forensic chemistry

What is the job prospect in forensic chemistry?

What's the chance for a chemistry graduate with academic research work
using GC/MS (without any biochemistry courses taken but have some
biology courses) in forensic chemistry related work?

"Octa Ex" <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message
news:3fe8c6ab.178658984@152.91.10.200...


I would expect there to be a place for someone who basically drives the
laboratory work. Obviously the "investigators" would need a broader
experience, but someone has to do the actual lab work. If this is what you
had in mind then go for it. But as said above, if you want to be one of the
"CSI team" you'll need a wider background.

Barry Hunt

On 23 Dec 2003 10:36:14 -0800, [Only registered users see links. ] (curious)
wrote:


I know a fine analytical chemist with a broad background who's been
trying to get a job in the Illinois State Police Lab for 15 years.

Good luck, but it may not be as glamorous as CSI would make you think.

Bill Penrose

"curious" <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message
news:ca3e516b.0312231036.594a6219@posting.google.c om...

Good skills in analytical chemistry are useful for a laboratory forensic
chemist. Most of the money these days is going into DNA analysis but
skilled analysts are needed.

Look into the archives of the Yahoo group on forensic science for other
responses to this type of question.

[Only registered users see links. ]

"Barry" <[Only registered users see links. ].au> wrote in message news:<bsaipe$2oed$[Only registered users see links. ].au>...

I do not want to be investigative team. Just want to do the lab
testings. Are these jobs relatively in demand compared to analyt. chem
jobs in chem industry?

[Only registered users see links. ] (curious) wrote in
news:[Only registered users see links. ] m:


My two cents worth:

I think that most crime labs are relatively small, overworked, and
being mostly government employees, underpaid for their skill
levels. You'll probably spend most of your time testing urine for
drugs of abuse, unless the crime lab farms it out to a contract
lab. As another respondent said, jobs are probably scarce.

On the other hand, drug companies (probably the largest consumer of
analytical chemists) employ hundreds of overworked analytical
chemists, generally pay well, and you can spend most of your time
testing urine for drug metabolites. Some of them will even pay you
to get more education so you can broaden your skill base.

If all you have is a BS in chemistry, you are going to have to move
to the job if you don't live where the jobs are.

David

I'd gladly move to a good paying chem job, but it seems that most care
little about experience, and more about higher education beyond a BS.

Dave

David A. Webb <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in
news:[Only registered users see links. ]:


Yes, that's true. Most of the job ads posted at the annual American
Society for Mass Spectrometry meeting are generally asking for MS-
level education, with several years of specific experience especially
where mass spectromertic analyses are involved.

Unfortunately, this represents two unhappy trends: First, as you are
no doubt experiencing, the job market for people with BS or entry-
level skills is small, and companies aren't willing to invest the
time it takes to bring you up to speed. And second, companies are in
effect cheapening the value of an MS degree by bringing them in at
the technician level with generally little hope for advancement into
the scientist ranks.

I would suggest that your best opportunity would be to Google for
"analytical lab" or "analytical contract lab" and generate a list of
those in your local area or in an area where you'd like to live. You
might also look at larger hospitals that have associated diagnostic
labs, and soil or water testing labs.

Instead of sending your resume, call up and talk to the analytical
services manager. While you can tell him you're looking for a job,
what you really want to know is what skills he thinks most important
in a candidate / employee. Ask him what's the best way to acquire
those skills - whether it is hands-on experience, more education, or
higher education. You might find your skills are well-matched to the
needs of a smaller lab.

Good luck,

David

David Stranz <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message news:<Xns946150DBAA63Adavidstranz@216.196.97.138>. ..

Exactly!.


EXCELLENT suggestion.


Another excellent suggestion, i.e to call.