Read a book about forensic science. (See Reference 1.) Many detective and crime scene novels, such as the infamous Sherlock Holmes books, focus on awareness and identification of crime scene evidence, but it is pertinent to your forensic studies that you select a modern textbook or recently published forensic evidence book. New forensic tools are developed regularly, so the most recent textbooks will have the most up-to-date information on practicing forensic science. Study the book carefully and, if available, take the self-exams at the end of each chapter to ensure you understand the material.
Take an online course. (See Reference 3.) Some traditional colleges offer online forensic science courses to current students, but many online schools also feature forensics classes. An online or distance study course enables you to work one-on-one with a professor or course instructor. Most online classes also allow you to interact with fellow students for a relaxed and informative classroom experience. Participate regularly in classroom discussions and chat room sessions to share ideas and converse with your classmates.
Study a forensic science website. Many online sites discuss the basics of forensics (See Reference 4) and give an in-depth overview of how forensic science works. Other websites are designed for current forensic scientists and offer information on forensics tools, as well as free online training. (See Reference 5.) Visit several websites to get a well-rounded view of the topic and take as many free assessment tests as possible to test your knowledge. For easier reading, use your printer to print copies of your favorite forensics websites. Study several hours every day.