How to Be Forensic Historian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 14, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The negative impact of a lack of forensic historians has been felt in many different ways. In criminal cases, the absence of forensic historians can lead to a lack of evidence and an inability to determine the truth. In civil cases, forensic historians can be used to uncover information about events that took place in the past and to help evaluate potential claims.

Furthermore, the absence of such expertise can lead to wrongful convictions and missed opportunities to uncover historical facts and clues. the lack of forensic historians can lead to a lack of public education about the history of various events, making it more difficult for people to make well-informed decisions when it comes to politics, law, and society.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Prospective forensic historians should begin their educational journey by earning a bachelor's degree in history, anthropology, archeology, or a related field. Classes in forensic sciences and criminal justice may also be beneficial.
Obtain Relevant Work Experience. The next step is to gain relevant work experience in a related field. This could include working as an intern in a museum, historical society, or a public history organization.
Research and Publish. Forensic historians should also undertake research projects and publish their findings in scholarly journals. This helps to demonstrate their expertise in the field.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations such as the American Society for Legal History or the Society for Historical Archaeology can help to further develop one's skills and network.
Pursue Graduate Studies. Those who wish to pursue a career as a forensic historian should consider pursuing a master's degree or Ph. D. in a relevant field such as history, anthropology, or archeology.
Obtain Certification. Finally, forensic historians may consider obtaining certification from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences to demonstrate their expertise in the field.

Forensic historians play an important role in the criminal justice system by providing reliable and competent analysis of evidence from the past. They use their expertise to examine and interpret historical documents, artifacts, and records to uncover the facts of a case. Through the analysis of these materials, forensic historians can identify patterns and help piece together what happened in criminal cases.

By understanding the timeline and context of a case, they then can present their findings to a court of law. Their findings can help identify suspects or corroborate known evidence, making them invaluable assets in the pursuit of justice.

You may want to check Museum Historian, Historical Documentation Specialist, and Labor Historian for alternative.

Job Description

Crime Scene Investigator: Responsible for collecting and analyzing physical evidence at crime scenes to determine the facts of a crime.
Forensic Anthropologist: Uses scientific methods to identify human remains in order to determine the identity, cause of death, and manner of death.
Forensic Pathologist: Examines bodies to determine the cause and manner of death.
Forensic Toxicologist: Analyzes biological specimens to determine the presence of drugs or toxins in order to reconstruct events leading up to an individual's death.
Forensic Odontologist: Uses dental evidence to identify victims and suspects in crimes.
Forensic Document Examiner: Examines handwriting and documents to determine authenticity or forgery.
Forensic Psychologist: Studies criminal behavior and psychology in order to better understand criminals and victims.
Forensic Historian: Analyzes historical documents and artifacts in order to uncover evidence related to criminal investigations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of historical research methods and techniques
Familiarity with digital tools for researching, collecting, and managing data
Ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize primary source materials
Strong writing and communication skills
Understanding of legal and ethical frameworks applicable to research
Knowledge of archival and library systems
Understanding of a variety of cultural contexts and international perspectives
Experience in public speaking
Familiarity with the tools of digital media and multimedia production
Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Forensic Historians possess a unique and valuable skill set, which includes the ability to analyze and interpret historical evidence. This skill is essential for accurately reconstructing past events, as well as providing insight into how these events have shaped the present. Forensic Historians are able to uncover facts and data from sources such as photographs, documents, and physical artifacts.

They also have the ability to analyze and interpret the evidence in order to draw logical conclusions about the past. This skill is crucial for forming a comprehensive view of the past, which can help in understanding the cause and effect of events that have shaped our world today.

Diplomatic Historian, Legal Historian, and Historical Preservation Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in researching and verifying historical facts?
How would you go about researching and analyzing the accuracy of a historical event?
What methods do you use to ensure that your historical findings are accurate?
What challenges have you faced when researching and verifying historical events?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your field?
How do you demonstrate objectivity when analyzing historical evidence?
How would you go about creating a timeline of a particular event, or period in history?
What tools do you use to analyze and interpret data related to historical events?
How do you decide which sources of information are most reliable and accurate?
How do you go about presenting your historical research in an understandable and accessible way?

Common Tools in Industry

Autopsy. A digital forensics platform used to recover evidence from digital media. (eg: recover deleted files from a computer)
EnCase Forensic. A software tool used to collect, analyze, and report digital evidence. (eg: analyze a hard drive for evidence of malware)
Magnet AXIOM. A computer forensics tool for recovering, analyzing, and reporting on digital evidence. (eg: create timeline visualizations of digital activity)
X-Ways Forensics. A software program used to analyze digital evidence from a variety of sources. (eg: extract data from a mobile device)
FTK Imager. A forensic imaging software used to acquire data from digital media for analysis. (eg: create a disk image of a hard drive)
Sleuth Kit. A suite of open source forensic tools used to analyze disk images and recover data. (eg: identify deleted files on a disk image)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS)
International Association for Identification (IAI)
International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)
Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction (ACSR)
International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT)
Forensic Archaeology Association (FAA)
Forensic Science Society (FSS)

We also have Museum Curator, Environmental Historian, and Historical Geographer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Archaeological Evidence. Physical evidence recovered from archaeological sites and excavations that can help to reconstruct the past.
Forensic Anthropology. The application of physical anthropology to legal cases, typically involving the analysis of skeletal remains.
Document Analysis. The examination of historical documents to uncover information and interpret meaning.
Oral History. The method of collecting information from people who experienced an event or time period first-hand.
Historical Context. The set of circumstances that existed at the time of a particular event or document.
Primary Sources. Materials created by people who experienced an event or time period firsthand.
Secondary Sources. Materials written by others who have interpreted or analyzed primary sources.
Chronology. A timeline of events or documents in chronological order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Forensic Historian?

A Forensic Historian is an expert in historical research and analysis who uses their knowledge to analyze legal issues or disputes. They apply their expertise to evaluate evidence, reconstruct events and interpret documents to provide an accurate and impartial analysis.

What kind of qualifications are needed to become a Forensic Historian?

To become a Forensic Historian, you must possess a Master's degree in history or related field, and have extensive experience in research and analysis. Additionally, many employers require a background in law or legal studies.

What type of work does a Forensic Historian do?

A Forensic Historian evaluates and analyzes evidence in legal cases or disputes, reconstructs historical events, and interprets documents to provide an accurate and impartial analysis. They may also be consulted to identify and authenticate documents or artifacts related to a case.

What skills are necessary for a Forensic Historian?

A Forensic Historian must possess strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills. They must also have excellent communication skills to effectively convey their findings to clients or legal teams. Additionally, they must have a thorough knowledge of history and its methods of research.

How much does a Forensic Historian typically earn?

According to PayScale.com, the median salary for a Forensic Historian is $60,477 per year, with salaries ranging from $36,000 to $110,000 depending on experience and location.

Web Resources

Forensic Anthropology - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural naturalhistory.si.edu
History - Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program forensics.tamu.edu
Forensic Science | Institute of Agriculture and Natural forensic.unl.edu