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REQUESTER:	TFC. Brian Jones
	State Police Auto Theft Unit (310-288-8433)
OFFENSE:	Auto Theft, Forgery
CASE NUMBER:	01-39-00333
RECEIVED:	March 19, 1999
OPENED:	March 24, 1999
COMPLETED:	April 19, 1999
FORENSIC HOURS:	40 hours
OS EXAMINED:	Microsoft® Windows® 98
FILE SYSTEM:	[FAT32]
DATA ANALYZED:	7,782 MB

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SUPPLEMENT 1

ADDITIONAL TEXTS FOR RENDERING

TEXT 1

QUALIFICATIONS OF A FORENSIC EXAMINER

The formal education of a criminalist begins with a baccalaureate degree in a natural science. The emphasis of the degree is commonly chemistry, biology, physics, or forensic science. Coursework in mathematics (including statistics), a public speaking course, criminal justice courses, writing, and logic courses are also valuable because they prepare the criminalist for different aspects of a career that are not purely scientific, such as testifying in court. Many forensic laboratories employ entry-level criminalists after completion baccalaureate degrees.

Although an undergraduate degree provides a sufficient foundation for entry-level criminalists, on-the-job training will provide most of the useful skills required for a career. Accredited laboratories are required to have written training manuals for each section of the laboratory and for each specific examination handled within that section. For example, a training manual for trace evidence criminalists will include training modules in glass, paint, hair, and fiber examinations. The training will generally be supervised by an experienced criminalist and takes months to complete. An important part of the training includes reanalysis of previously adjudicated cases, past proficiency tests, and other simulated materials. Analysis of such cases provides "real world" experience. Most likely, a criminalist trainee will graduate to independent casework analysis after demonstrating competency and successful completion of proficiency tests.

Advanced college degrees are not necessary for an entry-level criminalist, but national guidelines require master's degrees for certain positions. The DNA Advisory Board (DAB) now requires DNA technical managers to have master's degrees. In some situations, experience can substitute for a graduate degree. Master's degrees are desirable to many laboratories, but gaining experience and becoming productive in casework-is much more desirable. A master's can be pursued as a part of continuing education.

Both accreditation and certification require that individuals be provided opportunities to continue their education by attending forensic meetings, training courses ,and seminars, in addition to in-house training. The most beneficial aspect of attending meetings and seminars is meeting other criminalists and sharing experiences. This allows exchange of ideas and learning about other approaches to casework. An interesting aspect of criminalistics is that each case is different and, therefore, presents its own challenges. Learning about new techniques and meeting other criminalists can be rewarding training experiences.

Reading current forensic science journals and general scientific journals are other important aspects of a well-rounded continuing -education program. One valuable resource is the Journal of Forensic Sciences published six times a year. International forensic journals are also published regularly. The training of new criminalists should include the review of important historical forensic materials. The works of Hans Gross, Charles O'Hara, James Osterburg, and Paul Kirk, to name a few, demonstrate that the approaches used remain the same even though technology has advanced. Their contributions are both scientific and philosophical in nature.