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The salary, education and requirements for a forensic anthropologist

I recently wrote about forensic anthropology, quickly explaining what it’s about and how it works. Now, I’d like to tell you a little about other job-related aspects, such as the salary, the schools and the education.

Forensic anthropology salary

As I said, most forensic anthropologists don’t work the job fulltime, but rather act as consultants whenever they are needed. However, if you were to get a job as one, you could expect anywhere from $37.000 to $70.000 per year, depending on the location, your experience, your degree, etc. The average is somewhere around $55.000/year.

The job is very challenging and depends a lot on the qualities of the individual performing it; thus, if you are really good at it, you will also learn more, earn more and get better job perspectives. If you’re not topping it off, then you can expect things to become stale.

Forensic anthropologist education

Ok, so what do you need in order to become a forensic anthropologist? Well, the answer is not simple. Aside from the graduate degree in anthropology (or human biology), you need to know biology, physology, chemistry, and, in some cases, physics or archaeology.

Now, I can’t stress the importance of your education enough! Forensic anthropology is a relatively narrow field, competition is fierce, so it’s better to specialize on one thing, for example facial reconstruction, or skeletal research, etc. There is not an easier and faster way to become a forensic anthropologist, and actually, it’s recommended you start doing it after your PhD.

Job opportunities

The job opportunities vary. You could work in a lab, and sometimes go on the field. You could work for the state, or an investigation bureau, or a private firm. You could work as a consultant for law companies, or with a forensic medic.

However, in most cases, the first thing you need to do is get a job teaching. This allows you to have a steady income while having much time on your hands to focus on your research, improving yourself, or acting as a consultant. Shortly enough, opportunities will roll.
Be sure to check the articles in the Forensic Anthropology series:
Forensic anthropology explained
Forensic anthropology schools
Forensic anthropology videos
How forensic anthropologists find out information from bones
Forensic Anthropology Jobs: where and job description

Forensic anthropology explained

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Forensic anthropology is perhaps one of the most spectacular and interesting fields in crime scene investigation. Anthropology is the science that studies humankind, culturally and physically, in all times and places, while forensic anthropology takes that knowledge and applies it in a legal context, hence the ‘forensic’ in the term.

The basics of forensic anthropology

A significant part of this field is human osteology – the study of the human skeleton. Why do human bones play such an important part in the forensic investigation, you ask? The answer is quite simple: in many cases, the body or bodies is/are in an advanced state of decomposition, or have been burned, mutilated, and are unrecognizable as a result. Bones on the other hand are the most resilient part of the human body, so if there’s a right place to look for clues, that’s the bones.

A forensic anthropologist should have broad knowledge covering several (more or less) related fields, because basically, he combines the study of physical anthropology, which studies biological mechanisms with knowledge of osteology, which deals with skeletons, all applied in a legal setting. But a to work in this field, you have to have at least basic knowledge of biomechanics, archaeology, physics, and more.

Forensic anthropology includes archaeological excavation, as well as examination of hair, insects, facial reproduction, medicine, but still, the most important job for such a forensic is to identify a decadent body based on the evidence – and there is more use for this than you might think. Regardless of whether the skeleton is , prehistoric, historic, or modern, and regardless of the conditions in which it was found, the main goals of an osteological analysis are the same: to reconstruct as much as possible about a person’s life from a thorough examination of his or her bones after death.

A small example

Say John Smith is doing some excavations to build a new house on the land he just bought; during these excavations, he makes a macabre discovery: a coffin, with a skeleton inside. A forensic anthropologist comes at the scene and notices that the coffin was sealed using nails, thus indicating a historic death, rather than a recent one. Or, if this is not the case, he will determine as much information as possible, such as race, sex, stature, age of death, looks, injuries or characteristic signs, etc.

There aren’t numerous people at the moment working in this field, but the work is extremely variable and flexible; it is also quite challenging, and it never becomes monotonous or boring. Many forensic anthropologists are professors (or at least start out as professors), serving as consultants whenever needed, at a crime scene or somewhere else. So if you see a physical anthropology teacher, than there’s a fair chance he serves as a forensic anthropology consultant.

However, recently, there has been a surge in forensic anthropology jobs; that’s not to say there is an abundance of them, but that compared with previous decades, there are many of them. You aren’t just limited to working with the police, you could work for an investigation bureau, or a private firm, or a law company, in archaeology, etc. The offers vary.

