I wasn't exactly down on my luck, but I wasn't doing great either. Basically, I was making enough money, but I was not happy in my chosen career field. I was wandering around a career fair listlessly, looking for new ideas when I decided to take a free career test at one of the booths. It told me something that I had never heard before – I have the perfect personality for a career in psychology. I was a little bit skeptical at first. I have never even thought about psychology careers, and I did not know why I should start now. I am a pretty practical person, and something as abstract as the study of the mind doesn't really appeal to me. Nonetheless, I took out a psychology career book and took a look at it. I figured that I had nothing to lose. As it turned out, I had quite a bit to gain.
When most people think of psychologist jobs, their first association is clinical psychology careers. That is the classic image of the psychologist – someone helping other people sort through their problems, analyzing their psyche and picking through for the intimate, uncomfortable details. This is why careers in psychology has never appealed to me before, but apparently there is much more to the field than that. There are research psychology careers, jobs in forensic psychology – the possibilities are endless. I was already enrolled in school as part of my continuing education in business. I decided to take a psychology course.
As I said before, I am a pretty practical person. From the very beginning, I was taking my psychology course with an eye towards what type of psychology career I might want. I was talking to the professor about psychology careers from the second week. I wasn't quite sure that I wanted to go through with it, but I thought the course was the best time to examine my options. I felt like a research psychology job might be pretty cool, but it wasn't quite practical enough for me. The more I thought about it, the more I was being drawn towards forensic psychology careers.
Now I am enrolled in a psychology degree program. I am not positive that I'm going to spend my life as a psychologist, but I certainly want to give it a try. Psychology careers are much better than the business management program that has occupied my life for the past few years!
Showing posts with label forensic lab services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forensic lab services. Show all posts
Friday, May 2, 2008
Biotech Research
One of my friends, a former community college student at the school at the same time I was working there, has decided to go into biotech research. She is technologically savvy and at the same time is fascinated with and good at working with the environment, and hopes to make some important contributions to our area (Northern California). So what does it mean to do biotech research? What does it take to get into the field of biotechnology? And how much dough can you make?
Biotech research can involve anything in the life sciences, from “human health and computational disease mapping to crop and tree improvements,” as those studies are done by students at the Biotech Research Center at Michigan Tech, from “forensics, [the] testing of biotoxins, and management of the nation’s organ transplantation process” to “drug development, medical diagnostics, biomedical engineering, and environmental analysis,” such as those done at Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, or from biogenetic engineering, farming, or nutritional assessment and engineering to toxicology, biomedical imaging and engineering, or food, drug, and environmental technologies, as conducted by University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program (UC BREP).
How much a person in biotech research makes depends on what funding the biotech research facilities are backed by. At the Biotech Research Center at Michigan Tech, for instance, funding is at $8.3 million, provided by such organizations as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Drug Administration (USDA). At the same time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biotech research engineer (as well as the biomedical engineer) make an average of $48,503 with a bachelor’s degree and around $59,667 with a master’s degree.
But will the jobs in biotech research be there when my friend and you finish your degrees? Well, again according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projection for job growth in the field of biotech research in particular but biotechnological engineering in general looks good through 2014, with the growth “much faster than average. This, BLS asserts, will be attributed to the aging of the population, the increased focus on health issues, and the demand for “better medical biomedical engineers.” Because of the heightened interest in biotech research and biomedicine, more degrees are granted in these fields/areas…and hopefully, more grants are awarded!
Biotech research can involve anything in the life sciences, from “human health and computational disease mapping to crop and tree improvements,” as those studies are done by students at the Biotech Research Center at Michigan Tech, from “forensics, [the] testing of biotoxins, and management of the nation’s organ transplantation process” to “drug development, medical diagnostics, biomedical engineering, and environmental analysis,” such as those done at Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, or from biogenetic engineering, farming, or nutritional assessment and engineering to toxicology, biomedical imaging and engineering, or food, drug, and environmental technologies, as conducted by University of California Biotechnology Research and Education Program (UC BREP).
How much a person in biotech research makes depends on what funding the biotech research facilities are backed by. At the Biotech Research Center at Michigan Tech, for instance, funding is at $8.3 million, provided by such organizations as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Drug Administration (USDA). At the same time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biotech research engineer (as well as the biomedical engineer) make an average of $48,503 with a bachelor’s degree and around $59,667 with a master’s degree.
But will the jobs in biotech research be there when my friend and you finish your degrees? Well, again according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projection for job growth in the field of biotech research in particular but biotechnological engineering in general looks good through 2014, with the growth “much faster than average. This, BLS asserts, will be attributed to the aging of the population, the increased focus on health issues, and the demand for “better medical biomedical engineers.” Because of the heightened interest in biotech research and biomedicine, more degrees are granted in these fields/areas…and hopefully, more grants are awarded!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Forensic Pathology
Determining the cause, mechanism, and manner of death takes an intimate knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Pathologists, doctors of medicine who specialize in studying the diseases that affect the human body, are the persons responsible for performing autopsies. CSI: Miami and NCIS fans know these people as the characters, Dr. Alex Woods and Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, respectively.
