Case studies : Forensic scientist: Moina Macaskill

Moina first completed a degree in zoology and botany at the University of Tasmania in Australia. She then went on to do a degree in forensic science at Anglia Ruskin University and graduated in 2006. She is currently studying for a Masters with the Open University while working as a forensic scientist.

I was very fortunate to get my current job. I knew I wanted to work for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) because they are world leaders in forensic science. I graduated in 2006 and before I finished my exams in June that year, I made a speculative application to one of the managers at the FSS in Huntingdon which was the closest laboratory to where I lived. I got a reply that said they were about to start recruiting for the exact job I was interested in and I was sent an application form. I applied, went for the interview and got the job.

My subject of study was very relevant to securing my current job. I spent a fair proportion of my degree studying chemistry and although I am a forensic biologist, the chemistry has still come in handy. I would say to anyone wanting to enter forensic science though, that a science degree in any relevant subject would be beneficial. If you start with the FSS you’ll get in-house training, so it’s not essential to have a forensic science degree.

A typical working day could involve lots of different elements. I might spend time assessing cases that have come in and forming a forensic strategy for the case, time in the laboratory examining items or searching microscope slides, interpreting DNA profiles, writing case reports and giving advice to police officers over the phone. If we’re working on a complex case we may have to attend case conferences with senior police officers to help plan out the next stage of forensic work. There is also a lot of administration and paperwork associated with what we do. Occasionally we have to go to court to give evidence as expert witnesses and some forensic scientists go to crime scenes as well.

My own role has developed greatly since I started. I began working for the FSS as a forensic analyst. After about 14 months a number of forensic scientist positions came up and I applied and got the job. I spent some time in a Sexual Oriented Crime team and now I’m working in a Homicide and Violent Crime team. Even the science and technology has developed since I started here - our research and development department is always working to enable us to do a better job at what we do.

I enjoy so much about my job. Every day is different, you think you’ve seen everything and then a new case comes in and there’s something new and interesting.

You have to try to remain detached though - I don’t find it too difficult. Occasionally a case will come in and I’ll think, gosh, that’s pretty horrible. But then I just move on and get the work done. It’s all about providing a service to the criminal justice system at the end of the day.

If you really want to do this job don’t give up. Get involved with forensic science if you’re really interested in it - join the Forensic Science Society, go to a few meetings, meet some scientists and ask them how they got where they are.