Still, the odds are you will be doing something else aside from this job. But that’s not to say you’re not important for crime scene investigations – on the contrary! It is only you who can provide extremely valuable information for the crime scene analysts, while also doing some work in the lab and uncovering the truth. A forensic anthropologist is a very valuable asset to most investigations, providing useful information that is both humane and useful in the investigation. Humane because he is the one who performs facial reconstructions, which is extremely important. Most of the times, the people found dead have been missing for quite a while, so identifying them when there is no other way provides much needed closure for the family and friends of the deceased. Basically, your work will be to determine the age at death, sex, population affinity, stature, abnormalities and/or pathology, and idiosyncrasies to (usually) modern skeletal material. This is also growing in importance at mass fatality sites, such as the 2001 terrorist attack at WTC, where identification of the deceased as soon as possible was very important.

Other information

Anthropology is a very of science that includes many specialties which usually fall under the areas of cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, or physical anthropology. The one thing that all anthropologists have in common is that they are interested in the study of human beings.

Another interesting thing is that the forensic anthropologist is the one responsible for taking care of the ‘body farm’, an outdoor field laboratory analyzing post mortem change and degradation. The body farm serves the purpose of studying human decomposition in varied circumstances, to study and better understand the decomposition process in the purpose of extracting information. However, there are only several of them located throughout the world – it is best to start early and search for a forensic anthropology school which will offer thorough guidance and opportunities.

All in all, forensic anthropology provides a challenging and rewarding medium for work, where your education is extremely important. It is possible you won’t be able to work solely as a forensic anthropologist, but rather offer some consultation. However, the field is continuously growing and developing, so it is definitely one of the jobs you want to keep an eye out for.

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Be sure to check the articles in the Forensic Anthropology series:

The salary, education and requirements for a forensic anthropologist
Forensic anthropology schools
Forensic anthropology videos
How forensic anthropologists find out information from bones
Forensic Anthropology Jobs: where and job description

How to apply for an online computer forensics degree

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Forensics now have to face a new challenge – cyber crime; and this is a totally different type of challenge, one that has little to do with ‘classic crimes’, and as a results, they are turning to the younger generation to find computer savvy individuals to help in their investigations – this is where computer forensics steps in.

Why should I apply for a computer forensics degree

Cyber crime is becoming an increasingly worrying phenomena, expanding at a amazing rates; hacking, cyber fraud, bank account phishing and so on are causing financial damage in the tens billions of dollars each year, as local government authorities from around the world are on an all out war with this new wave of cyber criminals. The bad thing is that the authorities aren’t so well prepared for this one, and because the problem has spread like wildfire, there is now a pressing need of qualified people that can take handle the situation.

So, the demand people with a degree in computer forensics is much bigger than you would believe, and this is a career that definitely provides some interesting prospects for those interested; you get to work in an environment where how good you are directly affects your results, your income, and your working hours. Still, due to the beaurocracy and, let’s face it, the lack of trust people have in computer buffs, if you want to get the job, you need a forensics computer degree.

What can I expect when working in computer forensics

A typical program includes coursework in computer technology or computer science and criminal justice. Courses in related fields like psychology or sociology are often also required. Lab work that provides students with concrete experience gathering and examining evidence is another important component of most programs.

Basically, a computer forensics degree provides the necessary background to investigate any type of crime that has been committed through the use of computer technology. Students will learn how to gather evidence and follow cyber bread crumb trails, they will be faced with a lot of practial courses and problems, will do a lot of ‘field work’ and internships.

For a forensics computer graduate, the options are varied. Prospects lie both in the private security sector, alongside public law enforcement; you could work for the police, or a bank, providing its security, or for a software company, or even for the FBI. With a degree in computer science you could even get a lot more ahead if it has a focus in computer forensics, because then a lot of doors open for you, especially in the government/police sector.

Why an online computer forensics degree?

Now, since we are living in the 21st century, and this is in fact a computer degree we are talking about, even if you don’t have the time or can’t in any way afford attending a campus requiring computer forensics degree, you still have a very satisfying alternative applying for an online forensics computer degree. There are a number of institutions in the US who offer such sort of accredited degrees, all though an online education program and simple search on the web will yield numerous insightful results. This might actually be beneficial for you, saving you some time in which you could ‘learn by doing’.

Either way, this novel branch of crime scene investigation is here to last – just look at how incredibly active the internet is, for example. Also, the competition isn’t so big as in other fields, so starting now might give you a big advantage.

The Crime Scene Journal

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In case you didn’t know, the is a peer reviewed journal that features the most interesting and top notch developments in the field of crime scene investigation and forensic analysis. The coverage includes but isn’t limited to: biology, pathology, psychology, anthropology, jurisprudence, criminalistics, engineering, computer forensic, DNA sampling, and many many more.

I highly recommend getting a look at it, just in case you want to find out what developments are currently being made in the field, and what directions of study can be followed in order to become a crime scene investigator.

Crime Scene Investigators: Uncovering the Truth [book]

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If you are thinking about becoming a crime scene investigator, but you’re not sure if you want to, or you’re not sure what being a CSI actually means – this is perfect for you. If you want to know how much of the CSI movies is true and how much is false, again, this is perfect for you.

Real basic stuff, starts from absolute scratch, treats you like a total rookie – which is good, if you are one. There is no censorship, no beating around the bush, nothing like this – just facts, plain and simple.

Crime Scene Investigator book: Behind the Yellow Tape

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If you are interested in becoming a crime scene investigator, I have news for you: the competition is tough. T-O-U-G-H. You want every bit of advantage you can get – and this book might be just that advantage.

Written by former trainers at the National Forensic Academy, the book takes you over a number of CSI examples, extremely diversified, from the all empowered Texas Rangers to the sophisticated NYPD you see in all sort of movies. You get to see the facts as they occured, you find out what the forensics results were, you solve the crime step by step along with the policement who actually did it. It’s uncensored, and it shows you REAL crime scene investigator cases, as they happened, with every bit of truth.

Even more, it gives procedural details, and shows you the kind of things that you never get to see on TV – how crime scene technicians rest not knowing when they will be called, or how fast do medical examiners examine corpses.

The only downside I can state is that the two authors speak a lot about the program which formed them, and it’s a bit over the top if you ask me; just simple mentions and explanations about the program went would have sufficed.

All in all, a fantastic book and one that will guarantee to teach you something you didn’t know about CSI’s – if you’re not one already.

Types of crime scene investigator

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If you want to get a crime scene investigator degree, then I applaud you ! It is indeed a very brave and interesting decision, but you have to know that what you see on TV is one thing, and reality is different. Of course crime scene investigators play a vital role in solving crimes, and of course they get a lot of action – but you have to love this job. It’s not everyday that you get an interesting case, but each case brings something new to the table, and that’s why you have to be prepared for everything that might come up; after all, this may be the difference between catching a criminal and losing him.

Crime Scene Investigator job description

Even though even now, most crime scene investigators are police officers, the number of civilians being hired for CSI jobs is growing more and more every single day, so your hopes of becoming a real-life CSI have a good chance of becoming reality. However, in order to do this, you have to know that almost everywhere you go, a 4-year college degree is necessary. Even if it is now, it is highly appreciated. Also, you have to know that the TV portrayal of CSI’s is slightly deformed: crime scene technicians don’t make arrests or aprehend suspects. No matter if you’re in forensics, or a technician, here are some things that are common, in every line of work.

– securing the crime scene as quickly as possible, thus limiting or eliminating the disturbance of any physical evidence that might be on the scene
– process the crime scene physical evidence, which includes taking pictures, searching for fingerprints, shoeprints, bloodstains, bullets, ballistics, or any other kind of clue as to what happened and who did it
-collecting DNA where it is possible. This is already almost a standard, and hair, skin cells, bodily fluids, or even a carelessly thrown cigarette can be decissive in finding the criminal
– documenting the crime scene and the whole case for future reference
– analyzing the evidence found
– reconstructing the events from the scene of the crime, using logical deduction and filling the gaps wherever evidence has been found.

It has to be said though that not all CSI personnel is responsible for the crime scene – those working only in the lab actually earn more (slightly over $50.000/year).

Types of crime scene investigator

Crime scene technician
The crime scene technician works whenever and wherever a crime is commited; he’s the man who should arrive first (or as fast as possible) to the crime scene. If you choose to do this, you will have to deal with messy scenes a lot, but there is almost no routine at all – guaranteed to keep you interested. The intellectual challenge is great, and it is increasing with each passing year, as more and more procedures are introduced. The best crime scene technician degree (crime scene examiner) is in natural sciences; forensic archaeology is an excellent and extremely sought after preparation. The money is not so good, but you will learn A LOT, and you will have chance to progress significantly as time passes.