Pathology, the study of disease, is a postdoctoral medical specialty that dates back to the 19th century. By the latter half of the 20th century, pathologists began branching out into individual subspecialties. It was not until 1959 that forensic pathology became a board-certified specialty.
The forensic pathologist is concerned with the study of medicine as it applies to criminal law. Moreover, the forensic pathologist is more likely to deal with injuries. More than 50 percent of the cases he deals with involve death caused by the onset of disease. He is qualified to perform autopsies that yield evidence that he must attest to in open court as his professional opinion.
In order for someone to become a full-fledged forensic pathologist, one must undergo years of training in college. It takes approximately 13 years of training before he can work as a member of a CSI team. He must complete four years of undergraduate work. Another four years of medical school. Another four years of pathology residency. And finally, one year of fellowship in forensic pathology. He must be board-certified by taking an examination administered by the American Board of Pathology.
The forensic pathologist is at the top of the pyramid of the forensic system of investigation. However, the work of this profession is not all clean and tidy like working a desk job and pushing pencils all day. This profession requires you to be exposed to a deceased person's bodily fluids, smell, and disease. It can also be rewarding, fascinating, and intellectually stimulating.
Once a person becomes a forensic pathologist, he is eligible to work as a medical examiner or coroner. His duties will include examining dead bodies to ascertain the cause, mechanism, and manner of death; perform autopsies; supervise the pathology lab; and perhaps run the entire crime lab. He must be called to the scene of the crime at any hour of the day since criminals rarely keep a 9-to-5 schedule. His job description also entails assisting law enforcement officials with body search-and-recover procedures and providing expert testimony in criminal court. He must be a fully licensed doctor of medicine in the state in which he practices as a forensic pathologist and have extensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, anthropology, dentistry, microscopy, x-ray and lab testing, evidence rules and court procedures, crime scene evaluation, and local, state, and federal laws.
Pathology, the study of disease, is a postdoctoral medical specialty that dates back to the 19th century. By the latter half of the 20th century, pathologists began branching out into individual subspecialties. It was not until 1959 that forensic pathology became a board-certified specialty.
The forensic pathologist is concerned with the study of medicine as it applies to criminal law. Moreover, the forensic pathologist is more likely to deal with injuries. More than 50 percent of the cases he deals with involve death caused by the onset of disease. He is qualified to perform autopsies that yield evidence that he must attest to in open court as his professional opinion.
In order for someone to become a full-fledged forensic pathologist, one must undergo years of training in college. It takes approximately 13 years of training before he can work as a member of a CSI team. He must complete four years of undergraduate work. Another four years of medical school. Another four years of pathology residency. And finally, one year of fellowship in forensic pathology. He must be board-certified by taking an examination administered by the American Board of Pathology.
The forensic pathologist is at the top of the pyramid of the forensic system of investigation. However, the work of this profession is not all clean and tidy like working a desk job and pushing pencils all day. This profession requires you to be exposed to a deceased person's bodily fluids, smell, and disease. It can also be rewarding, fascinating, and intellectually stimulating.
Once a person becomes a forensic pathologist, he is eligible to work as a medical examiner or coroner. His duties will include examining dead bodies to ascertain the cause, mechanism, and manner of death; perform autopsies; supervise the pathology lab; and perhaps run the entire crime lab. He must be called to the scene of the crime at any hour of the day since criminals rarely keep a 9-to-5 schedule. His job description also entails assisting law enforcement officials with body search-and-recover procedures and providing expert testimony in criminal court. He must be a fully licensed doctor of medicine in the state in which he practices as a forensic pathologist and have extensive knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, anthropology, dentistry, microscopy, x-ray and lab testing, evidence rules and court procedures, crime scene evaluation, and local, state, and federal laws.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Federal Rules Computer Forensic Services
Computer forensics is becoming more mainstream in litigation and with the amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on 12-1-2006, more cases will utilize these rules. With the expected increase in demand for qualified and trained law enforcement professionals, the first computer forensics institute has been announced and will be located in Hoover, Alabama. Construction of the facility is expected to begin by mid-April of 2007, with construction completed by January of 2008. Training is expected to begin in July 2007.
"With the ever-increasing prevalence of cyber crimes such as identity theft, computer hacking and online child pornography, it is absolutely essential that we equip our law enforcement personnel with the best training and equipment available," said Governor Riley. "This center will make Alabama the nation's leader in training our local, state and federal law enforcement to combat high-tech crimes. It will become America's institution of excellence in the fight against cyber crimes."
The Center is being funded though a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, and state, county, and local governments. The State of Alabama is contributing approximately $3 million dollars to the Center, to be used for build-up expenses. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is providing an additional $9 million dollars, and the U.S. Secret Service is providing 18 full-time agents to help staff the Center.
U.S. Secret Service agents will teach computer forensics and digital evidence to national, state and local law enforcement at the Center. These agents are in the field and understand the curriculum from a law enforcement perspective. It will include high-tech classrooms, a computer forensic lab, and public education exhibit space.
The Center is expected to train more than 900 law enforcement professionals each year.
