For over 25 years I have worked as a forensic scientist, examining physical evidence, i.e. blood, fibers, bullets, hair, DNA, etc. in order to help solve crimes.

EDUCATION | B.S. degree in Environmental Toxicology with a minor in Biological Science from U.C. Davis, Masters Degree from San Jose State University in Biological Science with a concentration in Toxicology.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Many people believe you must first work in law enforcement to be a criminalist, but this is not the case. Those who work in forensics are classically trained scientists. For this line of work you must have at least a B.S. (Bachelor of Science, NOT a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree in chemistry or biochemistry, for example. Due to the exposure on T.V., the interest in forensic science has sky-rocketed. As a result, there will be new challenges and requirements. If you are willing to work, motivated to seize learning opportunities - including continuing your education to expand your capabilities - you could do well.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | If you are patient, detailed-oriented and don't need instant gratification, (the forensic process takes much longer than you see on television!), this career could be for you. If you're involved in crime scene work, you should have a certain amount of intestinal fortitude! You must also be calm and maintain levelheadedness in what may be adverse conditions.

how I got started | As a child I always loved science and was intrigued with puzzles and solving problems. As I got older, I was drawn to the idea of forensics because it is an applied science; I saw the connection and thought it was great! The definition of forensics is "the application of science to law." I first learned of forensic toxicology as an undergraduate in environmental toxicology and it piqued my interest. I began my internship in forensic toxicology while in graduate school at the San Francisco Medical Examiners Office. As I progressed through my career, I received a wide breadth of training in criminalstics at various crime laboratories in law enforcement.

why this job?| I really enjoy my career because I feel that through my work I am helping to make the world a little bit better place for people. I help convict the truly guilty and exonerate the innocent. The science is what it is - I can't and won't change the findings to sway a case. I am an unbiased participant in finding the truth.

why I love this job!| It is always fun, exciting and never boring or routine. Every case is different with different nuances.

my typical day| I work from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an independent full-service crime lab. Throughout the day I may answer phone calls from investigators and attorneys. I'll spend time examining evidence from a drug sample, or examine a blood sample to determine the blood alcohol level or perform a blood stain pattern analysis in a case or examine firearms related evidence such as bullets and expended cartridge casings. I go to crime scenes so I can understand the context of the evidence. I am also called on to testify in court about my findings. Sometimes this requires a good deal of travel. Once I had to go to Hong Kong!

what they are | In this field you must be sure of yourself and possess the skills necessary to be able to communicate confidently. You might do great work in the lab, but if you can't explain your findings in court, it won't matter. When you take the stand, you must be well prepared and exude a profesioinal demeanor as well as a high level of self-confidence in order to demonstrate that you know what you're talking about to the jurors.

all about growth | In government labs, if you have an advance degree, you can climb the managerial ladder. (But, then you are out of the technical side of things!) There is always new technology to learn in this field.

my website| www.forensica.com