Forensic toxicologists provide blood and urine screenings to determine the presence of drugs or alcohol, sexual assaults or rape in various criminal scenarios. They also help identify chemicals found outside the body, such as in terrorism cases or environmental, health or food safety concerns. The US Military uses forensic toxicologists in various branches from the Navy to the National Guard, to check personnel for drug use and scan for chemical warfare.
Navy Sponsored CSI Training
Military forensic toxicologists work at forensic labs, teach at A-schools and as members of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Environmental (CBRE) training teams to protect the nation against chemical, nuclear and biological weapons. They also present their found evidence to judges and lawyers in important Military cases. For this career, boot camp training is not necessary, because the Military requires that the forensic toxicologist have a doctorate or master’s degree and research thesis in either toxicology, life science chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology.
To see how the Military can help you fund your college education to become a forensic toxicologist, Click here.
From Navy to Civilian Toxicology
After retiring from the Navy, a Military forensic toxicologist may work for various civilian labs. Toxicologists may work at local health care facilities or hospitals providing blood and urine drug testing, for local law enforcement departments or even for civilian crime scene forensic labs and centers. Other careers may be possible, depending upon the retired Navy toxicologists specific college degrees.
Click here to get your career in crime scene investigation started with the US Military.
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/sflovestory/3746500354/