Several undergraduate paths lead into the forensic sciences. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will prepare you for a job in law enforcement and lay the foundation for a career in forensics. A bachelor’s degree in anthropology will prepare you for working with bones, clay and other aspects of forensic sculpting. College anthropology departments teach forensic sculpting classes, and some of these courses may be available at the undergraduate level. However, most universities offer degrees specifically for forensics only at higher levels, such as through master’s degree programs.
To become a professional forensic sculptor, you need an advanced degree. A master’s degree in the forensic sciences is an option for those who wish to work with law enforcement at crime scenes or in labs. However, for forensic sculpting, a master’s degree in forensic anthropology will give you the knowledge and skills to become a specialist in skeletal biology and forensic pathology. Forensic sculptors need detailed knowledge about bones; forensic anthropology provides that knowledge.
To be a forensic sculptor, you also need classes in facial reconstruction. These may be part of your master’s degree program in forensic anthropology or be offered in addition to graduate level classes in forensic sciences. When you are applying to graduate school, verify that the university offers classes in facial reconstruction or forensic sculpting. If you attend a college without these courses, certifications are available in forensic art from national forensic associations such as the International Association for Identification. Once you have completed a master’s degree, work toward a certification in forensic sculpting since certification will make you more employable.
Professional forensic artists offer facial reconstruction workshops for professionals at universities and through conferences. These workshops often come with continuing education credits for those already in the forensic sciences. If you earn a certification in facial reconstruction, you may need continuing education to remain certified.