• Question: how long do you have to go to university and do you have to go to certain universities to become a forensic athropologist?

    Asked by balamory to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 16 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Hi @balamory

      I’m afraid I’m now sure how long it would take to become a forensic anthropologist. I’m a neuroscientist and I studied at university for 4 years and then did a PhD which took another 4-5 years but it varies between people and subjects.

      Different universities do different courses so if you want to do forensics at uni, you might have to look up on their websites which ones do and dont teach it.

      Is it possible for you to ask this question in the Forensic Zone? They would know more than me!

      I hope this helps a little and good luck!

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi @balamory
      I don’t know either, in fact I don’t even know what a forensic anthropologist would do? Sounds fun though 🙂

      There is a forensics zone taking part, so I’ve sent out a plea on twitter for one of them to head over here and speak to you 🙂

Comments

  • Photo: Sue

    Sue commented on :

    Hi @balamory

    I’m not a forensic anthropologist but I am a forensic scientist. In general, you don’t have to have a degree to get into forensic science but you do need one if you want to reach the level of an expert witness (i.e. someone who goes to court to explain the forensic evidence used in a case.)

    There are some good forensic science degree courses on offer that the moment — Staffordshire and UCLAN are two that I can think of — but your degree really just needs to be in science, and most of your specialist training happens when you get a forensic science job.

    I have a degree and a masters, both in science but not forensic science. When I got my job with the Forensic Science Service, the training was pretty intense and lasted over a year. That was before I was ever allowed to go near a real life case! Even after the initial training, our learning is a continual process. I think that’s probably true of all science. There’s always something new to learn, and as scientists, we enjoy that. That might be why most of us chose to be scientists in the first place. 🙂

  • Photo: Anna

    Anna commented on :

    Thanks to Suzi Gage and my fellow Forensic zone scientists for pointing out this question.
    Hello balamory! I am a forensic anthropologist, nice to meet you! 🙂
    It takes 3 years of undergraduate degree – this can be in archaeology, anthropology, biology or anatomy. There are one or two actual Forensic Anthropology undergraduate degrees out there, but I think it is better to do a traditional science and then specialise once you have this grounding. Then you need to do a one year Masters degree, in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology, or Forensic Anthropology and Crime Scene Science for example. There are about 5 universities that offer Masters courses that would be relevant. Then, to be a fully qualified anthropologist, you need to go on to do a PhD. So, in total, 7 years! Some people miss out the Masters course, but personally, I think it helps a lot. After you have done all that at uni, you need to become a member of a professional organisation that monitors your expertise and tests your competency, so you can practice as a forensic anthropologist and the police use you.

    And, on top of that, you never stop learning! Every case is different, and the more experience you get, the better. I would whole-heartedly recommend it – it is a very interesting and worthwhile career. If you have any more questions, feel free to ASK me – I’m in the Forensic zone. Or you can email me with more questions!

  • Photo: Suzi

    Suzi commented on :

    Thanks Sue and Anna from Forensic zone!!! A brilliant example of science collaboration (sort of) 🙂