"Oh, it's like CSI…": A Qualitative Study of Job Satisfaction Experiences of Forensic Scientists

“Oh, it’s like CSI…”: A Qualitative Study of Job Satisfaction Experiences of Forensic Scientists goes beyond the glamorous portrayals of CSI professionals on television to highlight the real sources of job satisfaction among forensic scientists. Drawing on interviews with current forensic scientists, this book concludes that forensic scientists experience the most satisfaction in helping victims, the community, and society at large.

Table of Contents:
Table Preface Foreword Acknowledgments Chapter One. Introduction Introduction to the Problem Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Research Question Significance of the Study Definition of Terms Assumptions and Limitations Nature of the Study Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Previous Methodologies Used to Measure Job Satisfaction Theory Guiding the Study Organization of the Remainder of the Study Chapter Two. Literature Review Introduction Relevant Literature Overview of Stress in Law Enforcement Overview of Job Satisfaction in Law Enforcement Forensic Science and Forensic Scientists Job Satisfaction and Forensic Personnel The Current Study Summary Chapter Three. Methodology Introduction Theoretical Framework Research Design Sample Design Measures Field Testing Data Collection Procedures Data Analysis Procedures Limitations of Methodology and Strategies for Minimizing Impact Credibility Transferability Expected Findings Ethical Issues Conclusion Chapter Four. Data Collection and Analysis Introduction The Researcher Participants’ Demographics Interview Guide Questions Participants’ Profiles Data Collection Data Analysis Data Clustering and Thematizing Research Findings Theme One: Comparison to Forensics on TV Theme Two: Unrealistic Expectations From Others Theme Three: CSI Effect Hinders Job Theme Four: Job is Satisfying Theme Five: Work Affects Lives of Others Major Findings The Research Question Goals of the Interview Questions Summary Chapter Five. Results, Conclusions, and Recommendations Introduction The Research Question Summary of the Theoretical Perspective Summary of Results Conclusions as Related to the Literature Limitations of the Study Significance of the Study Implications and Future Recommendations Future Recommendations References Index About the Authors

About the Author :
Tharinia Dukes-Robinson is a former Questioned Document Examiner with California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services. Dukes-Robinson is currently an assistant professor of Criminal Justice at Piedmont College in Demorest and Athens Georgia. Ashraf Esmail is an assistant professor of Criminal Justice at Dillard University. Heserves on the board of directors for the National Association for Peace/Anti-Violence Education. He serves as the proposal review lead for the National Association for Multicultural Education. He is senior editor for the Journal of Education and Social Justice.

Review :
Dukes-Robinson and Esmail have assembled several significant aspects of discourses on forensic science. This excellent outcome of a good length of research would satisfy the thrust of readers to a great extent in the field. This is a timely and important book that should be read by scholars and students as well as general readers in understanding the complexity of the discourses in forensic science to extend the application of this technique in the criminal justice systems. Dukes-Robinson and Esmail provide invaluable insights into the real world experiences of crime lab workers. Intensive interviews challenge the glamor and excitement motivators provided by popular television shows. Revealing the everyday realities of forensic lab work, this study demonstrates the potency of intrinsic motivators associated with this service industry. This work will be very useful for courses in Forensics, Criminal Justice and Research Methods.