Andrea Hansen

COMM 1010-833-303

Professor Stephen Haslam

4 February 2019

Interview Project Part 1: Career Research

I chose to interview a Forensic Science Professor from Salt Lake Community College,

named Jefferson Itami. I chose this instructor because he worked for many years as a Senior

Forensic/Crime Scene Analyst for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office. He has taught at

different schools, including Utah Valley University (Rate My Teachers) and the University of

Utah (University of Utah). He has a professional LinkedIn account, where he talks about his

career and the various criminal justice activities he participates in (LinkedIn). I chose Mr. Itami

because he has worked in a variety of fields within Criminal Justice, and in fact, has had a lot of

experience in the Forensics field. I contacted Mr. Itami via email, and I will be conducting the

interview at the Salt Lake Community College Miller Campus. I chose that location because that

is where Mr. Itami teaches his classes, and it is a close location to where both of us will be

during the time of day that the interview will be held at.

I know that asking Mr. Itami questions about being a Forensic Scientist will be beneficial

because he has worked as one for many years, and has taught the skill at different colleges. He

has also taught at Utah Valley University, which is where I plan on transferring to after I receive

my Associate Degree in General Education. Since Mr. Itami has taught at the school I plan to go

to, and has worked in the field I plan to go into, I believe he will be a great resource for me.
 I chose this career because I have always been interested in the science behind solving

crimes, and I have always wanted to be a part of that process. Forensic Science jobs are

demanding, but they are well worth the effort. The nature of the work is collecting evidence,

packaging evidence correctly, being able to test the evidence correctly in a laboratory setting,

and following all procedures to ensure that the evidence is being handled properly (because if it

is mishandled, the whole case could fall apart). The daily activities involved with this job include

paying very close attention to details within the crime scene, and while processing evidence,

keeping track of the chain of custody when on a crime scene, making sure to wear all personal

protective equipment when on the crime scene, and making sure that all evidence is being

documented and collected properly so that you can retrieve all the necessary information (Learn

How to Become).

The average pay scale for a Forensic Scientist in Utah depends on where you are

employed, and also depends on the credentials you hold. Average yearly salary is around

$50,020, with pay starting out at $34,040 and going up to around $66,650 (Sokanu).
 Works Cited

Rate My Teachers. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jefferson-itami/3709244-t.

University of Utah. Instructor information. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://continue.utah.edu/osher/instructor/587957.

LinkedIn. Jefferson Itami. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-itami-ba89b35a.

Learn How to Become. Dr. Raychelle Burks. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/forensic-science-careers/.

Payscale. Average Forensic Scientist Hourly Pay. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Forensic_Scientist/Hourly_Rate/4e2eec9e/S

alt-Lake-City-UT.

Sokanu. Forensic Scientist Technician Salary. Accessed 4 Feb 2019.

https://www.sokanu.com/careers/forensic-science-technician/salary/utah/#how-much.