The Dallas Police Department maintains monthly crime statistics for all violent and property crimes occurring in the city. In addition to the traditional Uniform Crime Report, the Department keeps records of Community Prosecutor Area crimes, as well as weekly sector reports.
The Community Prosecutors Reports for all areas in the state indicate that, as of October 2013, murders in Dallas have increased by 36.4 percent. Sexual assaults are up 45.8 percent, and aggravated assault is up 10.4 percent. The total number of violent crimes in Dallas year-to-date is up 9.4 percent. Statistics like these indicate why there is a need for forensic scientists and crime scene investigators to investigate and prosecute crimes in Dallas.
Getting a Forensic Science Degree in Dallas
Often, training for certain aspects of forensic science and CSI jobs in Dallas is acquired on the job. For example, the Dallas Police Department Crime Scene Response Section offers courses to professionals to further their knowledge and continuing education. These courses are designed for those already working in law enforcement, and are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Because all crime scene analysts employed by the Dallas Police Department Crime Scene Response Section are trained as generalists in all of the forensic sciences, course content is updated as changes in technology dictate.
Depending upon one’s job choice, some type of certificate or degree is usually necessary in order to garner a job in CSI or forensic science in Dallas.
The options for such programs in the area include:
- Bachelor of Science, Computer Security & Forensics
- Bachelor of Science, Digital Forensics Technology
- Bachelor of Science, Forensic Science
- Master of Science, Forensic Science
- Master of Science, Forensic Psychology
Forensic Science and CSI Employers Found in Dallas
Titles of crime scene investigation and forensic science jobs in the Dallas area may include:
- Crime Scene Analyst
- Generalist
- Police Officer
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Director of Forensic Investigations
- Toxicology Chemist
Dallas County Institute of Forensic Sciences – This Institute in Dallas includes the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Crime Investigation Lab, and serves all of Dallas County. Components include:
- Drug analysis lab
- Toxicology lab
- Environmental analysis lab
- Biology
- Firearms lab
- Trace evidence analysis lab
- Rape crisis and child sexual abuse center
North Texas Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory – Located in Dallas, this laboratory provides digital forensics training and services to North Texas law enforcement agencies. Digital forensics can help in a variety of crimes, including Internet crime, fraud, terrorism, child pornography, homicide and other violent crimes.
American Forensics – This forensic laboratory located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex employs physicians certified by the American Board of Pathology. They offer contracted autopsy and pathology services to the general public and law enforcement, including toxicology, DNA analysis, forensic autopsies and second autopsies
Dallas Police Department Crime Scene Response Section – This city police department employs both sworn and non-sworn employees, who gather evidence collected at crime scenes throughout Dallas, and then process that evidence in the laboratory.