LA Criminalist Professor Advises Students To 'Excel In Science, Math'
"By 2022, I expect that an effective forensic scientist will need to have a greater knowledge of statistics, probability models, and computer science," said Donald Johnson, a professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). In coming years, experts predict that digital computer forensics and DNA specialties will dominate the field. To secure a competitive edge, scholars that have earned a bachelor's degree in natural science and a master's degree in forensic science will stand a greater chance of securing an annual salary of more than $80,000, reports theBureau of Labor Statistics.
Passion to delve into a practice, that utilizes scientific methods to gather and examine artifacts about the past to solve a crime, is made evident by the expanding number of students applying to CSULA's criminalistics Master's of Science degree program, which Johnson directs. "Criminalistics is an ideal profession to study and practice in Los Angeles, because L.A. is home to the state-of-the-art Hetzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center on the campus of Cal State L.A.," said Johnson, who dedicated 15 years of his career to the role of a senior criminalist at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. "Our mission is to prepare students to become competent forensic scientists and responsible members of the criminal justice system."
What makes your school superb?
"The center includes the crime laboratories of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. We also collaborate with numerous criminal justice professionals and science industries."
How is CSULA helping graduates become employable?
"Hands-on exercises, research projects and crime lab internships assist our students in developing a forensic science perspective and the necessary laboratory skills for the position."
What defines an accomplished forensic scientist?
"The key attributes of a successful forensic scientist are an analytical and meticulous mind, a good moral character and strong stomach."
What is your message to aspiring forensic scientists?
"My advice to those interested in pursuing a career in forensic science is to excel in science and math, and bear in mind that employers will conduct background investigations on their applicants."
Sharon Raiford Bush is an award-winning journalist who covers topics of social interest in greater Los Angeles. Some news articles she has authored have been archived by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Sharon also contributes to Examiner.com.
