Forensic Photography Job Description, Salary and Career Requirements

Forensic Photography Job Description, Salary and Career Requirements

Forensic photographers work with law enforcement to record and preserve evidence in a criminal case. The photographer creates a record of a crime scene that police officers and investigators can use to determine how a crime occurred. Medical examiners use forensic photographs to analyze the details of a death such as the position of a body and injuries.

Forensic Photography Job Description

Photographers who work with law enforcement must be knowledgeable on the various types of equipment used in forensic photography, such as infrared or ultraviolet light, to select the appropriate imaging tool to collect photographic evidence. The photographer uses the tools and processes to develop clear images for law enforcement to analyze a crime scene. Individuals may also prepare the photographs that are used in criminal court proceedings.
Forensic photographers also capture images of victims and their injuries, which medical examiners use to determine a cause of death. Forensic photographers may be required to testify in court proceedings to explain the photographic enhancements or techniques used in the collection of evidence.

Forensic Photography Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual median salary for photographers in general, in 2012, was $28,490 (www.bls.gov). Also, employment for photographers between 2010 and 2020 was expected to grow by 13%, overall.

Forensic Photography Care Requirements

The BLS reports scientific photographers may need to obtain a degree to qualify for a position in this field. However, some law enforcement agencies, such as in Virginia, may hire forensic photographers with a high school education and completed courses in photography, processing and forensics.
A degree program can offer courses in different approaches in photography including photojournalism, scientific photography or commercial photography. Students may learn all approaches in the field, but specialize in scientific courses for a career in forensics. In a degree program, students learn lighting techniques, shutter speeds, camera mechanics, digital imaging and the use of color in photography.
Forensic photography workshops train students in the procedures for collecting evidence, the proper method to photograph a crime scene, photographing fingerprints and the use of chemicals at a crime scene, such as luminol. Workshops can also include instruction in the software programs used to process forensic photographs.

source: education-portal.com

Read More » Forensic Photography Job Description, Salary and Career Requirements

How to Become a Forensic Pathologist

How to Become a Forensic Pathologist

To become a forensic pathologist, one must usually undergo a minimum of thirteen years of education and training. This is post-high school education. The first step is to obtain an undergraduate degree in a medical or scientific field. A four year medical program will ensue afterwards, along the student to become an M.D. A licensing exam must be passed before this milestone, however.

After becoming an M.D., one must enroll in a four year residency in anatomic and clinical pathology. To become a forensic pathologist, one must enter an extra one year residency in forensic pathology. This residency will offer legal system training on top of the medical training already received.

The career field can only be entered after passing the regional pathology and forensic pathology board exams.

source

Read More » How to Become a Forensic Pathologist

Forensic Pathologist Job Description

Forensic Pathologist Job Description

Forensic pathologists are medical professionals who mostly study diseases of the body. This is called pathology. Typically, forensic pathologists are a combination between a doctor and a detective. They may work with crime institutions to determine various factors in a case that have been disputed. This may include cause of death, and forensic pathologists will often work in autopsy concerning murders, suicides, or manslaughter cases.

A forensic pathologist’s main job is to help the justice system in the solving of high-profile cases. These professionals are often called to bear expert testimony in court concerning the case. Their opinions can have a huge impact on the outcome of the case. They may also have to give their opinions to the media if it is an extremely high-profile case, so they must be outgoing and well-spoken.

While forensic pathologists often deal with high-profile court cases involving homicides and manslaughter, these professionals also offer their duties to non-suspicious deaths, those that died of natural causes.

source

Read More » Forensic Pathologist Job Description

Forensic Pathologist Salary

Forensic Pathologist Salary in US

Many factors will raise or lower a forensic pathologist’s salary level. Educational level and experience play a major role, as they do in every profession. Geographic location will also determine income, since pay-grades will vary from state to state. The employment opportunities for a forensic pathologist may make or break the bank account. Typically, government based forensic pathologists will rake in a better income than those working in a hospital.

The average of forensic pathologist salary in the United States is about $244,000 a year, or $118 an hour. This is a well-deserved pay-grade, and higher than a number of other professionals in the health and medical fields, though not all. Pathologists in the top 10th percentile could see up to $335,000 or higher in a year. This is equal to $161 or higher per hour. The lowest 10th percentile sees about $177,000 or less per year (about $85 an hour or less). However, this is still a very high annual income, and nothing to be ashamed of. The best numbers can be found in the middle 50%. These professionals will make between $209,000 and $292,000 every year. This is an hourly payment of between $101 and $140.

