Anyone with experience of a scene of crime officer?

dmg24

freakyogre wrote: »

just worried i've left it too late myself now.

You are 24. Nothing is too late at 24!

athenajm

I started doing a degree in Forensic Science a few years ago (had to drop out for various reasons unfortunately) and we were told by the lecturers that although technically SOCOs (who incidentally are beginning to be called CSIs as people are used to hearig the term on TV so understand what it means more than if someone introduces themselves as a SOCO!?!) don't NEED a degree, because there are so mnay applicants for so few jobs, it is now very rare to get into the field without a related degree (ie Forensic Science). One lecturer said he even had an assistant (£12K salary, entry level job which was advertised as only needing 5 GCSEs) who had a BSc, MSc AND Phd, simply because there are so few jobs.
The degree is tedious at times, depends if you like chemistry and drawing very exact plans (ie of crime scenes), but some of it is awesome. we got to hit sponges that were soaked in 'blood' to study blood spatter, and cast footprints.
Glamorgan university in Wales, Bournemouth and Bradford have the best forensic courses outside of London.
Good luck if you decide to go through with it.

nexuss

Staffordshire university also has a forensic science course and they also have plenty of props including many properties mocked up as crime scenes.My advice would be to do one of these courses whilst also getting involved with the police in a minor work capacity.

scrooge2008

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/06/09/axe-threat-to-800-csi-jobs-by-2011-115875-21426397/

Looks like this area is being hit with redundancies too. Not many secure jobs out there now.

Oldernotwiser

Many universities rebranded and dumbed down existing science courses, renaming them a Forensic Science rather than Chemistry, to attract students. Anyone wanting to go into this field would put themselves in a far better position by doing a traditional Chemistry degree, regardless of how much less "sexy" this might sound.

Runnybabbit

Hi

My neice qualified as a Forensic Scientist 2 years ago :T. She also studied Criminal Justice in the hope of furthering and developing her career which gave her a better choice of job.

Due to lack of work available she currently works for the local Authority doing something which she's had no training for and doesn't particularly enjoy - and it's certainly not Forensic related !.

I've seen some Police forces advertising for Forensic assistants, maybe you could look at that and work your way up from there ?

I'm all in favour of anyone wanting to follow their dreams so please don't think this is a 'put me down' post - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Good luck
Babbit x

Oldernotwiser

Don't forget that you can do a Chemistry degree with the OU, for which you don't need specific entry qualifications. If on a low income or benefits you may get course fees paid for and you can work (or claim benefits) whilst doing it.

suseh97

My sister was interested in a career in forensics. Her careers advisor at school gave her exactly the same advice. That there a very few jobs in the world not just UK in forensics. Sister went away and had a good long think about this. She has now decided to try and get into the police after University.

freakyogre

Thank you for all your replies, sorry I haven't had a chance to reply sooner.

snowqueen555

i wnana do that, there are actually a several advertised in avon and somerset constabulary, BUT everywhere is looking for previous experience.. CATCH 22