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 | QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT
The primary job classifications for analysts employed by the Mississippi Crime Laboratory (MCL) include Forensic Scientists and Forensic Biologists. Both series offer a career ladder ranging from Trainee through Level V, depending upon education, experience and professional certification.
The Forensic Scientist series is utilized in two of the three major technical areas of the MCL, the Impression Evidence Division and the Analytical Division. The minimum requirement for a Forensic Scientist Trainee in the Impression Evidence Division, which includes Latent Prints, Questioned Documents, Technical Assistance and Firearms/Tool Marks, consists of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. The minimum requirements for a Forensic Scientist Trainee in the Analytical Division, which includes Toxicology, Controlled Substance Identification, Fire Debris Analysis, Trace Evidence and Implied Consent, include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in chemistry or any other natural science, physical, or forensic science with a minimum of 24 semester hours of chemistry, some of which must include analytical chemistry. The third major technical area of the MCL, the Bioscience Section, encompasses Serology and DNA Analysis. This Section employs individuals declared eligible for the Forensic Biologist series. Eligibility for this series begins with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a directly related field.
The Mississippi State Personnel Board (www.spb.state.ms.us) evaluates applicants’ eligibility for the Forensic Scientist and/or Forensic Biologist positions, i. e. they determine whether applicants meet the minimum requirements for the position. Due to the large number of individuals declared eligible and the small number of positions available at the MCL, not everyone declared eligible will be interviewed. The qualifications of each eligible applicant, as stated on the application and contained in the transcript(s), are considered. Only those applicants whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the vacant positions are selected for an interview and contacted by the MCL.
Individuals interested in making application for a position at the MCL should contact the Personnel Department of the Department of Public Safety at (601) 987-1264 for additional information.
For descriptions of each of the service areas listed above, refer to the listing of Laboratory Services on the main State Crime Laboratory web page.
For complete job descriptions, refer to Available Positions.
For general Forensic Science career information, refer to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences web site under Related Links.
INTERNSHIPS
Internships for college students in one of the technical areas specified above are available in limited numbers at the MCL. Anyone interested in an internship should send a letter of request to the Director of the MCL, accompanied by a letter from a representative of his or her major department stating that the internship will be applicable towards credit for the degree sought. All requests must be approved by the Director. |
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