Benefits will also add to a pathologist’s salary. Between social security, pension, health care benefits, and paid time off, a forensic pathologist could make a salary with compensation of about $326,000 a year. This is a hefty sum of money.

Forensic Pathologist Salary in Other Countries (UK, Australia and Canada)

Typically, a forensic pathologist in Canada may make around C$81,000 on average. Australian forensic pathologists will make roughly the same, at around A$85,000 on average.
The United Kingdom is in roughly the same area as the others. A forensic pathologist will make around £50,000 annually. This rounds to about $80,000 in America.

source

Read More » Forensic Pathologist Salary

Forensic Accountants Job Description

Forensic Accountants Job Description

Forensic accountants can have a number of duties. However, they all relate to financial issues that must be examined in court. Some specific duties include litigation support, dispute resolution, and investigation.

Forensic accountants perform investigations when criminal matters have occurred within a business. This can include internal theft, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering, falsification of financial statements, and securities fraud. Many of these investigations are considered “white collared crimes”, relating to the business world and their financial accounts. Once the investigation is complete, other actions may be taken, such as law suit or criminal prosecution.

During litigation support, a forensic accountant presents factual information about financial issues related to the litigation. They may also be responsible for defining the amount of damages that are sustained by members involved in legal disputes before the case is presented to the court.

In dispute resolution, a forensic accountant can be used as an expert witness. They may be responsible for presenting necessary evidence to the court. This evidence can be used in the resolution of a financial dispute.

source

Read More » Forensic Accountants Job Description

Forensic Accountant Job Overview

Forensic Accountant Job Overview

Forensic Accountants work for accounting firms or independently as freelance consultants. They investigate incidents of suspected financial misconduct or white-collar crime, and help prepare evidence that may be used in civil or criminal trials, utilizing auditing and accounting investigative skills. In a nutshell they investigate financial misconduct by inspecting records, collecting evidence, and interviewing; may act as expert witness in civil and criminal litigation.

Forensic accounting is often referred to as “investigative accounting.” The term forensic refers to legal proceedings or argumentation presented in a court of law. Forensic Accountants are trained to analyze and verify financial records. They prepare reports that may be used in evidence at a trial, and may be called as expert witnesses, an independent authority, to testify at a trial.

Forensic Accountants analyze, interpret, and summarize complex financial statements and business-related issues in a manner which is both understandable and properly supported by evidence. Accountants coordinate fraud investigations with outside investigators, attorneys, and criminal prosecutors. They review suspect files referred by insurance underwriters and report cases of suspected insurance fraud to government agencies and the courts. If a company files an insurance claim after suffering a fire, the insurance company may hire a Forensic Accountant to verify that a company’s reported loss was as great as the amount claimed.

Besides working on business-related investigations, Forensic Accountants often work on criminal cases. They may be retained by the United States District Attorney’s Office, the courts, or regional and local police forces.

Forensic Accountants work in an office setting, using computers and telephones. Some travel is required, usually to gather information and present evidence at trials. Forensic Accountants work long hours under tight schedules, especially on litigation about to go to trial. This can be a good career choice if you are analytical, can work under deadline pressure, and have good problem-solving ability.

source

Read More » Forensic Accountant Job Overview

Forensic Accounting Salary (According to the BLS)

Forensic Accounting Salary (According to the BLS)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for all accountants and auditors is $61,690 per year, or $29.66 per hour. However, because forensic accounting is a more specialized field of accounting, you can expect forensic accounting salaries to be higher than average.

In fact, the average forensic accounting salary is closer to $73,000 as of 2012, though individual salaries range from about $45,000 to over $115,000 depending on your employer, location, industry, experience and education. Forensic accountants who have earned a masters degree will generally receive a higher salary, and your forensic accounting salary is expected to increase as you gain experience.

In general, if you work for a larger company or financial institution, your forensic accounting pay will be higher than that of a forensic accountant working for the government, a police department or a nonprofit organization. However, some of the highest salaries are earned by forensic accountants who start their own consultancies. This is because self-employed consultants or small private consultancy firms have much less overhead than larger companies. Thus, more of the earnings can go toward your pay than into the business itself.

source

Read More » Forensic Accounting Salary (According to the BLS)