Kiwanis Writing Contest 1st Prize Winner

Forensic Scientist

When I grow up I want to be a forensic scientist. I want to work in the laboratory. It would be extremely interesting to work as a forensic scientist. I strongly believe that I would excel at the job. I am determined to help the community to be a better and safer place; and being a forensic scientist will help me achieve my goal.

Forensic scientists help the community by gathering evidence to put criminals in prison. I am the person who can do that. Forensic scientists also help the community by finding murderers before they do more harm to people. This makes people feel secure in their homes. Forensic scientists can also help children feel confident of playing outside; instead of being frightened. For example, in my neighborhood forensic scientists work closely with the gang unit to collect evidence so that we are not afraid to play outside. This is a good role in the community.

I really want to be a forensic scientist because my parents inspired me through their actions in our community. My mother inspired me by telling me that she wanted to be a forensic scientist but she could not become one because going to a private school about forensic science was expensive. My mother was poor in Mexico so she could not afford it. I thought her story about training to be a forensic scientist was interesting and I also thought it would be rewarding to be a forensic scientist. My father also inspired me by telling to get an education so I do not end up getting paid eight dollars an hour. More importantly, he kept telling me to, "Follow your dreams", and my father inspired me by buying educational videos of crime scenes. My father is helping because he cares and wants me to have a better job than him. His job is at night and all night he has to work with chemicals. My parents are pushing me, in the right direction to a successful career.

I have many qualities that would make me a successful forensic scientist. I enjoy solving puzzles and never give up until I have completed them. I am also very straight to the point when I give facts, and I believe that is important when you are a forensic scientist. I would feel confident using all of the tools that are necessary in the laboratory and I am very organized too. I do not get easily disturbed seeing blood, so I would not mind
handing blood or other evidence. Most importantly, I would enjoy being a forensic scientist and would look forward to go to work everyday.

I am not just a child who heard about this job, that does not know what it takes to be a forensic scientist. I have done research on forensic science and I understand what the field requires. A forensic scientist works in a lab analyzing types of evidence and writing reports. A forensic scientist helps in criminal trials stating facts about the crime. In criminal or civil cases a forensic scientist can help the defense or prosecution side. Forensic science saves taxpayers money because the evidence that they find can be so obvious that a trial can be avoided completely. As you can see, I have learned about this to prepare me for my future.

Just knowing about what a forensic scientist does is not enough. I need to meet several requirements to achieve my goal. Primarily, I have to go college. I would have to take courses in chemistry, biology, toxicology (the study of toxins), pathology, and anthropology. I have to get a bachelors or a master's degree in forensic science. After I get my masters, I want to work in forensic labs. An education is very important in this field.