{"id":3960,"date":"2025-02-14T13:30:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T18:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/?page_id=3960"},"modified":"2025-07-14T10:31:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T15:31:57","slug":"forensic-chemistry","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/studentservices\/careers\/forensic-chemistry\/","title":{"rendered":"Careers for Forensic Chemistry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>At Marshall University, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/academics\/programs\/forensic-chemistry-bs\/\">Forensic Chemistry<\/a> program offers a comprehensive and dynamic education that prepares you for a wide range of careers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4138\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/careers-wordcloud-forensic-chemistry-2.png\" alt=\"A word cloud featuring various careers in forensic chemistry\" width=\"740\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/careers-wordcloud-forensic-chemistry-2.png 740w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/careers-wordcloud-forensic-chemistry-2-185x300.png 185w, https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/files\/careers-wordcloud-forensic-chemistry-2-631x1024.png 631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Career Fields &amp; Popular Careers<\/h2>\n<div class=\"marsha-row mt-4 mb-4 flex flex-wrap -mx-2 lg:-mx-6  justify-start border-0 border-gray-100 first:mt-0\">\n\t<div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-6\/12  lg:px-6    mt-6\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tForensic Analysis &amp; Laboratory Work\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative rounded-lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"absolute inset-0 z-1 m-4 border rounded-lg pointer-events-none border-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-analysis.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-analysis-300x200.jpg&#x20;300w,&#x20;https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-analysis.jpg&#x20;900w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Forensic Analysis &amp; Laboratory Work\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"w-full object-cover h-48\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p>This group focuses on careers that involve analyzing evidence and conducting laboratory tests to support criminal investigations. Professionals in these roles work in crime labs, forensic labs, and research institutions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular Careers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forensic Chemist &#8211; Analyzes chemicals and substances found at crime scenes.<\/li>\n<li>DNA Analyst &#8211; Examines genetic evidence to help solve criminal cases.<\/li>\n<li>Crime Lab Analyst &#8211; Processes and tests evidence in a forensic laboratory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aafs.org\/\">American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iafs2023.org\/\">International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ascld.org\/\">American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-6\/12  lg:px-6    mt-6\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tField Investigation &amp; Crime Scene Work\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative rounded-lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"absolute inset-0 z-1 m-4 border rounded-lg pointer-events-none border-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-crime.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-crime-300x200.jpg&#x20;300w,&#x20;https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-crime.jpg&#x20;900w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Field Investigation &amp; Crime Scene Work\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"w-full object-cover h-48\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p>This category includes careers that involve investigating crime scenes, collecting evidence, and analyzing physical evidence on-site. These roles are often found in law enforcement agencies and private investigation firms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular Careers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Crime Scene Investigator &#8211; Collects and documents physical evidence from crime scenes.<\/li>\n<li>Arson Investigator &#8211; Collects and documents physical evidence from crime scenes.<\/li>\n<li>Fire Investigator &#8211; Examines fire scenes to uncover origins and potential crimes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theiai.org\/\">International Association for Identification (IAI)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nafi.org\/\">National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.icsia.org\/\">International Crime Scene Investigators Association (ICSIA)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"marsha-row mt-4 mb-4 flex flex-wrap -mx-2 lg:-mx-6  justify-start border-0 border-gray-100 first:mt-0\">\n\t<div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-6\/12  lg:px-6    mt-6\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tForensic Toxicology &amp; Pathology\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative rounded-lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"absolute inset-0 z-1 m-4 border rounded-lg pointer-events-none border-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-toxicology.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-toxicology-300x200.jpg&#x20;300w,&#x20;https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-toxicology.jpg&#x20;900w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Forensic Toxicology &amp; Pathology\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"w-full object-cover h-48\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p>Careers in this group apply toxicology and pathology principles to investigate causes of death, poisoning, and substance use. These professionals work in medical examiner offices, hospitals, and forensic labs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular Careers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Toxicologist &#8211; Studies how chemicals and poisons affect the human body.<\/li>\n<li>Forensic Toxicologist &#8211; Identifies toxins in blood, tissue, or other evidence.<\/li>\n<li>Forensic Pathology Assistant &#8211; Supports autopsies to help determine causes of death.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.soft-tox.org\/\">Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abft.org\">American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thename.org\/\">National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-6\/12  lg:px-6    mt-6\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tForensic Engineering &amp; Document Examination\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative rounded-lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"absolute inset-0 z-1 m-4 border rounded-lg pointer-events-none border-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-engineering.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-engineering-300x200.jpg&#x20;300w,&#x20;https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-engineering.jpg&#x20;900w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Forensic Engineering &amp; Document Examination\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"w-full object-cover h-48\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p>This group involves careers that focus on examining documents, materials, and engineering aspects related to criminal investigations. These roles are prevalent in forensic labs and consulting firms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular Careers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forensic Document Examiner &#8211; Analyzes handwriting, paper, and inks in legal cases.<\/li>\n<li>Firearm and Toolmark Examiner &#8211; Matches bullets and tools to weapons or objects.<\/li>\n<li>Forensic Materials Analyst &#8211; Tests unknown substances like fibers, paint, or glass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asqde.org\/\">American Society of Questioned Document Examiners (ASQDE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afte.org\/\">Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nafe.org\/\">National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"marsha-row mt-4 mb-4 flex flex-wrap -mx-2 lg:-mx-6  justify-start border-0 border-gray-100 first:mt-0\">\n\t<div class=\"columns w-full lg:w-6\/12  lg:px-6    mt-6\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"card flex flex-col rounded-lg overflow-hidden relative transition-all duration-200 ease-out shadow-sm self-stretch\">\n\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 h-1 bg-linear-to-r from-green to-green-bright\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"p-6 pb-0 pt-7 bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"uppercase font-bold text-lg tracking-wider leading-tight text-gray-900\">\n\t\t\t\tForensic Science &amp; Education\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"h-0.75 mt-4 w-10 bg-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative bg-gray-50\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"relative rounded-lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"absolute inset-0 z-1 m-4 border rounded-lg pointer-events-none border-green\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-education.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-education-300x200.jpg&#x20;300w,&#x20;https&#x3A;&#x2F;&#x2F;www.marshall.edu&#x2F;cos&#x2F;files&#x2F;careers-forensic-chem-education.jpg&#x20;900w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Forensic Science &amp; Education\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"w-full object-cover h-48\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"px-6 pt-4 pb-7 flex flex-1 flex-col styled-list text-[15px] bg-gray-50 text-gray-500\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex-1\">\n<p>Careers in this category focus on educating future forensic scientists and providing expert consulting services in legal cases. Professionals in these roles work in academic institutions, consulting firms, and as independent experts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Popular Careers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forensic Science Educator &#8211; Teaches students how science applies to criminal investigations.<\/li>\n<li>Legal Forensics Consultant &#8211; Advises legal teams using expert knowledge of forensics.<\/li>\n<li>Court Expert Witness &#8211; Explains scientific evidence to juries during trials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Career Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aafs.org\/\">American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theiai.org\/\">International Association for Identification (IAI)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afqam.org\/\">Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers (AFQAM)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/academics\/programs\/forensic-chemistry-bs\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"button button--secondary \">\n\t\t<span>Discover Forensic Chemistry<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Marshall University, our Forensic Chemistry program offers a comprehensive and dynamic education that prepares you for a wide range of careers. Career Fields &amp; Popular Careers &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":896,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3960","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3960"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4549,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3960\/revisions\/4549"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/cos\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}