Trinity
Would it be better to live in a small town or big city when it comes to forensics?
I’m not sure where I want to live in the future and want to know if I’ll be able to find a stable job anywhere I go. #forensic-science #forensics #forensic #chemistry
40 answers
Candace Salvatto Gomez
Candace’s Answer
Hi Trinity, It is my experience that you can have the best of both worlds. I work for a large lab, the busiest in forensics by volume, but I live an hour outside of NYC. I commute (drive) to work everyday but I also work with a lot of younger people that love living in the city and take the subway. I agree with Yhaqueri Niola, it ultimately depends on your idea of an ideal living environment, what your preferences are and what sacrifices you're willing to make for your career. When you decide to apply to an organization, you'll weigh your options, (city or suburbs, rent or own, drive or public trans, do you have a family or not etc). Hope this helps!
Hi, my name is Kayla and I am a senior in high school, I am interested in pursuing a career in forensics, well I actually want to be a pathologist to be exact. I was wondering if I can ask you a few questions to help me get clarification on the steps to be a real forensic scientist. Also to better understand the livelihood I am going to college for. It would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
kayla
Let Candice know you appreciate it!
Amin Rucker
Asma Saleh
Asma’s Answer
Tudor Samoila
Tudor’s Answer
Kate Q.
Kate’s Answer
It just depends! I'm in the market for a forensic science position right now, and I've seen a lot of different places with forensic labs. It does tend to be larger cities in general, since those areas are more likely to have dedicated crime labs, but there are some private labs that are out in the middle of nowhere PA, etc. It's more important to have a good college degree and some experience, and some flexibility in where you're willing to live, rather than originally choosing to live in the right spot.
Ruddhida Vidwans
Ruddhida’s Answer
Frank Hanlin
Frank’s Answer
Asnwering the question of where to live is best answered by first answering in which discipline of forensics you want to work, in a lab, in a morgue or in the field. I agree with some of the previous posters. Simply put; go where the crime is. More importantly, post high school education is outragiously expensive in America today. Educate smartly! For example, if you want to work in the police environment but don't want to be a sworn officer, look for agencies that hire civilians as investigators. First, look for community colleges that offer certificate programs and or A.S. Degrees in Crime Scene Technology. Then search the forensic websites for training and career opportunities. These include Crime Scene Network, International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) and the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (A.B.M.D.I.)
Another thing to look into is if the hiring agency has a residency requirement. In other words, do you have to live within a city or county border to work there. My old agency, OPD, had a response time requirement from home for on-call assignments of 50 minutes. This allows you to live in a suburban or rural area near the agency.
And one last thing, if your'e looking to make crazy money then go work at a Hedge Fund. I knew early on in my career I would never get rich and I didn't. The rewards lie elsewhere. And if you marry the job, don't marry anybody else. It won't work!
Good luck. I hope this was helpful.
Vincent Nappi
Vincent’s Answer
In urban environments like cities, more crimes occur, which equal the need for more Forensic Scientists. However, how much that city is invested in their labs is the true issue. I know for a fact that even in New York City, with their large laboratories and staffs, they have a large backlog of evidence to examine, and their budget can hire only so many people. Not to mention the inner politics in such a work environment can be taxing on your mental health and productivity. Competition for a forensic scientist is also extremely high due to low turnover.
Suburban areas do not have as much crime, but that doesn't mean it is nonexistent. Some counties can afford to fund a forensic lab, but a lot of suburbs do not and often send their evidence to be analyzed elsewhere in the state where there are labs. The same can be said for rural areas, where populations are low, resulting is less funding for any laboratories.
I, too, am learning as I go, and have decided to get some practical experience working in non-forensic science labs to pad my resume. Most Forensic science labs require years of experience before taking in new employees.
Curtis Halford
Curtis’s Answer
Key factors will entail getting a good accredited education without going so far in debt you can never pay it back. Then you will want to find a job that your degree cost can afford. I would highly recommend checking job growth by city, metro, and state and see what median salary and cost of living are before you decide where you want to hang your shingle so to speak. The job may be showing good growth across the nation as a whole, but it may be stagnant where you think you want to live and work.
