Criminologists may be called to crime scenes to assist with law enforcement.
Criminology is the study of crime and the social behavior of suspected criminals. This field also studies the effects of crime to aid in law enforcement. There are a variety of different criminology jobs available for people interested in pursuing a career in criminology.
Criminology jobs may require a person to have specific criminal justice education and training. The criminologist may also have experience in law enforcement. Jobs are usually offered in the private sector or in law enforcement agencies.
Forensic pathologists perform autopsies on cadavers to determine the cause of death.
One of the important jobs in criminology focuses on forensic science. A person working in this field can work as a forensic pathologist. This trained professional has studied forensic science and often analyzes the facts from a legal and scientific point of view. He may also review crime scene information in a lab.
Criminal profilers, another criminology profession, often work with local and federal departments. Their job is to provide a psychological and social history of the potential criminal.
A crime lab analyst inspects material evidence from a crime scene.
Another criminology job is that of a crime scene investigator or technician. This person usually goes to the place where the alleged crime was committed to review the evidence. The technician usually prepares a report to provide the results to local law enforcement departments. The investigators may also have to testify in court regarding the information obtained.
A criminal investigator may be responsible for interviewing and following up on witnesses to a crime.
Prisons often have criminologists on staff. These people may spend a lot of time talking to inmates to get an assessment of their mental state. Review boards can also work with a criminologist in deciding whether to release an inmate.
Criminologists are also used in the field of computer forensics. If a person is suspected of using a computer for something illegal, a criminologist can analyze the activity on the person’s computer. This usually includes checking internet usage and downloaded files.
Juvenile offender programs often use criminologists. They may consider a study of the young offender when determining if the offender may commit another crime. The criminal justice system will often attempt to rehabilitate young perpetrators. A criminologist can share some ideas about possible future behavior.
Many of the jobs available in criminology can be demanding and stressful. Some of the jobs may require the person to work late nights and long hours. People who work in this area may encounter crime scenes that can be disturbing.
For all of this, criminology jobs often offer competitive salaries. These positions are usually assigned to candidates who can think on their feet and analyze a lot of information. These job opportunities can be very interesting and challenging.