Forensic Psychology, Crime Scene Specialists, Pathologists,
Medical examiners & Coroners

Forensic Psychology/Profiling

Are you interested in being a "profiler?" Be prepared for more than a decade of study in psychology and many years of research involving criminal offenders. You should also know that you will never find an employment ad for a "profiler." There is no certificate or license that will make you a profiler, regardless of how many classes and workshops you attend or complete on the subject matter. Click here for the professional and academic background of Dr. Eric Hickey, a real life profiler who teaches in the Department of Criminology at California State University Fresno.

Crime Scene Specialists: Persons processing/investigating crime scenes are typically detectives or sworn peace officers either at the local/county or state level. At the federal level, law enforcement agents of the various departments, supported by technical personnel when necessary, conduct crime scene investigations.
At the state/county or local levels, some agencies hire non-sworn persons to process crime scenes under the direction of sworn personnel. Such non-sworn personnel does not, however, have the broader authority to conduct their own criminal investigations. They are simply in a support role. Minimum requirements may be a H.S. diploma for a entry level position with on the job training, or a year or more of experience processing fingerprints, general photography, writing written reports, and similar activities, in addition to the H.S. diploma. Some agencies may also specify some college work in chemistry, biology or similar areas.

Pathologists: Pathologists are typically medical doctors who specialize in pathology. Their duties include the dissection and examination of bodies to determine cause of death. They may be assisted by non-medically trained personnel who cut/saw and otherwise take apart human bodies or remains.

Medical Examiners/Coroners: In some jurisdictions, the Sheriff is the County Coroner and is responsible for investigating the cause/s when there is a death that is not attended by a physician. Medical examiners have a similar task in many jurisdictions and are often peace officers with some special or additional training to conduct basic cause of death examinations. They do NOT conduct autopsies. In less populated counties of Texas, the County Justice of the Peace performs such duties. Such coroners and/or medical examiners may order an autopsy by a phathologist if they find it necessary.

In other jurisdictions a medical examiner may actually function like a pathologist. If you type in the terms pathologist, medical examiner, or coroner, in a popular search engine, you will find a variety of job descriptions for the positions discussed.

Also review the many links to forensic associations world-wide

You can obtain more crime scene investigation related employment/career information at Crime Scene Investigator Net