Forensic Science Degrees in Maine

Forensic Science

Forensic science combines science and investigation in order to aid and support the prosecution or defense in criminal and civil investigations. While the profession has been widely romanticized by various TV shows, make no mistake – this job is most likely different that you expect. In contrast with popular perception, this is a highly scientific role, which often involves detailed, painstaking work. Field duties are limited to a few areas of expertise, and most often than not a forensic scientist will spend his time in the lab.

If you made it this far, though, congratulations! You’re taking the first steps in joining a very rewarding profession and itsGOV is here to guide you through what you need to know and what you need to do to join a forensic science program in.

Depending on the type of forensic science practiced, different degrees and educational backgrounds may help a candidate get a job and excel in this field. Regarding formal education, requirements vary across jobs, but you should definitely have a solid background in mathematics, biology and chemistry.

The National Institute of Justice, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, offers guidelines for model undergraduate and graduate forensic science degree programs. According to the American Academy of Forensic Science, strong programs should offer a curriculum that concentrates on scientific writing, laboratory skills, public speaking, and computer software application training.

The Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, which was created in 1926, provides forensic services to all law enforcement agencies working in the State of Maine. Using state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation, the forensic scientists of the Crime Laboratory compare evidence collected from crime scenes through its four sections:

Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Biology
Firearms/Toolmarks
Latent Prints

Forensic scientists in Maine conduct scientific analyses in the following forensic disciplines:

DNA analysis
Fingerprint and palm print comparisons and identification
Fire debris analysis
Firearms examinations
Footwear and tire comparisons and identification
Gunshot residue and distance determination
Physical matching comparisons and identification
Serial number and VIN restoration
Serological screening and bodily fluid identification
Toolmark examinations
Trace evidence identification and comparison

Forensic Science Requirements in Maine

Forensic science degrees prepare students to become forensic scientists who are called upon to examine and evaluate physical evidence using instrumental, chemical and physical methods of analysis. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees in forensic science prepare students to serve as expert witnesses in court hearings and conduct research on new technologies, equipment, and techniques.

Forensic Science Training in Maine

Undergraduate Level – A bachelor’s degree in forensic science provides students with competency in the following areas:

Crime scene processing
Evidence documentation and preservation
Justice system
Presumption and confirmatory testing of forensic samples
Judicial and courtroom procedures
Research and analytical methods

Graduate Level – Students seeking specialized training in the field of forensic science commonly seek a Master’s in Forensic Science. Some of the tracks within a master’s degree include: toxicology, drug analysis, forensic anthropology, forensic medicine, criminalistics, biological evidence, and forensic DNA analysis, among others.

Individuals who want to learn how to become a forensic scientist at an entry level must possess a bachelor of science in one of the following fields:

Chemistry
Biochemistry
Medical laboratory science
Molecular biology

Individuals who want to achieve forensic scientist jobs in DNA analysis must also complete coursework in the following:

Biochemistry
Genetics
Molecular biology
Statistics/Population genetics

Forensic Science Salary in Maine

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that forty people worked as forensic science technicians in Maine in 2012. Their annual median salary was $42,440 with scientists in the top tenth of their wage bracket making an average of $59,060 a year.

One primary employer for forensic scientists in Maine is the Crime Lab of the Maine State Police. The lab investigates 800 to 1,000 cases a year. Some of the analyses that scientists perform at this lab include:

DNA comparisons
Fingerprint and tire track comparisons
Fire debris analysis
Sexual assault tests
Weapons examinations

The forensic scientist occupational category includes both lab technicians and crime scene investigators (CSIs) who work at the scene of the crime. The primary CSIs in many states are civilians who work for law enforcement agencies or independent forensic labs.

In Maine, though, investigators and officers from the Maine State Police perform much of the crime scene investigation work. They are primarily based out of Bangor and Portland.

