Two years into her career as a Scenes of Crime officer with the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Senior Constable Taylor Buchanan describes her role as "the best job in the world''.
Her position combines her passions for science and community service, as she plays a pivotal role in collecting evidence to solve crimes and provide support to victims.
"Being a member of the Forensic Services Group (FSG) is easily the best job in the QPS," Senior Constable Buchanan said.
"It's such a fulfilling role as we are the ones who find the evidence which identifies the offenders.
"I'm living my dream every day, working at a job I genuinely love.
"Part of the attraction of working in forensics is making a difference in the community by helping victims of crime.''
Senior Constable Buchanan's interest in forensics was sparked by television shows such as CSI: New York (2004-2013), revealing she watched all 197 episodes of the series when she was a teenager.
She said every day is different in her role as a Scenes of Crime officer, which offers challenging and rewarding opportunities.
"As a Scenes of Crime officer, I go to crime scenes and conduct forensic procedures, such as collecting DNA and fingerprints to identify who has committed crimes such as break and enters, burglaries, stealing vehicles and homicides,'' Senior Constable Buchanan said.
"A typical day involves helping to give victims of crime that sense of security in their own home, and it's really rewarding to be identifying evidence to help solve the case and give them that closure.''
Senior Constable Buchanan served more than three years as a general duties officer before successfully applying to join Forensics Services Group (FSG) and completing the year-long training to become a Scenes of Crime Officer.
She hopes to one day become a Forensic Scientific Officer, once she completes her Bachelor of Forensic Science.
For those considering a forensic science career in the QPS, Senior Constable Buchanan emphasised the importance of being detail-oriented, having strong communication skills, empathy for victims and a passion in science.
"We often get called out at a moment's notice to attend a major crime, to support investigators and assist in helping solve that crime, that's what I love about this job as you never know what the day will bring because at a moment's notice, everything can change,'' she said.
"I really feel part of a big forensic family as we all have a passion to collect and analyse evidence at crime scenes as part of playing our role in helping to keep Queensland communities safe.''
To find out how you can join Forensic Services Group go to: www.policerecruit.qld.gov.au/specialised-roles-and-areas
A career with the Queensland Police Service offers diverse roles, unique challenges, and the chance to make a real difference every day. From emergency response and crime prevention to community engagement and public safety, no two days are ever the same.
From our bustling cities to remote towns and pristine coastline, policing in Queensland offers a career and lifestyle as diverse as the communities you'll serve.
Looking for a career that stands for more? Stand with us in a challenging and rewarding career. Visit policerecruit.qld.gov.au to apply now.
