Forensic certifications are necessary as they equip an individual with the essential skill set and technical knowhow. The process of certification adds valuable knowledge to the forensic specialist (Wiles, 2011). The certification also ensures that an individual can be able to follow a standard procedure of conducting any form of forensic analysis, which helps in ensuring or reducing evidence tampering. Having a certification helps in showing that the individuals conducting a forensic analysis have developed the required competency (Pyrek, 2010). Further, most of the forensic specialists are used in the courts to explain evidence. According to Wiles (2011), the professional certification provides a form of credibility that assures the court of the quality of recommendation or explanation from the forensic specialist.
Certifications and on-the-job training both assist in increasing the knowledge of a forensic specialist. Further, in both cases the forensic specialist can be able to learn the use of new tools that are used in conducting forensic analysis. The difference between certifications and on-the-job training is that the conditions during certifications are controlled or set up but the conditions during the on-the-job training cannot be set earlier. On the job training is more beneficial because it deals with the real scenario. Thus, the forensic specialist can be able to know firsthand some of the challenges likely to be faced.
One of the important credentials a forensic specialist should have is a Bachelors degree in chemistry or physics or computer science. The candidate also needs to have sufficient experience working on major forensic cases. The forensic specialist also needs to have credible recommendations. The interested candidate also has to possess excellent computer proficiency and demonstrate good laboratory practices. I do believe that experience is the most important as it equips the forensic specialist with additional knowledge and the likelihood of developing or conducting a forensic analysis efficiently.
References
Pyrek, K. (2010). Forensic science under siege the challenges of forensic laboratories and the
Medico-legal death investigation system. Amsterdam: Elsevier / Academic Press.
Wiles, J. (2011). TechnoSecurity's Guide to E-Discovery and Digital Forensics a Comprehensive
Handbook. Burlington: Elsevier.