While many CSIs have specialties such as latent fingerprint or impression analysis, most of Maine’s CSIs are trained as generalists. They have a working knowledge of a wide range of forensic science. According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a crime scene investigator in the state in the year leading up to October 2013 was $49,000 a year.

Forensic Science Schools and Colleges in Maine

Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Maine

University	Thomas College, Forensic Psychology B.S.
Duration	24 months
Type	Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees	$33,560 per year
Program link

Are you interested in both psychology and the legal system? Forensic Psychology is the field where both areas meet. Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology may find themselves working with law-enforcement officials, in the court system, or in a rehabilitation or correctional facility. Obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree will allow students to work as forensic psychologists. Students may evaluate and/or treat individuals in many areas of the legal system, conduct research in a number of interesting areas, or serve the court system as a consultant or expert witness.

The Forensic Psychology program provides a strong foundation in the general discipline of psychology–the scientific study of behavior, thoughts and feelings. In addition, students train in specific areas related to criminal and civil law. Courses include Abnormal Psychology, Personality Theories; Psychology and the Law; Psychology of the Criminal Mind, Drugs, Addiction and Crime; and several courses taken through the Criminal Justice Department.

Faculty work with students to design a program of study to fit particular goals. The flexibility of the Forensic Psychology curriculum allows students to focus their classes on the areas of the justice system that interest them most, and they can also minor in criminal justice, sociology, political science, etc. Double majors are also possible. The core modules are:

General Psychology
Introduction to Computer Applications
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Experimental Design and Analysis
Foundations of Quantitative Analysis
Professional Writing in Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Psychology and the Law

Forensic Psychology Concentration Program Objectives Upon completion of the psychology program with a concentration in forensic psychology at Thomas College, students will be able to: demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology; apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation; respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes; weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline; demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes; communicate effectively in a variety of formats; recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural diversity; develop insight into their own and others’ behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement; demonstrate an understanding of mental health law, evidence-based practice, the distinction between forensic and clinical practice, the processes of the criminal and civil justice systems, and characteristics of various forensic populations; implement their forensic psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational settings that include courts, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities and treatment programs or further their education in graduate school.

University	Husson University, Forensic Science B.S.
Duration	24 months
Type	Full time, Part time
Tuition and fees	$31,434 per year
Program link

Providing science and criminal justice students the opportunity to qualify for entry-level forensic science positions within crime laboratories, police departments and medical-related fields. A student identifies key marks on a footprint.Forensic Science is the application of science to legal proceedings. A student pursuing this degree will study Chemistry, Biology, and Forensic Science as well as substantive, evidential and procedural law. Forensic science specialists examine and evaluate physical evidence, using chemical, microscopic, instrumental and physical methods of analysis. They may be required to work with blood and other biological fluids, hair, gunshot residue, drugs, fibers, paint and glass. Forensic science specialists also typically are responsible for preparing written reports on their findings, serving as expert witnesses in court hearings and conducting research regarding new technologies, equipment and techniques.

Jobs for forensic science technicians (those with a bachelor’s degree only) are expected to increase much faster than average. Employment opportunities for forensic scientists are expected to increase at an average rate. Job growth to some extent is directly related to crime rates and the number of civil action cases brought against companies accused of endangering personal or public health. The core modules are:

Criminal Profiling
Forensic Psychology
Forensic Science I and II
Forensic Seminar
Concepts and Issues in Forensic Science
Basic Law Enforcement Training

The goal of this degree will be to give science and criminal justice students a new educational avenue to pursue and the opportunity to qualify for entry level forensic science positions within crime laboratories, police departments and medical related fields. Husson University wants to respond to the current and future needs of the forensic science community for highly educated individuals to fill entry level forensic science positions. The field of forensic science is expected to expand in the near and distant future. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has made a commitment to improving forensic science in the U.S.A.

Master’s Degree Programs in Maine

There are currently no master’s programs offered in Maine.

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Forensic Science Degrees in Maine