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What are the pros and cons of forensic science and forensic anthropology?
Recently I've been running back and forth between forensic anthropology and forensic science. I understand the two are similar but I think that's why I'm having an issue deciding in the first place! I want to be able to compare the two to get a solid idea of what I may be working with in the future.
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Doc’s Answer
PROS OF BEING A FORENSIC SCIENTIST
VERY INTERESTING WORK - Maybe the most intriguing thing about being a forensic scientist is the interesting things you get to do. Compared to other jobs, being a forensic scientist is super exciting. There are so many jobs that pay well, and despite it being a decent paying job, the most alluring part of being a forensic scientist is the opportunity to do interesting work every single day.
VERY REWARDING WORK - Perhaps the best thing about being a forensic scientist, there is no doubt that knowing that the work is very rewarding is a positive thing to keep in mind as you work. In a lot of other jobs, you selfishly do things that don’t help other people. While being a forensic scientist, you won’t have this problem. You’ll be able to go home knowing that you helped solve crimes and defeat criminals that are inflicting tremendous damage and destruction on society. This will allow you to think of yourself as a savior of sorts.
CONS OF BEING A FORENSIC SCIENTIST
VERY DEPRESSING WORK - While this is a cool job and very rewarding, there is no doubt that there is also a lot of negative aspects of this job, especially the fact that you’re dealing with a lot of negative things on a daily basis. You will see a lot of death and crime, and this can sometimes affect people’s moods in a big way.
VERY STRESSFUL - Aside from having a lot of depressing aspects, the work itself can be very stressful. While feeling down can be downright annoying, being stressed on a daily basis is even worse. Stress contributes to shorter lifespans and a lesser quality of life, so if you feel that this job might have such severe effects, perhaps you should consider an alternative career path.
While the job has it’s pros and cons Kali, if you really want to do the profession, by all means, consider becoming a forensic scientist.
VERY INTERESTING WORK - Maybe the most intriguing thing about being a forensic scientist is the interesting things you get to do. Compared to other jobs, being a forensic scientist is super exciting. There are so many jobs that pay well, and despite it being a decent paying job, the most alluring part of being a forensic scientist is the opportunity to do interesting work every single day.
VERY REWARDING WORK - Perhaps the best thing about being a forensic scientist, there is no doubt that knowing that the work is very rewarding is a positive thing to keep in mind as you work. In a lot of other jobs, you selfishly do things that don’t help other people. While being a forensic scientist, you won’t have this problem. You’ll be able to go home knowing that you helped solve crimes and defeat criminals that are inflicting tremendous damage and destruction on society. This will allow you to think of yourself as a savior of sorts.
CONS OF BEING A FORENSIC SCIENTIST
VERY DEPRESSING WORK - While this is a cool job and very rewarding, there is no doubt that there is also a lot of negative aspects of this job, especially the fact that you’re dealing with a lot of negative things on a daily basis. You will see a lot of death and crime, and this can sometimes affect people’s moods in a big way.
VERY STRESSFUL - Aside from having a lot of depressing aspects, the work itself can be very stressful. While feeling down can be downright annoying, being stressed on a daily basis is even worse. Stress contributes to shorter lifespans and a lesser quality of life, so if you feel that this job might have such severe effects, perhaps you should consider an alternative career path.
While the job has it’s pros and cons Kali, if you really want to do the profession, by all means, consider becoming a forensic scientist.
So, forensics are pretty cool, right Kali.
Doc Frick
Updated
Jaci’s Answer
I studied forensic anthropology as a major in college:
Pros:
- Really interesting field
- Can take you all over the world if you are able
- Helping to uncover people's stories
- Decent pay if staying in academia/museum
-Practice writing a scientific dissertation
Cons:
- Long education process (need to get a master or PHD to go far in the field) resulting in large amounts of school debt without scholarships
- Need to be good at networking during and after college to find internships
- Hard to get into a BONES type job.
