forensic dna analyst
Education/Training/Certification:
To become a Forensic DNA Analyst you need to have an associate's degree in forensic science. If you want to work in a crime lab you usually need to have bachelor's or graduate degree in molecular biology, biochemistry or genetics. You need to have good writing and communication skills. It's recommended that one has at least 2 years of full-time experience in forensic casework, and many employers require graduate-level coursework in a related field. Responsibilities/ Daily Activities: Forensic DNA Analysts work in forensic crime scene labs. There they conduct tests on different samples collected from crime scenes. They take DNA tests, including DNA purification, PCR amplification, and fluorescent DNA analysis. After collecting data and information they catalog and analyze all the DNA evidence. Often times they may also present their information in court as expert witnesses to verify the findings of their DNA analyses. They have to follow strict safety procedures, laboratory rules, identify problems that may affect test performance, and analyze DNA to look for evidence. Salary: The average salary for a Forensic DNA Analyst ranges anywhere from $39,020 and $62,890 a year. Pros/Cons: -It would be exciting to working in a lab everyday -It would be cool to look at live DNA and analyze it -There would always be a new body therefore a new set of DNA to look at -You work longer hours than usual -Looking at DNA all day could get boring -It could be stressful because people are counting on you to find evidence Interest in the Job: On a scale of 1 to 10 my interest in doing this job would be an 5. It would be cool to examine DNA and look at the different strands to find evidence, but I feel like looking at DNA all day could get really boring. Sources: http://www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/forensic-dna-analyst/ http://work.chron.com/requirements-dna-analyst-16868.html |