The student contemplating a career as a crime lab analyst should consider enrolling in a forensic science degree program designed specifically for future crime lab analysts and criminal and crime scene investigators. For example, the University of Baltimore offers a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic studies that has a specific concentration requiring courses in chemistry, biology and physics. This includes opportunities to work in the Baltimore Police Department's crime lab as well as in campus labs. Students experience evidence gathering, analysis and courtroom presentation. Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis offers a multi-discipline degree program that allows students to focus on chemistry or biology. Additionally, students learn photography, law and other key studies, plus they intern in crime labs.
There are a wide variety of paths that a crime lab analyst can pursue from ballistics and trace evidence to toxicology and pathology. For example, analysts who specialize in trace evidence work in the most diverse field of crime lab investigation. Trace evidence can be a strand of hair, a smudge of dirt or a bit of flammable residue. Forensic ballistics as applied to a crime lab investigation generally involves comparing a recovered bullet against one fired from a suspected gun. However, ballistics can also imply the study of firearms and associated ammunition, a good foundation for a forensic analyst. While forensic pathology is mostly a medical forensic specialty, the crime lab analyst needs to understand and be able to interpret medical findings. There are many other areas in which the crime lab analyst can specialize. Most forensic degree programs allow students to gain knowledge in each area to better determine their own special interests.
George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offers a master's degree program with five specific disciplines, of which four are on campus and one, high technology crime investigation, is and off-campus program. High technology crime investigation focuses on the emerging field of computer/electronic forensics, a discipline through which experts can recover and analyze valuable computer/electronic information during an investigation. As a growing problem, high-tech crime is creating a need for more crime lab analysts to specialize in the field. Marshall University in West Virginia offers a Master of Science degree in forensic science with four specific areas, among them computer forensics. Marshall also offers crime scene investigation, DNA analysis and forensic chemistry. Unlike many other programs, Marshall's two-year program affords students wide latitude and encouragement to pursue multiple disciplines.