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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: 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

Tasks

• 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.
• Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
• Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
• Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
• Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
• Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
• Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
• Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
• Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.

Knowledge

• Law and Government
• Public Safety and Security
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Customer and Personal Service
• Administration and Management
• Administrative
• Chemistry
• Biology

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Science
• Monitoring
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Fluency of Ideas
• Perceptual Speed
• Speed of Closure
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness