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Guide to College Majors in Forensic Medicine

What is Forensic Medicine?

Healthcare professionals who specialize in forensics serve as liaisons between law and medical science. The term "forensics" means "pertaining to law," and forensic experts and medical professionals are integral parts of the justice system. Forensic pathologists, doctors, nurses, and technicians use medical principles and scientific procedures to analyze the physical evidence associated with criminal investigations.

In practical terms, a healthcare professional that works in the forensic medicine field aims to discover the cause of a person's death, injury, or disease. He does so in the pursuit of societal justice. Healthcare professionals who specialize in forensic medicine serve extremely important roles that require a combination of precise scientific knowledge and a sincere desire to protect their communities.

Forensic medicine is a field of healthcare that demands precision and accuracy. The medical equipment and techniques used by forensic professionals are immensely sophisticated, and to pursue a career in forensic medicine, a degree focused on proper training is a necessity.

Online schools provide students who are hoping to engage in a forensic medicine degree program with opportunities to participate in meaningful learning. By completing courses online, participating in virtual training, and communicating with professors and fellow students in chat room settings, forensic medicine students enjoy the option of receiving a quality education without the burden of relocating to a physical campus. Online forensic medicine programs enable students to fuse a desire to pursue a healthcare career with the information, training, and skills necessary to function as essential figures in the justice system.

Did you know?
Forensic medicine was first used in the late 1700's in the United Kingdom to determine whether a death was the result of suicide. What originated as a very simple inspection of a deceased person's body has grown into the extensive medical field that we know as autopsy. Thus, not only was autopsy the first scientific technique used to determine the cause of death, it was also the beginning of forensic medicine.

Trends for Forensic Medicine Careers

The reliance on forensic medicine in the justice system continues to increase as the technology and sophistication of medical procedures are enhanced by modern innovation. As forensic evidence continues to become more common in criminal proceedings, the expertise of forensic healthcare professionals will be needed to ensure justice.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that job opportunities for forensic professionals will continue to grow as quickly as average over the next ten years, and job opportunities for nurses are expected to grow rapidly. Students considering this field should note that employment opportunities increase significantly with advanced medical and forensic training. Because this field is still fairly new and technology evolves quickly, State Public Safety Departments seek forensic professionals who are up-to-date on the latest procedures and who are properly qualified to operate medical equipment.

Preparing for Forensic Medicine School

A top-notch education is a necessary building block to achieving success in a forensic medicine career. Healthcare professionals specialized in forensic medicine draw heavily on mathematical and scientific knowledge. Such knowledge is best developed in a forensic medicine degree program. Additionally, premier degree programs also provide students with the ability to combine math, medical, and science courses with quality hands-on training. Before deciding to enroll in a forensic medicine degree program, it is important that potential students consider several things.

First, a student should carefully weigh his personal interests and strengths with the requirements of a successful forensic medicine career. Forensic healthcare professionals enjoy tedious and complicated scientific procedures, have an affinity for science and math, and possess a strong commitment to creating a safer society through their work. Potential students should also possess these characteristics.

Second, obtaining a degree in forensic medicine will involve intense and advanced studies of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A potential forensic medicine student can prepare by enrolling in as many advanced math and science courses as his high school offers. Students will thrive in forensic medicine degree programs when they have strong foundational skills in math and science.

Another good method for deciding to participate in a forensic medicine degree program would be to shadow a healthcare professional working in this field. Shadowing involves following a professional around for a day to gain insight into what a job might typically be like. It is also a good idea to discuss interests in forensic medicine with a forensic professional. He or she may be able to offer advice, guidance, and ideas about job opportunities in the field.

Asking the forensic medicine specialist questions about day-to-day job tasks, opportunities for career advancement, or education requirements could prove to be the most valuable information a potential student obtains. Actively engaging in this sort of career probing and shadowing provides a thorough picture of future possibilities in forensic medicine.

Once a future forensic medicine student decides to pursue a career in this field, the final step involves comparing and contrasting potential forensic medicine degree programs to find the best fit. Performing this type of research is a valuable way for a student to discover what he seeks in a program. Maybe one program does not cover a particular aspect of forensic medicine that a student is very interested in studying, or maybe another program features several courses in a specialized area that will provide opportunities for focus. These are all variables to consider and understand.

By using this research as a catalyst, a student will also be able to generate a list of questions to ask admissions counselors that will assist in his final program selection. The more information a student can gather about his forensic medicine degree program options, the better informed his decision will be.

Career Education in Forensic Medicine

Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs

College degree programs in forensic medicine allow students to develop the skills necessary to find employment in this facet of healthcare. The choices of degree programs within forensic medicine, however, offer variety and room for advancement. Whether a student is interested in gaining entry level experience as a forensic nurse or as a forensic physician's assistant before pursuing a more intense degree program, or whether a current forensic professional aims to expand an existing set of skills and qualifications, online forensic degree programs offer many attractive possibilities.

