CAREER

Forensic Science Technicians

Overview

Salary Median (2020)

$60,590

Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)

+14.1% (faster than the average)

Most Common Level of Education

Bachelor's degree

Career

What Forensic Science Technicians Do

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

Other Job Titles Forensic Science Technicians May Have

CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Crime Laboratory Analyst, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Evidence Technician, Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Forensic Specialist, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Latent Print Examiner

How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work

Forensic Print Specialist III ,

Los Angeles Police Department

There are three aspects to my job: one is analytical, which means I'm in a lab, examining, analyzing, and trying to match prints. Another chunk of my job is working out in the field, analyzing a crime scene and gathering evidence. The third part of my job is the legal side of things, when I'm going to court to testify in a case. On any given day, I could be working in any one, or even all three of these roles. Personally, I prefer the analytical side, but I also enjoy being out in the field.

Forensic Specialist ,

Pasadena Police Department

I arrive and log on with dispatch. No two days are ever the same. I wait for an officer to call over the radio for forensics to either photograph or process a crime scene. Crime scenes are all different as well. Sometimes I only take photos of a victim or vandalism/graffiti. At burglaries, I take photos, dust for prints, collect prints if I find any, and also swab for DNA when available.


Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

  • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
  • Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.

This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.