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Forensic ScientistIf you’re a fan of mysteries, you might wonder howhomicide detectives really discover “whodunit.” Chancesare, they’ve received some help along the way from aforensic scientist.“Forensics just means something relating to law,” saysMidori Albert, professor of anthropology and forensics consultant at theUniversity of North Carolina, Wilmington. “People in many different fields—chemistry, engineering, botany, even bug scientists—can help to solve a crime.”Although most of Albert’s time is spent teaching anthropology, she is also partof a team of crime sleuths who tackle about 30 cases per year in North Carolina.Simply by studying bones, she can reconstruct many characteristics of victims,including their age, gender, ethnic background, previous disease and boneinjury, and sometimes the cause of death. This information is useful inreconstructing the scene and circumstances of a crime and ultimately help tosolve cases.“A lot of people think forensic scientists are into gore,” Albert says. “That’snot true. This is a science based on observation and logic. We’re dealing withpeople’s lives, and we care about the victims of these crimes. Our work oftenhelps a victim’s surviving family and friends to come to some resolution.”SkillsPersonalityEducationPhotography and videography, computer, statisticalanalysis, organization, communication, archaeologicalfield techniquesPatient, discreet, sociable, detail orientedAcademic forensic scientists are usually required tohave a Ph.D. People interested in the technical aspectsof forensics will need a bachelor’s degree in generalforensic science.For more information on forensic science, visit the American Academyof Forensic Sciences Web site at www.aafs.org, ubpl.glencoe.com, or yourlocal library.information and is asked to plead guilty or not guilty. The accused isinformed of his or her rights. If the person pleads guilty, the judge maythen impose the sentence. If the person pleads not guilty, the case proceedsto trial.46 Unit 1: Knowing About the Law