Forensic Science Technicians

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

• Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)
• Criminalist
• CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)
• Forensic Scientist

Alternate Job Titles

• Ballistician
• Ballistics Technician (Ballistics Tech)
• Biometric Fingerprint Technician (Biometric Fingerprint Tech)
• Biometric Fingerprinting Technician (Biometric Fingerprinting Tech)
• Biometrician
• Blood Splatter Analyst
• Computer Forensics Technician (Computer Forensics Tech)
• Crime Analyst
• Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)
• Crime Lab Technician (Crime Laboratory Technician)
• Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)
• Crime Scene Examiner
• Crime Scene Specialist
• Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)
• Crime Specialist

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities 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.
• 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.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Enter data into databases.
• Operate drones to capture aerial footage or photographs of crime scenes for further analysis.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Law and Government
• Public Safety and Security
• Education and Training
• English Language

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Active Listening
3. Writing
4. Speaking
5. Critical Thinking
6. Complex Problem Solving

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Flexibility of Closure
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Attention to Detail
• Integrity
• Dependability
• Cautiousness
• Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Support
• Recognition
• Achievement
• Independence
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Photoshop
• Linux
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

• 35 millimeter cameras
• Benchtop mixers
• Biohazard suits
• Blood collection kits
• Body fluid collection kits
• Breathalyzers
• Colored camera filters
• Crime scene evidence flags
• Crime scene tape measures
• Cyanoacrylate fuming chambers
• Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Digital video cameras
• Distance measuring wheels

Work Environment

• E-Mail
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Frequency of Decision Making
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$45,560
Median	$67,440
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$110,710

Workers Employed Nationally: 19,450

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.