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In recent years there has been a
marked increase in the number of people seeking a career in forensic science. This
web page is designed to meet this growing community interest by providing basic
information about forensic science careers. The information contained herein is
appropriate for all ages.
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What is Forensic Science? |
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Forensic science is the scientific analysis and documentation of evidence suitable
for legal proceedings. Many people have heard the term “forensics” used to describe
school debate clubs. There is a similarity between these two forms of the word.
In academic forensics, political or other issues are debated between two teams using
a logical approach, and likewise in forensic science the debate (or comparison)
is between the physical evidence and the known or suspected circumstances about
an event. Forensic scientists determine scientific facts from the evidence they
evaluate and may testify as expert witnesses in civil or criminal courts or other
legal proceedings. It is the responsibility of the lawyers, judges, and juries to
prosecute, defend, and judge the guilt or innocence of an individual accused of
wrongdoing. It is the responsibility of the forensic scientist to present the scientific
facts in a fair, objective manner based on accepted scientific methods to facilitate
the decision.
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How Many Disciplines are in Forensic
Science? |
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There is no definite answer to this question, since the types of physical evidence
presented for analysis are immense and continue to expand. When physical evidence
is recovered, it is up to the police, prosecuting attorney, or defense attorney
to find the appropriate specialist to analyze the evidence. For example, if hair
is found in association with a crime scene, then a hair and fiber expert, who is
trained to analyze hair, would be the appropriate scientist to conduct the analysis.
The court determines whether a scientist qualifies as an expert witness to help
the jury interpret the evidence. Basically, there are as many experts as there are
people who have a familiar technical knowledge of the items submitted for analysis. |
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The American Academy
of Forensic Science (AAFS) is an organization of approximately
5000 forensic scientists located throughout the world. The AAFS is subdivided into
10 sections: |
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Criminalistics
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Engineering Sciences
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Jurisprudence
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Odontology
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Pathology & Biology
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Physical Anthropology
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Psychiatry & Behavioral Science
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Questioned Documents
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Toxicology
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General Section
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Each of these is described in more detail in the
AAFS Career Brochure. Below are some suggested links that
will contain more links: |
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Specialties in the Hamilton County
Medical Examiner Office |
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Two specialties represented in the Hamilton County Medical Examiner Office
are forensic pathology and forensic anthropology (see the “Pathology & Biology”
and “Physical Anthropology” sections in the AAFS Career Brochure for more information
on each). |
Pathologists are
specialists in the study of disease. Forensic pathologists are pathologists who
have subspecialized in medicolegal issues. A forensic pathologist must complete
medical school, pathology residency, and additional training in forensic pathology
(usually a forensic pathology fellowship).
Forensic anthropology
is the medicolegal study of the human skeleton. Forensic anthropologists assist
the Medical Examiner in identifying individuals who are unrecognizable due to burning,
disfigurement, decomposition, and/or skeletonization. Forensic anthropologists must
have at least a Master’s degree from a
university offering graduate-level specialization in forensic
work. Training and experience in archaeology is increasingly becoming more required
of forensic anthropologists. |
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What Educational Opportunities are
Available in the Hamilton County Medical Examiner Office?
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The Hamilton County Medical Examiner Office is funded primarily by Hamilton County
taxpayers. The State of Tennessee provides some services through the TBI Crime Lab
with state tax monies. The Office
of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Tennessee
provides educational and administrative support for County Medical Examiners but
does not directly control individual counties.
Our office has no university affiliation, and therefore no internship or fellowship
programs. We have no system in place to train or direct the professional development
of students in any field.
Please do not contact our office regarding the viewing of autopsies. This is a medicolegal
procedure that requires intense concentration and entails the discovery of sensitive
information that is not appropriate for public display. The procedure also involves
potential exposure to fluidborne and airborne pathogens. Therefore, the protection
and safety of participants must meet the standards ofTennessee
Occupational Safety and Health Administration(TOSHA).
Hamilton County cannot carry any liability for non-employees. |
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State of Tennessee Board of Medical
Examiners
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The State of Tennessee Board
of Medical Examiners, within the Department
of Public Health, is a physician licensing
and review board for physicians in the State of Tennessee. The State Board of Medical
Examiners has nothing to do with the administration of the County Medical Examiner
system, except for overseeing physician licenses. |
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Further Information |
Please check out the links and information listed here first. If you have not found
the resources for which you are looking, you may send email to MedicalExaminer@HamiltonTN.gov
Thank you for visiting our website, and we appreciate your interest in forensic
science.
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