Because advanced computer technology has become more easily accessible to more students, healthcare and forensic medicine schools offer degree programs online. Students engage in online tutorials, web seminars, and interactive training. Forensic medicine students who participate in distance learning degree programs have the flexibility to tailor their own schedules and course loads to cooperate with existing commitments to jobs and family.

Forensic Nursing Certificate Programs
Forensic medicine nursing certificate programs are worthy options for both new students seeking an introductory educational experience and current nurses who want to explore a career in forensic medicine. Online forensic nursing certificate programs encourage students to learn and develop the skills that are necessary to assist medical examiners in collecting and testing evidence in an investigation.

Additionally, students in forensic nursing degree programs will receive training that focuses on the care and advocacy of hospitalized crime victims. The training involved in forensic nursing degree programs is necessary if a student hopes to pursue a career in this field, and developing a focused nursing expertise could translate into advanced employment opportunities.

In many online forensic medicine and nursing degree programs, students can elect to transfer completed courses required for a certificate to a more advanced degree program later. Certificate programs vary, and potential students should discuss particular degree programs with school admissions counselors.

Associate Degree
Healthcare students who want to first commit to an associate degree program will find opportunities in several medical fields that involve forensic work. Many associate degree programs offer courses dedicated to aspects of forensic science and medicine. Associate degree programs provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure entry-level employment in many medical fields, including medical assisting, lab assisting, and other technical careers. Completing an online associate degree program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain practical, on-the-job experience before committing to a more lengthy degree program.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science degree is the starting point for forensic related nursing and healthcare careers. Generally, B.S. in Nursing degree programs emphasize the general concepts of nursing, medical science, patient care, and related technology and equipment training. Nurses must be familiar with various types of medical illnesses, emergencies, therapies, and procedures. They must also consistently update skills, training, and knowledge.

Pursuing a nursing degree is an intense and challenging endeavor. It typically takes students four academic years to complete this program. Some B.S. in Nursing degree programs give students the option of concentrating on forensic nursing. Forensic nursing programs provide students with an opportunity to receive a well-rounded education online, making the experience possible from the comforts of a student's preferred internet-friendly environment.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
After gaining introductory work experience, it is common for many entry-level healthcare professionals to seek advanced training to increase their upper-level job opportunities. Therefore, many physician's assistants pursue a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree with a concentration in forensic medicine. This degree program prepares a student to work in a medical examiner's office.

M.S. degree programs in this healthcare field familiarize students with medical equipment, procedures, and the legal knowledge necessary to assist in forensic investigations. M.S. forensic medicine degree programs also encourage students to specialize their talents and skills in a way that will make them desirable employees for advanced positions. Because most students make the decision to pursue an M.S. degree in Physician Assistant Students while working, online degree programs are an appealing and viable education option.

Other Advanced Forensic Medicine Degrees
Besides the degrees featured here, there are also many other educational paths that can lead to careers in forensic medicine. Students can choose to pursue a Medical Doctorate and then specialize in forensic medicine, forensic pathology, or forensic toxicology. Students interested in assessing and healing the mental health of criminals and victims might thrive in a Doctor of Psychiatry degree program with a focus on forensic psychology and psychiatry.

Another option to consider would be pursuing a Healthcare Management educational path, which would qualify students to manage crime labs and teams of forensic scientists. Other forensic professionals enter the field through other scientific education backgrounds, including chemistry, biology, and mathematics.

Universities offering online forensic medicine degree programs:

Kaplan University - Online Forensic Nursing Certificate
A.T. Still University - Online MS in Advanced Physician Assistant Studies / Forensic Medicine Concentration

What can you do with a College Degree in Forensic Medicine?

Outlook for medical examiner, forensic pathologist, forensic nurse, crime lab director careers

Just as there are multiple educational paths that can lead to a career in forensic medicine, there are also many different types of forensic medicine careers. Often called "medico-legal," all careers in the forensic medicine field combine the efforts of legal pursuits of justice and safety with medical pursuits of scientific truth and compassion. Healthcare professionals who work in forensic medicine are truly public servants and play an important role in both the medical and legal communities.

• Forensic Physician Assistant.
  Physician Assistants are clinicians who are qualified to perform many medical procedures independently as they work alongside and assist medical doctors with advanced surgeries, techniques, and analysis. In many states, forensic physician assistants are licensed to examine victims, carry out investigations, and diagnose forensic related concerns. Forensic physician assistants often work in conjunction with forensic pathologists, medical examiners, forensic toxicologists, and forensic investigation managers.
  
