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FORENSIC BIOLOGY
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What
is Forensic Biology?
A forensic biologist is a person with a biology degree
who works in a lab. The biologist processes the specimens that are
brought to him or her
by the police. It is the biologist who performs serological and DNA
analyses
of physiological fluids for the purpose of identification and
individualization.
The type of material typically examined includes, but is not limited
to,
blood and semen, collected at crime scenes and from articles of
physical
evidence. These types of physiological fluids are frequently generated
during the commission of violent crimes such as homicides, rapes,
assaults,
and hit and run fatalities. In
some cases, the biologist may
have to testify in court as an expert witness.
How
do I become a Forensic Biologist?
You must study biology at the university level.
In some
cases it is sufficient to work in a lab with just an undergraduate
degree.
Below there are some links to some websites for labs that employ
biologists
to process physical evidence for the police.
This link shows you what you need to work in a
police
laboratory in Canada. The academic
requirements for a specialist in the discipline of Biology and National
DNA Databank are: Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree or equivalent
degree
in one of the physical sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) or
applied
sciences (forensic, engineering) from a recognized university.
The academic
requirements for a technologist in the discipline of Biology and
National DNA Data Bank are: a Diploma in medical laboratory technology
or a diploma
biochemical technology from a recognized community college.
Here
are some schools you can go to study biology.
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