Would You Rather Be a Cop or a Forensic Investigator?

April 25, 2009

It's hard to pass judgment on a career you haven't had, but forget education, relevant experience, and interview contacts for a second. Which career do you think is cooler?

Photos courtesy of CBS

17 Comments

3 years 35 weeks

Over the last thirty years, I have done both jobs. First, no one in the forensic realm dresses like the people on CSI, and I can guarantee you that what is seen on these shows is NOTHING like the real job. I love crime scene and to a lesser degree, laboratory assignment, but if you are thinking about getting involved in it, you should find out what it is really like. You seldom see what all is involved in a crime scene investigation, like multiple page diagrams, time on the scene (twenty six hours is my personal record), and the smells.....oh the lovely smells!

runningesq 4 years 4 weeks

haha, skigirl, you don't think a blousy halter and white jeans is appropraite for a scientist to wear to work??

aimeeb 4 years 4 weeks

No in the line of fire for me...

mondaymoos 4 years 4 weeks

Actually, I'm working toward being a forensic accountant. So there you have it. :)

skigurl 4 years 4 weeks

i doubt that cops or forensic investigators dress like that!

MrsRachel 4 years 4 weeks

Forensics! Its my secret dream job.

lickety split 4 years 4 weeks

lol, forensics! i like the way they have "autopsy" in big, silver, back lit letters above the door on CSI, very glam (and i'm sure very realistic).

crystalm07 4 years 4 weeks

I have a Forensics degree...wish I could get a job with it! ha

starangel82 4 years 4 weeks

Forensic investigator. I couldn't be a cop. That and I watch too much CSI and NCIS.

pharm_chick 4 years 4 weeks

forensic investgator just b/c i wouldnt want to be a cop

shiningeyes 4 years 4 weeks

I just know that there's no way I'd want to be a cop... so forensic investigator, I guess.

Calimie 4 years 4 weeks

Cop! Like in The Mentalist, yay! Oh, wait, they do nothing but stand around Jane, right? Doesn't matter, I'm in.

pinkmystic 4 years 4 weeks

cop :) like Detective benson on Law & Order svu That forensic girl looks very pretty and stylish though

Spectra 4 years 4 weeks

Considering that both jobs are highly overrated by TV shows, I'd probably be a forensic investigator. Cops usually end up getting a lot of crap for giving out speeding tickets and they probably end up doing a lot of boring stuff if they're in a small town. Forensics could be really cool if you got to work in a busy lab with lots of different types of work. From what I understand though, most forensic investigators in real life basically analyze dirty underwear and sheets to look for semen in rape cases.