TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
I am excited to be applying for the Forensic Scientist 1 position with the State Crime Lab in Anchorage, Alaska. I believe my education and experience make me an ideal candidate.
I have always had a passion for science and criminal justice, which is why I decided to pursue a career in forensic science. Prior to completing my most recent master’s degree in crime scene investigation at George Washington University, I earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in forensic science from Arcadia University. Throughout my collegiate career, I have studied several subjects relevant to this position including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, statistical analysis and biostatistics, forensic serology, and criminal law. In addition to these topics focused on biology, I have also taken a number of courses dedicated to crime scene investigation and other forensic laboratory disciplines including trace evidence, drug chemistry, and toxicology. Currently, I am a Forensic Evidence Technician with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. In this role, I am responsible for identifying, documenting, collecting, and transporting photographic and physical evidence
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During this internship, I gained practical experience by assessing and processing mock cases from start to finish. This included first testing the evidence for the presence of bodily fluids including blood, semen, and saliva, and continuing with DNA analysis and interpretation. During the DNA analysis process, I carried out all phases including extraction, quantification, amplification, and genotyping. After generating a profile, I performed statistical analysis and produced a final report. This internship culminated in a moot court exercise in which I testified as an expert witness for one of the mock cases I
We know that DNA testing is giving hope to the hopeless in prison. Margret Berger (2006) comments, “Even though the number of inmates released as a consequence of DNA testing is minuscule in contrast to the two million persons incarcerated in the United States, the DNA exonerations have had an enormous impact on the fundamental assumptions about the American criminal justice system and how it operates.” Changes like the desirability of the death penalty, the growing concerns on how forensic laboratories operate alongside the increasing interest in forensic science overall. For instance, as the number of exonerations continues to rise, the number of people being placed on death row is decreasing thanks to Supreme Court rulings that juveniles under the age of 18 and the mentally ill cannot be sentenced to death. The death penalty is overall losing its appeal to society, not just because of the DNA testing, but people become aware of the wrongful convictions of other crimes as well.
They explain the intense process of sexual assault kits. Through “a collection of blood, urine, hair, and any other body secretion samples” that take place, the victim is considered fully scanned (Burkey, Bensel, Walker 54). Once collected DNA along with any other evidence, gets put into the exam, it is sent off to a crime lab. This step in the process is where faults take place resulting in sexual offenders not being charged or ever brought to justice. A practice that should only take a few weeks, ends up taking many months or even longer.
Case: 15-012345 Frog Murder How to be a Forensic Evidence Technician We are going to be working on case 15-012345 today with Deputy Ferriter. Someone last night broke into the school and murdered a pet frog. We are going to be dusting for fingerprints, and walking you through the steps. Step 1: Find a substrate near the area that the criminal could have touched during the crime scene. Step 2: Take a brush and twirl it gently between your hands so the static electricity can move throughout the brush, after doing that, dip the brush gently into magnetic fingerprint dust.
Forensic Technicians are an important part of law enforcement. They make up 11% of law enforcement. That may seem like a small amount in the law enforcement field, but they have such an important role even in such small numbers. This is why I am interested in this field. I would love to play such a massive role in impacting the lives of the people in my community.
The one key physical piece of evidence linking Scott Peterson to the murder of Laci is the 6-inch dark strand of hair found wrapped around pliers on Scott’s fishing boat(Vries, 2003). Ultimately, the discipline that led to the death sentencing of Scott Peterson was Mitochondrial DNA determined to be that of Laci Peterson in the dark hair strands on his pliers(Vries, 2003). Mitochondrial DNA testing has been around many years dating back to its use of identifying the causalities of the Vietnam War and victims of the 9/11 attacks(Vries, 2003). There have been admissions of computer glitches and routine failure of lab equipment in the past, but this method is widely accepted across the nation as admissible evidence(Vries, 2003). Mitochondrial DNA testing cannot particularly identify someone, but it can statistically conclude when compared to a relative’s DNA a likely match(Vries, 2003).
Science has come a long way over the years. It has helped countless every day struggles and cure diseases most commonly found. What you don’t hear about however is the advancement of forensic science. Forensic science has helped solve countless cases of murder, rape, and sexual assault. In the case of John Joubert, it helped solve the murders of three young boys with one small piece of evidence that linked him directly to the crime.
Checks and balances must be in place to defend against improper expert testimony and junk science practices. Misconduct and negligence in forensic laboratories have led to wrongful convictions in several states. To help combat this scientist must continue to increase the trustworthiness of their work. It has also been suggested that a government regulated forensic oversight commission be adopted as a necessity in laboratory and field environments to help reduce
I am interested in attending the Marist Criminal Justice summer program because I want to learn more about the many careers in the criminal justice field. A criminal justice-related career is typically displayed on television on shows like “Bones” and “NCIS.” These shows probably do not accurately portray what a job in the criminal justice field is really like because they are meant for entertainment. I’m hoping to learn more about the realistic side of criminal justice in the Marist program. What interests me the most in this field is Forensic Science, the process of solving the crime and how forensic scientists and all of the other law enforcement agencies work together.
career journal activity: 1.2.3 Bone Detectives description: read interviews with forensic anthropologist and synthesize a definition of the career. my work: A forensic anthropologist is a group of people who investigate a dead body to discover its gender, ancestry, stature, ethnicity and other unique features about it. Through their investigations they can also discover how the victim may have died and other important background information that can move the investigation further in solving the case. A forensic anthropologist needs to be able to conduct research, know their bones, muscles and other body parts along with be able to make educated conclusions related to the received data and observations they find and make. activity: forensic anthropologist
Some examples of the different Forensic units covered are: DNA Analysis, Toxicology, Serology, Document Identification, Trace evidence, among others. Personally , I would
A positive aspect of this is that forensic scientists only need a small amount of a sample to get the results they need (“Forensic Science” 12). These samples can come from many other forms of identification other than fingerprints and bloodstains. A few moderate examples include strands of hair, tiny beads of sweat, and a saliva specimen (“Forensic Science” 12). Forensic Science Technicians stated that “crime scene investigators may use tweezers, black lights, and specialized kits to identify and collect evidence.” They also stated that examining autopsies prove to be beneficial in a crime investigation (“Forensic Science Technicians”
As we gone further along in history we can now detect DNA, DNA from dental, saliva, cameras, and facial sketches. “DNA databases have been raised using arguments from biomedical ethics; these databases are used in a complete Different context from other biomedical tools. Because they are used in the struggle against crime, the decision to create or store cannot be left by the individual. Genetic profile Instead, this decision is made by officials of society.” Annemie Patyn and Kris Dierickx Shows the pivotal role evidence has on solving crimes.
The educational path required to achieve my goal of becoming a forensic scientist will be a long, exhausting process. The different characteristics of forensic science- like the use of analytical techniques- is what sets itself apart from just any other science degree(Thorpe). Being just a junior in high school, KEES money plays a major role in helping me decide where I go