Forensic Science Technicians

What Does a 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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
• 2Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
• 3Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
• 4Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
• 5Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
• 6Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
• 7Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
• 8Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.

Required Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Adobe Photoshop
• Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
• Combined DNA Index System CODIS
• Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
• Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
• DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
• DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
• DM2 Bills of Lading
• Eos Systems PhotoModeler
• Graphics software

Forensic Science Technicians Salary