Medical examiner
The medical examiner most likely cashes out the biggest paycheck. If you want to become one, you have to go through medicine and face at least 7 years of intense studies. Basically, the medical examiner conducts autopsies and tries to find out as much as possible from the victim’s body. The hours are uncertain (you have to work until you are done), and you will spend a lot of time cutting dead bodies – but the ingenious way that people kill each other will definitely fight boredom. If you are in medicine, then it is highly recommended that you select a residency with a highly forensic emphasis; if that is not an option, it’s not a major problem. Another interesting and developing field here is forensic odontology – doing the same thing, only with teeth. However, there are extremely few positions for this specialty available, as most people who do this are dentists who offer consultations.

Forensic engineer

The job of a forensic engineer is a lot like that of the crime scene technician, but you don’t deal with bodies so much; instead, you will be handling traffic accidents, fire investigations, and lots of other engineering-related injuries. The hours are better and the salary is bigger, but instead of natural sciences, you will have to focus on engineering; mechanical engineering, electric engineering, traffic engineering, thermodynamics, materials engineering, etc.

Forensic analyst (crime lab analyst)

The hours are steady here, the pay is good, but routine is almost unavoidable. If you want to help solve crimes, but don’t want to deal with all the mess and chaos, this is the right thing for you. Catching bad guys from inside four walls. DNA, spectrometry, and every other type of analysis you can think of – this is for you. Chemistry is without a doubt the best degree for this type of crime scene investigator, but occasionally you will face challenges from other fields, such as zoology or entomology, botany or anthropology, so any course from this area would be a significant benefit. The bad thing is that there are few positions which can fill up a forensic analyst’s fulltime, so you will probably want to find another complementary job.

Psychologic profiler
When most people talk about profilers, they have no idea that most of them are actually crime scene investigators; a double major is perfect here – criminal justice and psychology, but it isn’t mandatory. However, this is a growing field at the moment, and conditions and rates vary from job to job.

Computer forensics

The newest branch in the business, computer forensics is the part of forensics with the goal of obtaining and analyzing data from computers or other digital storage devices. Needless to say, all your natural science degree and criminal justice know how won’t help you this much when it comes to computer forensics. There aren’t many positions available however, and to my knowledge, there aren’t any colleges that will help you learn computer forensics. But it is a growing field, and with smartphones and all sort of devices invading everyday life, it will continue to grow, without a doubt.

The CSI process

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Crime Scene Investigation Process

Scene processing means the sequence of steps taken in order to investigate a crime sight. Even though the manner and techniques may vary between professionals involved, their objectives art similar: to rebuild the accurate circumstances of the crime by means of the identification of the series of proceedings and to collect substantial evidence that may lead to the discovery of the perpetrators.

Crime Scene Investigation normally begins at the site where the offense was committed. The area should be secluded and secured in order to avoid the destruction of vital physical proofs that may lead police authorities to associate the culprits into the victim. The size of the location to be secluded and secured differs with every case and series of procedures designed in order to protect and secure the evidences are followed.

The first police authority in the scene is accountable in avoiding unnecessary police personnel and civilians from going near the crime scene and frequently establishes a boundary around scene of the crime with tapes or sometimes ropes. If eyewitnesses are available, they are recognized and must stay outside the boundaries of the crime sight while waiting for query by the investigating team. If death has happened, a crime sight technician and investigators are asked to go to the Crime Scene in order to assist the police authority.

The crime sight technician is skilled in finding and determining physical proofs like hair, fibers, bloodstained objects, empty bullet shell and body fluids which can be seen in carpets, furniture, on walls and others. The sight and every piece of proof is photographed cautiously and then collected and conditioned properly to prevent contamination, to be analyzed later at the laboratory. The technician also writes a detailed report of the crime scene and also describes the evidences found.

The investigator interrogates witnesses, collects information from the police officer in the crime scene, the technician of the crime scene, pathologist, the coroner and other specialists that are seen in the scene like the forensic anthropologist. The investigator has the responsibility for managing the information to be given to the press. He will talk to the prosecutor the available evidences and some information in order to determine the lawful direction of the examination, since both have responsibility in the whole investigative procedure and for making a case if prosecuting persons charged with the offense.

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Gary Ridgway – The Green River Killer

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Crime scene investigators know him best: Gary Ridgway (born Gary Leon Ridgway February 18, 1949) murdered numerous women in Washington during the 1980s and 1990s, earning his nickname (Green River Killer)when the first five victims were found in the Green River. He strangled them, usually with his arm, but sometimes using ligatures. After strangling the women, he would dump their bodies throughout forested and overgrown areas in King County.