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Good luck in your search!
yhaqueri niola
yhaqueri’s Answer
It honestly comes to your ideal living environment. If you like working with other people living in a big city would be best. Living in a big city helps you make connections and you get to gain knowledge from others. I'm from a big city and I've been given so many exciting opportunities for free.
Try this link: http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ptn/2012/11/student-opportunities.aspx
yhaqueri recommends the following next steps:
Shaminie Athinarayanan
Shaminie’s Answer
Bigger cities (have more opportunities) and you will be able to process different types of cases and learn more. Smaller cities, workload is less but you might travel to different locations to testify if your lab is located at one location and it serves several different counties within the state. It also depends whether you decide to join federal, state or city labs; that makes a difference too.
Shaminie recommends the following next steps:
AADITYA VIKRAM GAUR
AADITYA VIKRAM’s Answer
It all matters where as a forensic investigator you wish to head in your career accordingly you should choose the city.
Kristyn Phillips
Kristyn’s Answer
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Jordy Labady
Jordy’s Answer
Niloufar Hendinejad
Niloufar’s Answer
Sherice Morris
Sherice’s Answer
Although this answer's the question, your answer could be made more helpful if you explained why you chose your answer
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Jeanne Alicea
Jeanne’s Answer
Valeri Peralta
Valeri’s Answer
The more information we can reduce or eliminate uncertainty, as marked by the entropy or the measure of disorder.
Therefore I would choose a big city.
Omar Moussa
Omar’s Answer
Oui, dans une grande ville -
Yes, in a big city (it is better)
Omar recommends the following next steps:
Sanaz Tavakoli
Sanaz’s Answer
I would say both. They both have pros and cons about them.
Viviane Santos
Viviane’s Answer
Small town get more time to analyze samples
divya joseph
divya’s Answer
Would you say larger or smaller cities have more opportunities? That might give the student more information
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Prajitha Kodakkal Puthiyaveedu
Prajitha’s Answer
Hey Prajitha, can you expand on why a large city is better?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Kalyani Borkar
Kalyani’s Answer
As we know it totally depends on needs and neccessity that is required to get done our job.
Big city have all facilities easily available whereas small town won't.
When its come to medical section whatever it is whether it's a forensic or any small hospital if you are working in small town you will get to know many things what society is going through any how is there life.
You will be self motivated to do more contribution in your field.
Brooke Baran
Brooke’s Answer
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiY6JO2zLjvAhWDtlkKHex1CwgQFjAAegQIHBAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fepac-edu.org%2Faccredited-universities&usg=AOvVaw09eBm60KyZicArVtopgu7o
Tricia Seigfried
Tricia’s Answer
Stephanie Goldman
Stephanie’s Answer
Generally big cities are more likely to have crime labs. Each state has a crime lab system and they will generally have their main location in a big city but may have satellite labs in other places that may or may not be a big city. Aside from the state system, larger cities may have their own crime lab. A small town will not have enough resources or need to support its own crime lab.
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Choosing Between a Small Town and a Big City for a Forensics Career
Deciding whether to pursue your forensics career in a small town or a big city involves evaluating several aspects such as job availability, range of positions, potential earnings, and lifestyle preferences.
1. Job Availability
Typically, larger cities offer more job opportunities in forensics due to the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies, private forensic labs, and educational institutions that frequently need forensic experts. For instance, densely populated cities often have dedicated crime labs linked to police departments or state agencies dealing with a high volume of cases.
On the contrary, small towns might have fewer job openings mainly because of fewer law enforcement agencies and lower crime rates. Here, forensic professionals may find work in county sheriff’s offices or smaller police departments, though the number of positions is usually less than in urban areas.
2. Types of Positions
Big cities provide a variety of roles for forensic professionals, such as forensic analysts, crime scene investigators (CSIs), toxicologists, and digital forensics experts. These roles typically require specialized training and education in different forensics subfields.
