19 May 2010

Best jobs in science: Forensic scientist

THIS week, Alison Fendley has been trying to deduce what a blood-spattered shoe can tell her about an assault. She also has several murders on her plate, although nothing high profile, she says. As a senior scientist at the Forensic Science Service (FSS), it is not uncommon for her to have 15 cases on the go at once. “It’s thrilling when you help solve a case but sometimes the job can be a slog – you have to be very thorough; there is no room for cutting corners as our work has to stand up in a court of law.”

Forensic scientists support the police by investigating all types of evidence in every kind of crime, from analysing DNA samples in murder cases to examining computer hard drives in fraud cases. In the broadest sense, they have to distinguish between two different versions of events – usually one from the prosecution and one from the defence.

To do this, Alison will examine a crime scene to look for evidence that will help the investigative team – body fluids from which a DNA profile could be obtained, for example, or footwear marks that may link a suspect to the scene. She will also try to interpret the scene to get an idea of the sequence of events. For example, the distribution of blood spatter in a room can tell her the direction of an impact, the type of weapon used and the movement of an assailant.

Back in the lab (which looks nothing like they do in CSI; “We don’t work in the dark and we wear full protective clothing”), Alison will undertake a detailed analysis of the evidence. This can include identifying microscopic amounts of blood, saliva or semen on evidence; carrying out a DNA analysis on any samples found and comparing the resulting profile against the UK’s DNA Database; or using microscopy to see if two fibres have similar characteristics.


Alison also liaises with the police and lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service. She often has to present her findings in court, where she is cross-examined by the defence team. “Personality and communication skills are important,” she says. “You need to be confident enough to stand up in court and be able to deliver complex science in a way that can be understood by many.”

TV shows have made the job seem sexier than it is, she says, and as a result it has become a competitive industry to get into. Alison favours candidates that have a degree in a “straight” science course, such as chemistry, rather than those with a BSc in Forensics, although masters courses, like those at Kings College London and the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, can be useful.

Either way, you will be trained from scratch when you join the FSS. “It will be several years before you have to go to court, and attending murder scenes isn’t compulsory,” she says. For Alison, it is your personality that needs to stand out – you need plenty of common sense, excellent communication skills and a steely disposition.

“Starting salaries typically range from £14,000 to £18,000. An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject may increase this. A senior scientist can earn over £50,000

What could you do?

Forensic scientists tend to specialise in a particular type of crime for which the skills needed are related to their background. What’s your perfect match?

Crimes against property

Specialising in burglary and arson is most suited to chemists. This might involve the examination of chemicals, a fire investigation and accident reconstruction.

Crimes against people

Investigating murder, assault and rape is for those with a biology or chemistry background. This might involve DNA testing, as well as the examination of “contact traces” such as blood, hair and clothing fibres left behind at a crime scene.

Drugs and toxicology

If you have a chemistry, pharmaceutical or biology background, this could be for you. This speciality might involve testing for restricted drugs, examining tissue specimens for poisons, or analysing blood and urine samples for alcohol.

Handwriting analysis

This can be learned on the job. It might involve determining whether an MOT certificate is fake, and if so what type of printer was used to forge it.