In the court of law, evidence is the strongest advocate for victims of crime. Our legal system needs trained professionals to investigate, collect, and document evidence to determine the manner and cause of death, injury, and other trauma. Forensic medicine is an expansive field that offers many rewarding career paths applying medical knowledge to investigating crimes.
The University of Florida’s Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Forensic Medicine program is the first fully online advanced degree program in forensic medicine in the United States. The curriculum is designed for individuals interested in accelerating their careers in forensic medicine, forensic pathology, and medicolegal death investigation at any stage in their professional journey. This online program offers a unique opportunity to earn a graduate degree from anywhere in the world, making it convenient for recent graduates and working professionals. UF’s competitively affordable and flexible online graduate degree program provides the knowledge and skills required to excel in forensic medicine, whether students choose to further their education or enter the workforce after graduation.
Key Roles in Forensic Medicine
Graduates of UF’s online M.S. in Forensic Medicine program can pursue fulfilling careers within the medical and legal system. This graduate program prepares students for in-demand roles in law enforcement, forensic pathology, medical examination, crime investigation, and crime scene analysis.
Earning a master’s degree can also improve student applications for competitive medical schools and other graduate programs for a terminal degree. Explore some of the most popular career paths available with an online graduate degree in forensic medicine, along with insights into each role’s typical responsibilities, required skills, and expectations.
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Officer
Earning a master’s in forensic medicine provides a solid foundation for work in law enforcement, including aspiring police officers and sheriff deputies. Police officers and deputy sheriffs can have a wide range of duties and specialties, including assisting in crime investigations. They may collaborate with doctors, medical examiners, coroners, nurses, analysts, and other personnel working on a criminal or death investigation.
In addition to criminal investigations, they patrol areas under their jurisdiction, enforce laws, and protect the community. A successful police officer or sheriff deputy should have effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while being able to perform well under pressure.
Crime Scene Analyst
A crime scene analyst is responsible for collecting evidence and assisting law enforcement at crime scenes. This role may also be titled crime scene investigator, forensic investigator, or crime scene technician. A crime scene analyst’s duties include securing the crime scene, taking photographs, collecting samples, and collecting and documenting physical evidence for further analysis. They share extensive knowledge and insight throughout an active investigation and during legal trials.
To excel in this role, crime scene investigators must be observant, analytical, and keen problem-solvers. A deep understanding of laws and legal procedures is essential, as they must ensure that all evidence is collected and handled according to legal standards to maintain the investigation’s integrity.
DNA Analyst
DNA analysts play a pivotal role in forensic laboratories, where they meticulously examine DNA evidence collected from crime scenes. This forensic DNA analysis is essential for identifying suspects and exonerating the innocent, involving the extraction and examination of DNA from evidence such as hair, skin cells, and bodily fluids. In addition to laboratory work, DNA analysts may be called upon to testify in court, providing expert testimony regarding their findings and the methodologies used.
This role requires a robust foundation in forensic science, chemistry, biology, and molecular biology. Key skills for DNA analysts include superior analytical abilities, keen observational skills, and strong critical thinking. To pursue a career as a DNA analyst, individuals must earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, while candidates with a master’s degree are preferred. This educational background, combined with practical experience, prepares DNA analysts to perform their crucial duties with precision and consistency.
Forensic Pathology
Medicolegal Death Investigator
A medicolegal death investigator aids coroners and medical examiners in conducting death investigations. They observe and investigate crime scenes, paying special attention to deceased victims to determine what transpired during violent, unexpected, or suspicious deaths. Their duties include gathering and documenting evidence and data essential for determining the time and causes of death. Given their pivotal role in crime investigations, medicolegal death investigators need a robust educational background in forensic medicine and law. To excel in their career, medicolegal death investigators must demonstrate strong observational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Coroner
A coroner determines the time and cause of death for deceased individuals. They often assist in crime and death investigations by examining bodies and evidence to identify victims and confirm their causes of death. Coroners visit crime scenes, perform autopsies and medical examinations, transport remains, and complete official death certificates.
To become a coroner, one must have an educational background in forensic science, biology, and physiology. Coroners should have strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with law enforcement, doctors, and families. Additionally, a successful coroner possesses robust emotional intelligence, superior attention to detail, excellent analytical skills, and healthy stress management abilities.
Medical Examiner
Not to be confused with a coroner, a medical examiner is a similar yet distinct profession. A medical examiner is a licensed physician, and medical doctors can be appointed to this position due to their expertise in forensic science and forensic medicine. Like coroners, medical examiners determine the time and cause of death by analyzing the physical condition of deceased individuals. They may also issue death certificates and maintain death records.
Medical examiners perform autopsies, conduct medical exams, compile toxicology reports, evaluate evidence, and collect samples. Aspiring medical examiners should be prepared to attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.
Forensic Pathologist
Forensic pathologists are doctors who analyze and examine the bodies of deceased victims to determine the time and cause of death. They perform autopsies to detect the presence or absence of diseases, injuries, poisons, or other potential causes of death while collecting medical evidence to assist in crime and death investigations.
To become a forensic pathologist, one must complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Additionally, they must complete a one-year forensic pathology residency and pass the regional pathology and forensic pathology board exams. Successful forensic pathologists receive rigorous training in both traditional medicine and forensic sciences.
Forensic Nurse
Forensic nurses are specialized registered nurses (RNs) who focus on the care of victims of crime, violence, and abuse. They must work with law enforcement, medical examiners, and victims. Forensic nurses have the same responsibilities as other nurses, including interviewing patients, administering treatment, recording vitals, and assisting physicians. Given their specialization, forensic nurses’ additional tasks include collecting evidence, photographing injuries, and testifying in court. Aspiring forensic nurses should be prepared to undergo the standard requirements to become an RN, with added specialized training and certification in forensics.
Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic anthropologists primarily work with skeletal remains to help identify victims and probable causes of death. They participate in criminal investigations alongside law enforcement and medical examiners. Unlike medical examiners, forensic anthropologists typically work with older or more decomposed remains to collect skeletal evidence rather than analyzing DNA and biological fluids or tissue.
Their key responsibilities include recovering human remains, examining the remains, interpreting bone trauma, estimating the time of death, and testifying in court. A successful forensic anthropologist should be analytical and observant, with excellent knowledge of biology and human anatomy. Positions in forensic anthropology typically require a master’s or doctoral degree.
ABOUT THE ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FORENSIC MEDICINE
The 100% online, instructor-led Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Forensic Medicine is designed for students and working professionals seeking to apply medical knowledge to the investigation of crime. Our unique program emphasizes the practical exercise of forensic medicine in the forensic sciences and medicolegal death investigation rather than on academic or research tracks alone. This fully online program is ideal for professionals interested in accelerating their careers in forensic medicine, forensic pathology, and medicolegal death investigation.