Nerdy Science Blog

Although some forensic graduates faced some difficulties in my country, many people still pursue the path of forensic.

Thanks to various investigation TV series and movies (especially CSI), becoming a forensic scientist is a dream job of many people. By collecting and analyze physical evidence, such as fingerprints, blood, semen, saliva, etc., forensic scientists can use scientifically analyzed evidence to accuse a person’s guilt or innocence in court. You do not need to have the healing power to save the cheerleader, and save the world. You can easily save the world by nailing down the criminals with all the evidence they leave in the crime scene.

The average annual salaries for forensic scientists in United States are between $35,000 and $50,000. Forensic scientists work in laboratories and collecting evidences in crime spots, hence they are not required to have contact with any criminals. This minimized their risk being hurt by the criminals during the crime investigation. Most forensic scientists are employed by government, which means there is a high job security (however the job is limited due to the funding pressure).

Perhaps you can consider making your kids interested in forensic science. Buying them CSI Crime Scene Investigation DNA Kit may trigger their interests in such area. This CSI Crime Scene Investigation DNA Kit can train them to have problem solving mind, learn the basics of DNA, and use the real scientific equipment to discover the genetic makeup and history. This kit is only suitable for kids with ages 10 and above.

Kean Jim showed me a letter wrote by Wyn regarding to the future of forensic science undergraduates in Malaysia (Letter was written in Chinese).

As it is a demand for forensic science in Malaysia, Malaysia Royal Police (PDRM) and Malaysia Chemistry Department (JKM) had introduced the course for Bachelor of Forensic Science degree in local university, USM. The course was designed by them to teach them all the knowledges one needed in investigating crime, handling evidences, court knowledges, and also all the related skills. Wyn mentioned that after they graduate, there was no suitable positions in either PDRM or JKM. Wyn was confused why on earth the course was designed by them if it was not to train forensic professionals to aid in crime investigating. Wyn questioned if the course was designed just for the sack of it without thinking if there was any job vacancies for all the gradutes. PDRM explained that if people graduate with the degree, they need to be a police first before they can join their lab. Becoming a police in Malaysia is not an issue, but there is a minimum requirement as a police candidate, which is that one cannot wear spectacles (vision problems). As you know, science kids are nerds and most of us wear specs. JKM also rejected these undergraduates as they thought these people did not have enough chemistry knowledge (and the course was designed by JKM). Wyn also pointed out that one of the government owned TV channel was showing “Crime Scene Investigation” programme, which attracted more people considering taking forensic science degree.

Wyn felt lost as he did not know how would he do in the future. People who chose to take forensic science degree (as well as other degree) were not dumb, instead they were qualified to study medicine. We chose to do science was simply because we were really passionate in it. The same thing does not only happen on forensic science, but also biotechnology degree as government was promoting it heavily in recent years, and the job prospective in Malaysia is really bad (#).

(letter [pic][via])

Police can check the background of criminal via Chemistry Department’s DNA database.

With the passing of the DNA Identification Act police investigations on the background of convicts would be eased by checks with Chemistry Department’s DNA database.

“With this system, once a suspect is arrested we can straightaway check on the person’s background and profile, if he has previous convictions,” said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha. “However, we have to wait for the passing of the DNA Identification Act because we must have an Act to refer to, as this matter involves human rights,” he added.

Does this means that they can also use the DNA database to check if the convict’s family has criminal records (such as family raping history line) as well?