- Depressing, especially if working with recent deaths
Pros:
- Really interesting field
- Can take you all over the world if you are able
- Helping to uncover people's stories
- Decent pay if staying in academia/museum
-Practice writing a scientific dissertation
Cons:
- Long education process (need to get a master or PHD to go far in the field) resulting in large amounts of school debt without scholarships
- Need to be good at networking during and after college to find internships
- Hard to get into a BONES type job.
- Depressing, especially if working with recent deaths
Updated
Ivett’s Answer
Hi Kali,
Forensic Science and Forensic Anthropology are both fascinating fields that involve applying scientific principles to legal investigations. Here are some pros and cons of each:
Forensic Science: Pros:
1. Diverse career opportunities in various sectors, such as law enforcement, government agencies, and private laboratories.
2. Opportunity to make a significant impact on society by helping solve crimes and bring justice to victims and their families.
3. Continual advancements in technology lead to exciting new developments and tools in the field.
4. Interdisciplinary field that combines knowledge from various scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, biology, and physics.
Cons:
1. Exposure to disturbing and emotionally challenging cases, such as violent crimes and homicides.
2. Irregular work hours and on-call duties may be required, especially when working in law enforcement.
3. Testifying in court as an expert witness can be stressful and subject to intense scrutiny.
4. Extensive education and training requirements, often requiring a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field.
Forensic Anthropology: Pros:
1. Opportunity to apply anthropological knowledge and skills to legal investigations, particularly in cases involving human remains.
2. Unique and specialized field that combines elements of anthropology, anatomy, and forensic science.
3. Potential for international work and collaboration, as forensic anthropologists may assist in investigations of human rights violations and mass disasters.
4. Contribution to the identification of missing persons and the resolution of cold cases.
Cons:
1. Limited job opportunities compared to other forensic science disciplines, as the field is highly specialized and competitive.
2. Extensive education and training requirements, often requiring a master's or doctoral degree in anthropology with a focus on forensic applications.
3. Exposure to human remains in various stages of decomposition can be emotionally and psychologically challenging.
4. Fieldwork may involve working in challenging and potentially hazardous environments, such as outdoor crime scenes or mass graves.
Both forensic science and forensic anthropology require individuals with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with law enforcement and legal professionals. It's essential to carefully consider your interests, skills, and career goals when deciding between these two fields.
Forensic Science and Forensic Anthropology are both fascinating fields that involve applying scientific principles to legal investigations. Here are some pros and cons of each:
Forensic Science: Pros:
1. Diverse career opportunities in various sectors, such as law enforcement, government agencies, and private laboratories.
2. Opportunity to make a significant impact on society by helping solve crimes and bring justice to victims and their families.
3. Continual advancements in technology lead to exciting new developments and tools in the field.
4. Interdisciplinary field that combines knowledge from various scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, biology, and physics.
Cons:
1. Exposure to disturbing and emotionally challenging cases, such as violent crimes and homicides.
2. Irregular work hours and on-call duties may be required, especially when working in law enforcement.
3. Testifying in court as an expert witness can be stressful and subject to intense scrutiny.
4. Extensive education and training requirements, often requiring a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field.
Forensic Anthropology: Pros:
1. Opportunity to apply anthropological knowledge and skills to legal investigations, particularly in cases involving human remains.
2. Unique and specialized field that combines elements of anthropology, anatomy, and forensic science.
3. Potential for international work and collaboration, as forensic anthropologists may assist in investigations of human rights violations and mass disasters.
4. Contribution to the identification of missing persons and the resolution of cold cases.
Cons:
1. Limited job opportunities compared to other forensic science disciplines, as the field is highly specialized and competitive.
2. Extensive education and training requirements, often requiring a master's or doctoral degree in anthropology with a focus on forensic applications.
3. Exposure to human remains in various stages of decomposition can be emotionally and psychologically challenging.
4. Fieldwork may involve working in challenging and potentially hazardous environments, such as outdoor crime scenes or mass graves.
Both forensic science and forensic anthropology require individuals with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with law enforcement and legal professionals. It's essential to carefully consider your interests, skills, and career goals when deciding between these two fields.