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National

Median wages (2008) $23.97 hourly, $49,860 annual
Employment (2006) 13,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016) Much faster than average (21% or higher)
Projected need (2006-2016) 9,000 additional employees
19-4092.00 - 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.

Sample of reported job titles: Crime Scene Technician, Criminalist, Forensic Scientist, Crime Scene Investigator, Evidence Technician, Crime Scene Analyst, Latent Print Examiner, Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Specialist, Latent Fingerprint 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 chemicals and other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
  • Testify in court about investigative and analytical methods and findings.
  • Take photographs of evidence.
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
  • Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
  • Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
  • Train new technicians and other personnel on forensic science techniques.

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Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Biological evidence collection kits — Blood collection kits; Body fluid collection kits; Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
Footprint lifters — Electrostatic dust print lifters; Gel lifters; Impression casting kits
Specimen collectors — Evidence collection containers; Glass specimen jars; Plastic specimen jars
Tape measures — Crime scene tape measures; Steel measuring tape
Ultraviolet UV lamps — Long-wave ultraviolet UV lamps; Ultraviolet UV lights

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — DNA sequence analysis software; Laboratory information management system LIMS software
Data base user interface and query software — Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS; Combined DNA Index System CODIS *; Microsoft Access; National Crime Information Center NCIC database
Electronic mail software — IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus; Midwest Information Systems PAX-it; The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

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