On November 30, 2001, as he was leaving the Renton Truck factory where he worked, he was arrested for the murders of four women whose cases were linked to him through DNA sampling. As part of a plea bargain, wherein he agreed to disclose the whereabouts of still missing women, he was spared the death penalty and received a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Ridgway was born in Salt Lake City, to Mary Rita Steinman and Thomas Newton Ridgway. He had two brothers and was raised in the McMicken Heights neighborhood of Sea Tech, Washington.

His homelife was somewhat troubled, as he witnessed more than one fight between his parents. As a boy, he had the habit of wetting the bed, and his mother was always the one to discover this. She would immediately bathe him and then humiliate him in front of the family, which had a deep impact on the young Gary Ridgway. From a young age he had conflicting feelings of sexual attraction and anger towards her, which will define him later as the Green River Killer.

As a young child, he was tested with the IQ of 82, signifying low intelligence (criminal investigators often point out that murderers are not always criminal masterminds), and had trouble in school, having to repeat a single year twice in order to pass. While in high school, he joined the navy and was sent to Vietnam, serving onboard a supply ship.

His friends and family described him as friendly but strange. His first two marriages resulted in divorce because of infidelities by both partners. Both wives claimed that he had placed them in chokeholds. In 1975, his second wife gave birth to his son, Matthew.

Throughout the 80s and 90s, he is believed to have killed 71 victims, according to hi testimony, some as young as 12 years. The victims are believed to be either prostitutes or runaways, picked up along Pacific Highway South. Most of the bodies were dumped in wooden areas around the Green River (Washington). The bodies were often left in clusters, sometimes posed, usually nude. He sometimes would return to have sexual intercourse with them (necrophilia). Because of the advanced decomposition, four bodies are still unidentified. Ridgway would sometimes contaminate the scene with gum, cigarettes and written material belonging to others, and he even transported some victims’ remains across state line to Oregon to confuse the police.

In the early 1980s, the King County Sheriff’s Office formed the Green River Task Force to investigate the murders. The most important crime scene investigators amongst them were Robert Keppel and Dave Reichert, who periodically interviewed incarcerated serial killer Ted Bundy. The interviews were of little help in solving the case.

Gary Ridgway was first arrested in 1982 on charges related to prostitution but became a suspect in 1983. In 1984 he passed the polygraph test which seems to indicate some form of sociopathy. It wasn’t until 2001 that DNA linked semen collected by forensics from the victims to saliva collected by the police from Ridgway. Some other victims were added to the list after investigators found microscopic spray paint spheres on the victims, being a specific brand used in the factory at Kenworth during the specific time frame.

In 2003 the now imprisoned Green River Killer made a plea bargain so he would not be executed and led the crime scene investigators to 42 victims and confessed for another 29. He confessed to more confirmed murders than any other American serial killer. On December 18 he was sentenced to 48 life sentences with no possibility of parole and another 480 years for tampering with evidence (10 for each victim).

Life in prison for killing by a home-made script

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This month, a 31 year old amateur filmmaker was sentenced to life in prison, by an Edmonton courthouse, for a murder committed following a horror movie script that he himself wrote. At the end of a four week long trial in which forensic analysis played a key role, Mark Twitchell was found guilty of murder, for killing, on the 10th of October 2008, the 38 year old Johnny Altinger.

Here is what crime scene investigators tell about the crime:

Mark Twitchell registered as a woman on an online dating service so he can lure his victim to the garage of a rented house. CSI agents agree that this is a very common ruse used by criminals to lure unsuspecting victims into their traps.

The crime scene investigators found a gruesome scene when entering that house. When he arrived, John Altinger was hit on the head with a blunt object (a metal pipe), stabbed to death and then his body was dismembered using a hunting knife. The murderer then tried to burn the victim, but, unable to do that, he dumped him into the city sewer.

Crime scene investigators found a thirty page long text on Mark’s computer which depicted the details of the murder. The text was written in first person and began with “This is the story about my turning into a serial killer”.
The chief criminal investigator, detective Bill Clark, is convinced that the amateur filmmaker is a very dangerous killer:

“In my opinion, we are talking about a psychotic killer that we managed the get off the streets of Edmonton. In my and my colleagues’ belief there is no doubt – if he wouldn’t have been caught, he would have killed again”.

With a few days prior to this murder, Mark Twitchell lured another man into the same trap, but that one managed to get away.

During the trial, Mark Twitchell claimed that it was all a joke and the victim became furious about it and attacked him. He claims that stabbing his victim in the heart was, in fact, self defense. Forensic science as well as forensic psychology were important in the jury’s decision, who did not believe this theory and sentenced him to life in prison.

Gary Ridgway – Green River Killer

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