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Forensic Science Technicians

Also called: Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Criminalist, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Forensic Scientist

What they 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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Safety and Government

  • law and government
  • public safety and security

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Graphics software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $63,740

Education

Certificate after high school or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

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