Occupation
Forensic Science Technicians
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.
$72,060 medianBright outlookTraining or associate
O*NET 31.0 · 19-4092.00
A typical week, in the words of people in the job
- 01Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- 02Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- 03Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- 04Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- 05Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- 06Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
- 07Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- 08Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
- 09Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
- 10Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
- 11Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
- 12Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
Task statements ranked by how many workers report them · O*NET 31.0
What the posting will be called
CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)CriminalistForensic ScientistCrime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)Forensic Science ExaminerForensic SpecialistLatent Print Examiner
Titles reported by employers for this occupation. Search job boards with these, not the O*NET name.
Knowledge the job leans on
Law and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementChemistry
Skills that carry over from service
Complex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationService OrientationSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime Management