In contrast, small towns might have fewer specialized positions. Forensic professionals in these areas might need to perform multiple tasks, including evidence collection and analysis, without the same level of specialization found in larger urban environments.
3. Salary Potential
Forensic professionals' salaries can differ greatly based on location. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), urban areas usually offer higher salaries than rural areas due to the cost of living and demand for skilled workers. For example, forensic scientists in major cities like New York or Los Angeles might earn significantly more than those in smaller towns.
However, it's crucial to factor in the cost of living when assessing potential earnings. While salaries might be higher in big cities, expenses related to housing, transportation, and daily living costs are also higher.
4. Lifestyle Preferences
Choosing between a small town and a big city also depends on your personal lifestyle preferences. Big cities often offer a lively social scene with access to cultural events, dining options, and recreational activities that might not be available in smaller towns.
Conversely, small towns can provide a quieter lifestyle with less traffic and potentially stronger community bonds. Some people prefer this environment for its slower pace and sense of community.
5. Stability and Career Growth
Both settings can offer stable job opportunities, but career growth prospects might vary greatly between them. Larger cities often have more resources for professional development through workshops or advanced training programs provided by universities or organizations specializing in forensic science.
In summary:
Big Cities: More job opportunities; diverse roles; higher salaries but also higher cost of living; more opportunities for career progression.
Small Towns: Fewer job openings; less specialization; potentially lower salaries but also lower living costs; quieter lifestyle with strong community bonds.
In the end, your choice should be in line with your forensics career goals and personal lifestyle preferences.
Answer Accuracy: 95%
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Offers extensive data on employment statistics for various occupations, including salary ranges and job prospects.
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): A premier organization that provides resources on forensic science careers, including educational requirements and professional development.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ): Provides research findings related to criminal justice, including insights into forensic science practices and employment trends.
Stay Blessed!
JC.
Shraddha Nyati
Shraddha’s Answer
It is always better to be in a bigger city when it comes to Forensic. Bigger cities have a well developed system of investigating crimes and therefore provide you with better opportunities to explore.
Gail Berghorn
Gail’s Answer
A small town can have limited resources (money, opportunities) to offer a well rounded forensic work experience. Don't think big city is your only option. Mid-size cities have robust criminal forensic labs with opportunities to grow in your field. You should look at regions of the US. The East Coast of the country has a multitude of forensic labs; federal, state, regional opportunities. While other areas like Montana or North/South Dakota has limited opportunities.
Gail recommends the following next steps:
Yes, it is a useful answer
Omar Moussa
Mirabelle Songoue E
Mirabelle’s Answer
C V
C’s Answer
Lab work is a different story. Labs get placed based on a combination of rent and the ability to attract qualified technicians and scientists. Labs also have an advantage when they are near reasonably large travel hubs. Technicians/scientists still have to support litigation via in person testimony; so, again, they probably won't be too far from the localities they serve. So can you find them in small towns? Yes, but, don't expect to move into just any small town and find a large forensics lab.
A simple lab might be set up in a small city to serve the most common analyses, but, again, they would probably be looking to hire a small number of people that already have experience.
Kelli Bruce
Kelli’s Answer
nashell gates
nashell’s Answer
YASAMIN J Tehrani
YASAMIN’s Answer
I would prefer to live in a big cities.
Aneri Maniar
Aneri’s Answer
Depends on state where there is more opportunity available.
tabassum Tzainab
tabassum’s Answer
I don’t think so . Because for such huge field, big cities have better options.
maria mubili
maria’s Answer
Caleb Ferguson
Caleb’s Answer
Generally astronomically immense cities are more liable to have malefaction labs. Each state has a malefaction lab system and they will generally have their main location in a sizably voluminous city but may have satellite labs in other places that may or may not be an astronomically immense city. Aside from the state system, more astronomically immense cities may have their own malefaction lab. A diminutive town will not have enough resources or need to fortify its own malefaction lab.
Megan Tabatadze
Megan’s Answer
A big city since you probably will be traveling around.
