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Forensic Scientist
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Scientist (Forensic), Fire Investigator, Criminalist )
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Duties and Tasks
Forensic scientists may perform the following tasks: - identify illicit drugs
- analyse drugs and poisons in human tissue and body fluids, including blood alcohol results
- examine and compare materials such as fibres, paints, cosmetics, oils, petrol, plastics, glass, metals, soils and gunshot residues
- examine human and animal biological material to be compared with victims and suspects using DNA profiling
- conduct botanical identification of plant materials at trace levels and whole-plant identification (e.g. cannabis)
- conduct document examinations, both physical (e.g. handwriting, typewriting) and chemical (e.g. analysis of inks and papers)
- examine crime scenes
- identify firearms and ammunition (forensic ballistics)
- detect, enhance, recover and identify latent fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, shoe marks, tyre marks and tracks
- examine fire and explosion scenes to establish the origin and cause
- improve the clarity of and analyse audio recordings
- produce reports, appear in court and present scientific and/or opinion testimony accurately and in a manner which is readily understood by the court
- make presentations to a wide variety of audiences on the work of forensic scientists
- keep contact with, and provide advice to, police investigators, scientists and pathologists across a broad range of disciplines.
Specialisations
A wide range of expertise is required for forensic investigations. A forensic scientist may specialise in chemistry, physics, biochemistry, molecular biology, botany, geology, metallurgy, pharmacology, toxicology, crime scene examination, firearms examination, fingerprint and document examination.
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Earnings
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Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Life Scientists
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Income per Week
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Number
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Share (%)
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| $1000 or more |
2,586 |
62.4 |
| $400 - $599 |
190 |
4.6 |
| $600 - $799 |
463 |
11.2 |
| $800 - $999 |
824 |
19.9 |
| Less than $400 |
80 |
1.9 |
Copyright 2007 education.au
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This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Life Scientists
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Employment Status
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Weekly Income ($)
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| Full-time |
1,339 |
| Part-time |
611 |
Copyright 2007 education.au
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This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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Related Courses
New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.
Further Information
Department of Forensic Medicine
Forensic Science Liaison Unit
Forensic Science SA
Manager Forensic and Data Services, Business Support, Australian Federal Police
National Institute of Forensic Science Australia
Northern Territory Police, Forensic Science Division
NSW Police, Recruitment Branch
PathWest
Police Recruiting Branch, WA Police Academy
Police Recruiting Section, South Australia Police
Queensland Police Service, Recruitment Section
Recruiting Centre, Tasmania Police Headquarters
The Police Recruitment Officer, Northern Territory Police
Victoria Police Recruitment Services Branch, Victoria Police Centre
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Occupation Video - Forensic Anatomist
Video courtesy of ABC's Ace Day Jobs series  |
Quick Facts
