Forensic Science Programs in Maine

Within the growing field of criminal justice, there are dozens of options for specialized careers that make use of current technology in this industry. If you’re looking to change your career in this field or take the first step in a criminal justice career, studying forensic science may be the next step for you.
Forensic science relies on a solid understanding of criminal justice theories, physical sciences, and criminal psychology. Forensic scientists analyze evidence to find the story it tells, using it to rebuild crime scenes, lay out timelines for crimes, and piece together the truth from collected testimony.

Find out how to become a forensic scientist and expand your knowledge of technology and science in the world of criminal justice.

Contact forensic science programs in Maine today.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

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As forensic science becomes a more clearly defined field in criminal justice, the training that aspiring forensic scientists receive may broaden in scope.

What Can I Do with a Forensic Science Degree in Maine?

In Maine, forensic technicians are trained in various types of forensic evidence, including DNA analysis. These experts are often called on to testify in criminal cases, such as the recent trial of a Maine man implicated in a fatal shootout. Experience in these areas may make you better prepared to analyze crimes and understand the injuries and deaths that come from various incidents.

Forensic Science Degrees in Maine

The first step in your education is figuring out what type of degree fits your career goals.

If you’re a new student or you haven’t yet earned a bachelor’s degree, you may want to begin with a certificate or bachelor’s degree. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and have working experience in criminal justice may choose to learn more about graduate programs in forensic science.

A certificate is much shorter in duration than other types of undergraduate training programs. In fact, you can often complete a certificate in one year or less.

Certificate in Forensic Science

Introduction to Forensic Science (3 credits): Build your understanding of what the field of forensic science does, how your training may prepare you to work within this system, and what the future of this field looks like.
Advanced Forensic Science (4 credits): In this course, develop a greater appreciation of how forensic science contributes to the field of criminal justice. Start to develop your knowledge of core forensic science techniques and gain experience in a crime lab.
Criminal Law (3 credits): This class shows you how the evidence you collect and process as a technician may be used in a courtroom. You may learn why it’s so important to preserve evidence carefully and avoid contamination.
Principles of Investigation (3 credits): Explore the process of investigating a crime to understand where forensic evidence fits into the process as a whole.
Law of Criminal Evidence (3 credits): The legality of forensic, physical, and biological evidence is covered in-depth in this course, which outlines how evidence may and may not be used in legal settings.

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Bachelor’s programs are significantly longer than most certificate programs. In fact, a bachelor’s degree requires at least 120 credits, which takes most students between four and five years of full-time study.

The additional time you spend in school may give you more hands-on experience with forensic science technology, evidence samples, and complex criminal cases. In addition to possibly preparing you for several entry-level career paths, this degree may lay the groundwork for graduate-level study.

Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science

Criminalistics (3 credits): This course looks at the use of different tests and analysis methods in the testing of evidence, particularly forensic and biological evidence.
Computer Forensics (3 credits): Computer forensics uses digital evidence to better understand crime and gather evidence for a strong case. Computer forensics may cover evidence gathered from cell phones, computers, GPS trackers, and even vehicles.
Conducting Investigations (3 credits): Students in this class build on their previous study of criminal investigation by finding out how their work is used in each type of criminal case. You may learn how to communicate with investigators, law enforcement officers, and others who rely on forensic evidence.
Evidence in Criminal Investigations (3 credits): Learn how evidence is used by investigators and prosecutors to build solid, airtight cases. By the time you finish this class, you should understand the importance of maintaining a clear chain of evidence, avoiding the contamination of evidence, and preventing evidential decay through proper storage.

You may also choose to earn a Master’s in forensic psychology. You need a Bachelor’s degree to gain acceptance to a graduate program, whether your degree is from criminal justice, psychology, or another related field.

Graduate Courses in Forensic Psychology

Crime, Psychology, and the Law (5 credits): Understand the intersection of psychology and criminal behavior to better comprehend your role as a forensic psychologist.
Criminal Behavior (5 credits): Studying the psychology of criminal behavior helps you determine why certain people are drawn to violent or criminal behavior.
Understanding Forensic Psychology Research (5 credits): In this class, get an introduction to current research in forensic psychology.

Take the first step to a forensic science major now…

Use our list of forensic science schools in Maine to get more information.

Working as a Forensic Scientist in Maine

Here’s what you’ve been waiting for…

You may be shocked to find that a forensic science education may open up doors to several different career paths for you. While this field was restricted to laboratory positions early in its development, it has quickly taken hold in other areas of criminal justice. As a result, an education in forensic science may help you pursue many other job titles in different criminal justice settings.

Of course, becoming a forensic science technician is one of the most straightforward applications of a forensic science degree. This position puts you in frequent contact with investigators and others who need evidence processed, but it may allow you to spend most of your time in the laboratory. The average salary for a forensic science technician in Maine is $59,950 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Job openings for forensic science technicians are expected to remain steady in the state through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

The role of criminal investigator also requires substantial knowledge of forensic science. Since criminal investigators often do quite a bit of work on crime scenes, they must understand how to properly handle, store, and transport evidence to prevent contamination. This may be an option for you if you want to use your knowledge in a law enforcement setting. Maine criminal investigators earn an average of $79,470 per year (BLS, 2022). Job openings for criminal investigators are predicted to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Coroners have a strong grasp of forensic science techniques and they use these techniques in their daily work. If you choose to become a coroner, you may become an important part of your city’s criminal investigation and forensic science team. The median annual salary in this field is $72,240, and a 5% jump in job openings nationwide may take place by the year 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Maine contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

Discover what the next step is in your forensic science career.