Dr. Brundage's Thoughts on Education & Preparation for a Career in Forensic Science
ADRIENNE BRUNDAGE is a PhD student and lecturer at Texas A&M University. She completed her B.S. in 1999 in Plant Protection Sciences at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a double minor in music and theater. She completed her Master’s in 2007 in Entomology at San Jose State University, where she studied forensic entomology. Apart from over ten years in academia, Adrienne has worked on dozens of cases as an entomological investigator.
Can you provide an overview of your field, and how you came to be involved?
Forensic entomology is the use of insects in a court of law. This can include insects in food, in urban settings, in homes or restaurants, or insects feeding on decomposing bodies. A forensic entomologist provides answers to a wide variety of questions relating to the insects involved in a particular situation, and uses his or her knowledge of insect development, physiology, and behavior to give investigators biological insight into circumstances surrounding the crime.
I became involved in forensic entomology during my master’s program. My advisor at the time was asked to consult on a cold case, and as his graduate student I had the opportunity to assist. I never looked back.
The public perception of forensic science seems to be shaped by TV images of DNA matching and blood spatter analysis. Would you say that there are notable differences between the general public’s idea of forensics and the reality?
The difference between a "Hollywood" version of forensics and the reality is primarily pacing and certainty. TV shows tend to depict forensic science as a fast paced discipline that results in cut-and-dried answers. The reality is that forensic science is simply an application of other sciences (chemistry, genetics, engineering, entomology), and applying the theoretical knowledge from these disciplines is a slow, methodical process that results in the probability of certainty, but never absolute certainty.
My typical day working a case involves many, many hours of counting and measuring, followed by probability calculations. My reports to investigators give a range of answers, and a confidence interval supporting my estimations. I don't go to the crime scene very often, and when I do it is long after any excitement has come and gone. And I certainly don't get to interview any suspects. In fact, I seldom know much about the crime beyond what is relevant to my science. My student interns find the lab work rather tedious, in fact.
In your experience, how do opportunities for forensic science degree holders change between the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels?
The opportunities for students definitely change with different degrees. The forensic science field is very competitive, so there are very few jobs for students who hold an associate degree only. Students with bachelor’s degrees have a better chance of getting a job in a forensics lab, but they must have very high grades and a strong science background, especially in chemistry, physics and genetics.
Students with master's degrees have a slightly better chance of getting a coveted lab position, as long as their background and experience match with what the lab needs. A student with a PhD in forensics will most likely be in a very specialized field.
The extent of education required depends on the student's goals. If he or she wants to work in a basic crime lab, a bachelor's or master's degree will suffice. If she wants to work as a pathologist or other specialist, a PhD may be necessary. The most important component, however, is work experience. Students should pursue internships, volunteer work, and other opportunities as much as possible. This will give them a leg up on the competition.
What do you feel is the role of online education today? When is it a good option for someone interested in forensic science?
An online degree can be a good option for students, depending on the program and on the students' motivation. I know many students who have pursued a forensics degree online and gone on to a very successful career. These students also worked very hard to augment their education through conferences, internships, and research, however.
The biggest issue I have heard from students about the online option is the lack of hands on experience in learned techniques. Concepts like DNA extraction, latent print examination, and forensic photography are very hard to experience in a virtual situation. Students who opt for this route need to keep that in mind when it comes to looking for work.
Any other advice for people considering a forensic science degree?
Once again, I highly encourage students to get as much experience as possible before they graduate. Since this is a highly competitive field, employers want to see someone who is highly motivated, willing to work, and who has extra experience. There are many volunteer and internship opportunities out there. Remember that it never hurts to ask for an opportunity...the worst someone can say is no!
You can learn more about forensics and get in touch with Dr. Adrienne Brundage at her website: ForensicEntomologist.com.
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