through the AAFS is the Young Forensic Scientists' Forum for encouraging emerging young scientists: http://www.forensicsciencesfoundation.org/career_paths/careers.htm
Note from Suzanne Baldon, Forensic Artist and UT Arlington Lecturer in Anthropology
Training in forensic art can enhance a career in law enforcement and is an area of expertise recognized by the International Association for Identification. You can learn about careers using identification techniques, including forensic art, fingerprint examination, photography and digital evidence examination at IAI website: http://www.THEIAI.org/ .
There are many talented and capable artists in this group who work in fields of law enforcement, archaeology and historical applications using sculpture, computerized reconstruction, and a combination of other technologies. I tell my students that hands-on practices will enable them to perceive concepts that they study. In Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin writes that her engineering students practice drafting by hand in order to comprehend the forms with which they work on the computer.
Robert Powers, a detective with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Phoenix, is a forensic artist and an officer in the IAI. Here is his contact info: Detective Robert Powers, CFA, Forensic Artist/Homicide Investigator, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, 102 W. Madison St., Phoenix, Arizona 85003, (602) 876-4820, email : b_powers@mcso.maricopa.gov
Here is my website where you'll find several examples of my forensic and fine art: http://www.baldonart.com
Karen T. Taylor and Betty Pat. Gatliff are my respected teachers and mentors for forensic art. I use Taylor's book, Forensic Art and Illustration, as the textbook for the forensic art class I teach each spring semester at UT Arlington. This book is a comprehensive guide to methods of forensic art and contains a chapter by Gatliff on clay reconstruction techniques. Gatliff is a retired medical illustrator with the Federal Aviation Administration, and Taylor has an academic and applied background in fine art. For many years she was the forensic artist for the Department of Public Safety in Austin, but is now in private practice. Both she and Gatliff teach forensic art workshops on a regular basis and have updated schedules posted on this website: http://www.karenttaylor.com/ .
Lois Gibson is an artist who was cited in the 2005 Guiness Book of World Records for the number of identifications resulting from her forensic artwork. She works for the Houston, Texas Police Department and her website is http://www.loisgibson.com
Wesley Neville is yet another talented forensic artist (website http://www.forensicartist.com/ ). Perhaps these examples will get you started.