  
• Medical Examiner.
  A medical examiner is often an appointed state officer whose duty consists of investigating and analyzing deaths that fall into certain, predetermined categories. Examples of categories of deaths a medical examiner investigates include homicides, suicides, deaths with unknown or suspicious causes, accidents, disasters, sudden deaths, and deaths occurring in jail or prison. His purpose is to investigate, analyze, certify, and document the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual. A medical examiner's work and documentation may provide understanding and evidence in legal matters. It is common for a medical examiner to serve as a medical witness in criminal trials.
  
  
• Forensic Pathologist.
  A forensic pathologist implements procedures that will allow him to determine information about the cause of a death. He analyzes wounds, injuries, and other evidence of violence in deaths occurring as the result of homicide, assault, or other malicious actions. In addition, he may also handle deaths that are the result of accidents, alcohol or drug abuse, or natural causes. A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor with specialized forensic training who often works in a medical examiner or a coroner's office. Forensic pathologists are often asked to provide expert testimony and explanations in criminal trials.
  
  
• Forensic Nurse.
  Frequently, forensic nurses serve dual functions. A forensic nurse assists forensic professionals in investigations by running diagnostic tests and researching medical histories of victims. In addition, a forensic nurse provides care and comfort to victims and to the families of victims. It is common for forensic nurses to specialize in working with one type of victim, such as sexual assault victims, trauma victims, or alcohol-related victims. Aside from working in hospitals, forensic nurses also work in the offices of coroners and medical examiners, sexual trauma crisis centers, university medical facilities, and correctional facilities.
  
  
• Crime Lab Director.
  A crime lab director manages a team of lab technicians in analyzing evidence in a criminal case. Working in this field involves performing drug analysis tests on accused criminals and victims, processing fingerprints, comparing DNA samples, performing polygraph tests, toxicology screenings and examining firearms. A crime lab director is often a lab technician with advanced experience and educational training. He manages the processing of evidence, approves procedures and test results, and monitors the preparation of the documentation that will be used in a criminal trial. It is not uncommon for a crime lab director to be called as a trial witness to explain the results and tests performed by his lab.
  
  
• Forensic Consultant.
  After gaining experience in forensic medicine, some healthcare professionals transition their expertise into consulting services. Forensic consultants are valuable resources for attorneys, medical examiners, crime lab directors, and other healthcare professionals who may seek a second opinion from another forensic specialist with ample experience in a specific field of forensic medicine. This is an appealing career alternative for forensic nurses who specialize in sexual assault forensics, trauma forensics, alcohol and drug forensics, or many other areas of forensic medicine.
  
  

Salary Expectations for Careers in Forensic Medicine

Careers in forensic medicine are not only important, they can also be financially rewarding. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that forensic lab technicians earn an average of $19.73 per hour, and the FBI reports that forensic medical investigators earn approximately $30,000 per year as a starting salary.

Nurses can earn anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 per year. A healthcare professional in the forensic field will find that his capability to earn income corresponds with his commitment to advancing his level of education. As forensic and medical technology becomes more widespread and sophisticated, it is expected that earning an advanced degree will become more common as well.

Certification and Licensure

Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN)
Sponsored by the American College of Forensic Examiners, a forensic nurse can become certified by passing the Certified Forensic Nurse examination. A CFN candidate can apply to take the exam once he has evidence of educational background in forensic nursing and relevant work experience. If a forensic nurse opts to apply to take this exam before he completes a degree program, he may apply to be a part of a special training course. A CFN candidate must score at least 75% on the examination to receive certification.

Certified Medical Investigator (CMI)
There are five progressive levels of medical investigator certification offered by the American College of Forensic Examiners. This certification can be attained by many kinds of forensic specialists, including forensic nurses, forensic pathologists, and medical examiners.

• A Certified Medical Investigator I must possess a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and five years of work experience. He must have a strong grasp on forensic medicine and pass an examination.
• A Certified Medical Investigator II should have a CMI-I or be a coroner, medical examiner, RN, or other forensic professional, and he must also pass a second examination.
• A Certified Medical Investigator III must be a CMI-II with five years of experience in the forensic field and pass a more intense third examination.
• A Certified Medical Investigator IV must be a CMI-III with a Doctorate degree in a forensic medicine related field. A CMI-IV candidate must also pass a written examination.

Finally, a Certified Medical Investigator V must be a CMI-IV with five years of related medical, investigative, or forensic experience and pass a final written examination.

Forensic Science Associations and Certification Bodies

• The American Academy of Forensic Psychology
• American Board of Forensic Anthropology
• National Association of Medical Examiners
• International Association of Forensic Nurses
• American Board of Criminalistics
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators

Explore Related Degree Programs

- Online Degrees in Forensic Medicine
- Online Degrees in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Online Degrees in Emergency Management
- Online Degrees in Public Health

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