Forensic Science Technicians

Summary

Forensic scientists and crime scene investigators help solve crimes by collecting and analyzing evidence.

Quick Facts: Forensic Science Technicians
2010 Median Pay	$51,570 per year $24.79 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	13,000
Job Outlook, 2010-20	19% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	2,400

What Forensic Science Technicians Do

Forensic science technicians help investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Most technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.

Work Environment

Crime scene investigators may work long hours under distressing conditions. Most laboratory forensic science technicians work full time during normal business hours.

How to Become a Forensic Science Technician

Educational requirements for crime scene investigators vary by employer. Forensic science technicians who work in laboratories need a bachelor’s degree.

Pay

The median annual wage of forensic science technicians was $51,570 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of forensic science technicians is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Competition for jobs will be strong because of substantial interest in forensic science.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forensic science technicians with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about forensic science technicians by contacting these additional resources.

What Forensic Science Technicians Do About this section

Crime scene investigators collect evidence from crime scenes.

Forensic science technicians help investigate crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. Most technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.

Duties

At crime scenes, forensic science technicians, also known as crime scene investigators, typically do the following:

• Walk through the scene to determine what and how evidence should be collected
• Take photographs of the crime scene and evidence
• Make sketches of the crime scene
• Keep written notes of their observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence as it is found
• Collect all relevant physical evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids
• Catalog and preserve evidence before transferring it to a crime lab

Crime scene investigators may use tweezers, black lights, and specialized kits to identify and collect evidence. In addition to processing crime scenes, they may also attend autopsies.

In laboratories, forensic science technicians typically do the following:

• Identify and classify crime scene evidence through scientific analysis
• Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity using the results of chemical and physical analyses
• Consult with experts in related or specialized fields, such as toxicology, about the evidence and their findings
• Reconstruct crime scenes based on scientific findings

Forensic science technicians reconstruct crime scenes by carefully studying information gathered by investigators and conducting scientific tests on physical evidence. For example, lab technicians may look at photographs of blood splatter patterns and conduct ballistics tests on bullets found at the crime scene to determine the direction from which a shot was fired.

Forensic science technicians who work in laboratories use chemicals and laboratory equipment such as microscopes when analyzing evidence. They also use computer databases to examine fingerprints, DNA, and other evidence collected at crime scenes in order to match them to people and things that have already been identified. Most forensic science technicians who perform laboratory analysis specialize in a specific type of evidence analysis, such as DNA or ballistics.

All forensic science technicians prepare written reports that detail their findings and investigative methods. They must be able to explain their reports to lawyers, detectives, and other law enforcement officials. In addition, forensic science technicians may be called to testify in court about their findings and methods.

Work Environment About this section

Forensic science technicians work in laboratories.

Forensic science technicians held about 13,000 jobs in 2010. About 9 in 10 forensic science technicians work in state and local government in the following workplaces:

• Police departments
• Crime laboratories
• Morgues
• Medical examiner/coroner offices

Crime scene investigators must travel to different locations around a city or region because crimes can occur anywhere. Crime scene investigation can be distressing and unpleasant because investigators see many disturbing sights.

Work Schedules

Crime scene investigators work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because they must always be available to collect evidence. Technicians working in laboratories usually work a standard work week, although they may have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a crime scene.

How to Become a Forensic Science Technician About this section

Forensic science technicians keep written notes of their observations and findings.

The educational requirements for crime scene investigators vary by employer. Forensic science technicians need a bachelor’s degree to work in crime labs. Extensive amounts of on-the-job training are required for both those who investigate crime scenes and those who work in labs.

Education

Many crime scene investigators are sworn police officers and have met educational requirements necessary for admittance to the police academy. Applicants for non-uniform crime scene investigator jobs at larger law enforcement agencies should have a bachelor’s degree in either forensic science or a natural science, but many rural agencies hire applicants with a high school diploma. For more information on police officers, see the profile on police and detectives.

Technicians who work in crime laboratories typically need a bachelor’s degree in either forensic science or a natural science such as biology or chemistry. Students who major in forensic science should ensure that their program includes extensive course work in mathematics, chemistry, and biology. A list of schools that offer degrees in forensic science is available from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Important Qualities

Composure. Crime scenes can be gruesome, but technicians have to maintain their professionalism.

Critical-thinking skills. Forensic science technicians use their best judgment when matching physical evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, to suspects.

Detail oriented. Forensic science technicians cannot afford to make mistakes when they collect and analyze evidence.

Problem-solving skills. Forensic science technicians use scientific tests and methods to help law enforcement officials solve crimes.

Speaking skills. Forensic science technicians frequently present their findings to police and other law enforcement workers. They may be called upon to provide expert testimony in a court of law.

Writing skills. Forensic science technicians prepare written reports that must stand up to legal scrutiny.

Training

Forensic science technicians need extensive on-the-job training before they are ready to work on cases independently.

Newly hired crime scene investigators serve as apprentices to more experienced investigators. During their apprenticeship, investigators learn proper procedures and methods for collecting and documenting evidence.

Forensic science technicians learn laboratory specialties on the job. The length of this training varies by specialty. Most DNA-analysis training programs last 6 to 12 months, but firearms-analysis training may last up to 3 years. Technicians need to pass a proficiency exam before they may perform independent casework or testify in court.

Throughout their careers, forensic science technicians need to keep abreast of advances in technology and science that improve the collection or analysis of evidence.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of forensic science technicians was $51,570 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,900, and the top 10 percent earned more than $82,990.

Crime scene investigators work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because they must always be available to collect evidence. Technicians working in laboratories usually work a standard workweek, although they may have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a crime scene.  

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Technological advances and the growing awareness of forensic evidence among potential jurors are expected to increase the use of forensic evidence in criminal proceedings. More forensic science technicians will be needed to provide timely forensics information to law enforcement agencies and courts.

Job Prospects

Competition for jobs should be stiff because of the substantial interest in forensic science and crime scene investigation spurred by its portrayal in popular media. Applicants with experience or a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field should have the best opportunities.

Year to year, the number of job openings available will vary based on federal, state, and local law enforcement budgets.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about forensic science technicians and for a list of schools that offer degrees in forensic science, visit

American Academy of Forensic Sciences