Resources

If you have an undergraduate degree in criminology, psychology, sociology, or history under your belt and you’re exploring your options for higher education, you might consider pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice. While many people today are interested in careers preventing crime, thanks to the many TV dramas and surging popularity of true crime podcasts, there is still plenty of room for entrants into this fascinating field.

Forensic psychology focuses on the intersection of the justice system and the understanding of the mind. While there is a large interest in careers within this arena of the psych community, some are deterred from pursuing it as a career because of what it takes to gain the required master’s degree in forensic psychology.

The field of nuclear forensics requires extensive scientific knowledge, including familiarity with various nuclear and radiation processes, as well as some degree of investigative skill. Duties might require going into the field to measure isotopes, searching for other traces, and then spending time in the lab analyzing information and comparing data to other known nuclear signatures.

One of the biggest debates in education is how to find a proper balance between theory and practical applications to help students master complex subjects. Focusing on theory can provide a strong foundation, while hands-on experiences provide lessons beyond what can be absorbed in books and lectures.

Today, investigators can solve cases using computer programs to generate possible facial images of suspects or victims based on DNA.

As cybercrimes such as state-sponsored attacks, “smart spam,” and ransomware continue to proliferate, so too will the career opportunities for people with degrees in digital forensics. Check out this guide to high-growth careers in this field.

Within the forensic community, there is a definite sense of curiosity and eagerness about the value of re-approaching older open cases with fresh eyes and new investigative tools. Crimes that baffled detectives when they occurred or were poorly investigated the first time may benefit from outside observers and modern investigative practices.

While a majority of people currently use the technology for entertainment, those within the field of forensics are coming to realize VR’s potential to be a powerful tool in pursuit of justice.