Forensic investigator (Forensisch onderzoeker)
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A forensic investigator specializes in trace investigation to gather evidence for criminal investigation. The profession of forensic investigator can vary from MBO level to university level, depending on the specific profession. A police detective and a pathologist can both be forensic investigators, but these forensic investigators have followed a completely different training. The specific activities of a forensic investigator therefore depend on the profession and the level of education. Another name for forensic research is also called forensic science, because forensic research refers to scientific research methods to be able to collect evidence, such as a DNA test. As a forensic investigator, you can therefore practice different professions and work for different institutions. In all cases, forensic research is aimed at helping to track down perpetrators who have committed a crime by carrying out forensic investigations. Forensic research should be seen as a general term, because forensic research can be divided into different areas of investigation, such as fire research, DNA testing, blood trace research or forensic medicine. The activities of a forensic investigator can in all cases be regarded as specialist work, which belongs to the right investigators. Forensic research is now indispensable, because through forensic research crimes can be solved that otherwise could not be solved. Forensic research is applied in a variety of ways by different agencies and companies. There are various areas of research within forensic science. Think, for example, of forensic digital investigation, forensic photography, forensic ballistics and forensic medicine.
Forensic investigator should therefore be seen as a general name for persons who are charged with looking for evidence to track down perpetrators. It is not the case that only detectives can be regarded as forensic investigators. Think, for example, of specialists who have specialized in fire research and handwriting research. If it concerns a pathologist, the name forensic pathology applies. A forensic pathologist usually works for a forensic institute, where the prosecutor orders an autopsy or section to be performed on a body to gather evidence. In addition, a forensic pathologist can be deployed to find out the identity of people. So it is the forensic pathologist who performs the autopsy in order to determine the cause of death or the identity of people. Within the police, people no longer speak of the technical investigation department, but of the forensic investigation department (FO). The forensic investigation department's important task is to search for traces and secure traces. There are various positions related to forensic investigation in the police, such as forensic fire investigation, forensic pattern recognition and forensic coordinator. The forensic coordinator is responsible, among other things, for communication with other forensic investigation services, such as the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI).
WHAT DOES A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR DO
A forensic investigator is in all cases responsible for searching for evidence. This does not only relate to the known DNA tests. Consider, for example, digital detectives, who are charged with searching for traces on computers and other digital equipment. In addition, a digital detective may be responsible for enhancing video footage or be responsible for examining photos. This type of work also belongs to forensic research. Another example of forensic research is forensic accountancy. Forensic accountancy is part of the work of specialised accountants and/or auditors. In that case, there is usually a tax inspector, who is charged with looking for traces to be able to prove fraud. Technical and material research can also be regarded as forensic research. In that case, think of technicians, engineers or mechanical engineers, who are responsible for looking for traces that could have caused an accident. In that case, forensic investigators can, for example, look for any hairline cracks in metal to determine the material quality. This type of investigation can be important if it concerns an air disaster or if a machine has failed in which victims have fallen.
WHAT DOES A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR
The profession of forensic investigator is too general to name a specific training. In addition, the profession of forensic investigator occurs at MBO level to university level. Think, for example, of the MBO programme digital researcher, the HBO programme integral security or the HBO programme forensic investigator. Within the police, forensic investigators are often regarded as detectives. Detectives within the police have at least a specific hbo education. The profession of forensic investigator can nowadays be regarded as a popular profession for which various training courses exist.
COMPANIES WHERE A FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR MAY BE EMPLOYED
A forensic investigator can work for different employers. Think, for example, of the police, the fire brigade or the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI). In addition, a forensic investigator may work for private investigative institutions. Environmental scientists can also be regarded as forensic investigators in some cases.
COMPETENCES FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR
The competences of a forensic investigator cannot be clearly indicated, because the profession of forensic investigator consists of different positions and educational levels, all of which require their own competencies. A forensic investigator, who performs DNA research in a laboratory, will have to have different competencies than a forensic investigator who works for the police. In all cases, a forensic investigator must have investigative skills. Communication can also be regarded as an important competence, because you usually have to deal with different colleagues and external parties. General important words are accuracy, integrity, independence, analytical, analyzing, checking, reporting and laws and regulations.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A FORENSIC RESEARCHER
The labour market perspective of a forensic investigator is generally good if you have the right training. It is true that the profession of forensic investigator can nowadays be regarded as a popular profession. In other words, there can be a lot of competition. In addition, many internal training courses are offered when it comes to the police. The career opportunities of a forensic investigator cannot simply be indicated, because this depends entirely on the specific work and employer.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR
There are no examples of specific employment conditions for the profession of forensic investigator, because you can work for different companies and organizations in different positions. What exactly a forensic investigator will earn is not easy to indicate because the level of education within this profession can vary greatly. A forensic investigator with a scientific education who works for the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) will earn more than a hbo-trained forensic investigator who works for the police.
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