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.
CAREER
Forensic Science Technicians
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$64,940
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+14.1% (faster than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This 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
Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst), Crime Scene Analyst (CSA), Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Criminalist, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech), Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Forensic Specialist, Latent Print Examiner
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
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
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Forensic Science Technicians
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Post-secondary certificate (36%)
Post-secondary certificate
High school diploma or equivalent
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Chemistry
Graduate
Chemistry, General
Certification / License
Crime scene investigation
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
You have to be compassionate towards people. Sometimes, I have to deal with some really thoughtless crimes, and it's hard to remember that my job is in service of the people. But that compassion is crucial because you have to give every crime your best effort, even if you inherently want to give more attention to the more exciting crimes. You also have to know how to act out in the field. I'm not just a forensics specialist; I'm also dealing with people and acting as an ambassador for the LAPD.
Communication is important. You need to be able to ask questions, understand what’s going on, and tell anyone if you need anything. It’s important to speak with the officer on scene or even the victims to know what you will be doing. Also be aware of your surroundings while on scene for safety and crime scene preservation purposes. At my agency, I had to be quick at learning how to do things I had never done before.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Find someone who has information about becoming a crime scene investigator. They can tell you what programs to join or what schools offer a forensic science program. They can also help you find a job in the field. It’s a small field so networking is a good idea. I kept in contact with the coordinator of my CSI certificate program and they helped me throughout my entire application process.
College Students
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.
