Why Are Computer Forensics Schools Suddenly So Popular?

Computer forensics schools are a growing niche in the American educational system. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there are roughly 13,000 individuals working in the forensics field. Not for long, because attendance to forensics schools is at an al time high, these 13,000 individuals will soon be joined by eager forensics technicians and analysts.

Television shows depicting methods of solving crimes date back before the CSI and Law & Order. But because these series gave a new twist to crime scene investigation, making it more interesting, accessible and edgier, people found the field interesting. Interesting enough that Forensics Schools are sprouting all over the country.

In the real world, crime is prevalent. One cannot actually predict when such would happen or would likely to occur. However, it seems that crimes in the past aren’t the same way as they are committed now. Today, questions arise like “what if the perpetrator was not arrested?”, “what if there were no witnesses?”, “what if the crime committed was done decades ago?”. There are many ingenious ways to cover up a crime as some crimes are masked as suicides, accidents and acts of self defense. But are they? Forensics schools teach investigative methods that not only focus on the instant offense, but the background that led to the present crime.

I must admit it was the TV shows that got me thinking about going to a computer forensics school.
I was primarily interested because computer forensics schools offer training programs and courses which would eventually enable me to work in the field. I learned that requirements for such programs vary from school to school, but there are general guidelines that all forensics schools follow.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice: “A model candidate for all forensics science practices possesses personal integrity, holds a baccalaureate degree (at a minimum) in the natural sciences.” They have issued guidelines for forensics schools to follow with regards to operating a forensics program in their institution.

In this light, I would suggest that despite the fact that many of these institutions are now offering their programs nationally, one must be adept and skillful in choosing which forensics schools are best to enroll at, as to ensure quality education and proper training for future careers in the criminal justice system.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for forensics science technicians would probably increase from this year up to 2018. Here are 3 forensics schools that they recommended which offer programs and training in forensics science and rigorous laboratory exercises to prepare students in experiments, studies in crime laboratories and at crime scenes:

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina and

Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

Some of the top forensics schools that are recommended by the U.S. News and World Report in its rankings of forensics schools are:

University of Mississippi

University of Central Florida

Loyola University, New Orleans

Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and

Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

These schools have their own way of educating and training individuals in the field of forensics science. They also have requirements that all prospective students must possess. Forensics schools can be highly selective because the field is specialized. If you're interested in attending computer forensics schools, then be prepared for hard work.