Palynologist Job Description
Palynologist Job Profile and Description
A palynologist is someone who provides consulting services to law enforcement agencies in identifying, analyzing and interpreting pollen evidence.
Duties and Responsibilities
- A palynologist has to work closely with law enforcement agencies in helping them to use pollen evidence to link criminals to the crime scene.
- He may have to use his knowledge and skills in proving the guilt or innocence of suspects of crime.
- By examining pollen rain samples, he may have to determine whether the suspect was at the crime spot.
- He has to spend a lot of his time in laboratories to study and analyze pollen evidence.
- He has to share his findings with law enforcement agencies.
- He may be required to appear in court to present evidence regarding his findings in his field.
- He usually will have to work on contract basis and as such he needs to maintain business relationships with law enforcement and crime investigating agencies.
Skills and Specifications
- A palynologist must have a strong sense of self – management to be successful in this profession.
- He must possess very high skills of perseverance as it may take several years to be a well – known palynologist in the law enforcement field.
- He should be proficient in writing and presenting reports on his field of study.
- He should possess very good interpersonal and communication skills.
- He should have a strong analytical mind and should be organized.
- He must possess teamwork capabilities as he has to work closely with attorneys, cops and law enforcement officers.
Education and Qualifications
A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a science subject like ecology or botany and a doctorate degree is required for persons who want to become a palynologist. A few years of training in the field of interest is an added advantage.