"With the ever-increasing prevalence of cyber crimes such as identity theft, computer hacking and online child pornography, it is absolutely essential that we equip our law enforcement personnel with the best training and equipment available," said Governor Riley. "This center will make Alabama the nation's leader in training our local, state and federal law enforcement to combat high-tech crimes. It will become America's institution of excellence in the fight against cyber crimes."
The Center is being funded though a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, and state, county, and local governments. The State of Alabama is contributing approximately $3 million dollars to the Center, to be used for build-up expenses. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is providing an additional $9 million dollars, and the U.S. Secret Service is providing 18 full-time agents to help staff the Center.
U.S. Secret Service agents will teach computer forensics and digital evidence to national, state and local law enforcement at the Center. These agents are in the field and understand the curriculum from a law enforcement perspective. It will include high-tech classrooms, a computer forensic lab, and public education exhibit space.
The Center is expected to train more than 900 law enforcement professionals each year.
Forensic Lab Services In Police Departments
Forensic science is not just what you see on television shows like CSI but rather the use of actual science to help determine the answer to varied legal questions. There are many different types of forensic disciplines that are used to help police and other officials answer these questions. These include criminalistics, forensic psychology, forensic pathology and others.
Criminalistics is the science used to help understand the evidence in crimes. Evidence used in criminalistics can include biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, controlled substances and ballistics. Biological evidence is usually bodily fluids such as semen and blood. Trace evidence are items like hair and fibers. Impression evidence are items like foot prints, impressions of car tires and fingerprints. Criminalistics is usually investigated in a crime lab. Many cities with very large populations have crime labs within their police departments. These include Miami-Dade, Florida and the famous Las Vegas crime lab.
Forensic psychology is the study of the mind of a criminal. Forensic psychologists usually study the motivations that led an individual to commit a certain crime. Forensic psychology has recently come into the limelight as more and more television shows have started to feature it. These includes CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds. Criminal Minds especially digs into why a person committed the crime so that they may locate the victim before it is too late. Forensic psychology has also been discredited by some as being interpreted in court as opinion and what might have been going through an individual's mind, not what actually went through the individual's mind.
Forensic pathology is the study of the cause of death. Literally, pathology is used to determine how someone died and the forensic findings are usually used to backup a court case. Forensic pathology has also recently become popular for television shows such as CSI and NCIS. Many of the cases involve a mystery over death.
There have also been many other forensic sciences such as forensic meteorology, and forensic geology, although these are used much less often than other branches of forensic science. Many of them just involve using analytical skills to determine the cause of the events.
As with any science there have been some disagreements over the scientific effectiveness of certain forensic sciences. One of these cases was an experiment by the FBI. Comparative bullet lead analysis was used by the FBI for over 40 years starting when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The theory was that each batch of bullets had a specific chemical composition, much like an element on the periodic table, and therefore could be traced back to its original batch or even down to the very box. However, internal studies showed this to be exactly the opposite and the test was finally pulled in 2005.
No matter what you may think, forensic science affects you each and every day. Forensic science allows scientific means to be applied to almost any situation so that there can be a root cause determined. Forensic science in any form is just the answering of a legal question using analytical means.
Criminalistics is the science used to help understand the evidence in crimes. Evidence used in criminalistics can include biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, controlled substances and ballistics. Biological evidence is usually bodily fluids such as semen and blood. Trace evidence are items like hair and fibers. Impression evidence are items like foot prints, impressions of car tires and fingerprints. Criminalistics is usually investigated in a crime lab. Many cities with very large populations have crime labs within their police departments. These include Miami-Dade, Florida and the famous Las Vegas crime lab.
Forensic psychology is the study of the mind of a criminal. Forensic psychologists usually study the motivations that led an individual to commit a certain crime. Forensic psychology has recently come into the limelight as more and more television shows have started to feature it. These includes CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds. Criminal Minds especially digs into why a person committed the crime so that they may locate the victim before it is too late. Forensic psychology has also been discredited by some as being interpreted in court as opinion and what might have been going through an individual's mind, not what actually went through the individual's mind.
Forensic pathology is the study of the cause of death. Literally, pathology is used to determine how someone died and the forensic findings are usually used to backup a court case. Forensic pathology has also recently become popular for television shows such as CSI and NCIS. Many of the cases involve a mystery over death.
There have also been many other forensic sciences such as forensic meteorology, and forensic geology, although these are used much less often than other branches of forensic science. Many of them just involve using analytical skills to determine the cause of the events.
As with any science there have been some disagreements over the scientific effectiveness of certain forensic sciences. One of these cases was an experiment by the FBI. Comparative bullet lead analysis was used by the FBI for over 40 years starting when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The theory was that each batch of bullets had a specific chemical composition, much like an element on the periodic table, and therefore could be traced back to its original batch or even down to the very box. However, internal studies showed this to be exactly the opposite and the test was finally pulled in 2005.
No matter what you may think, forensic science affects you each and every day. Forensic science allows scientific means to be applied to almost any situation so that there can be a root cause determined. Forensic science in any form is just the answering of a legal question using analytical means.
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