Forensic Science Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-4092
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
• Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
• Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

Tools and technology

Adobe Photoshop, Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Word, 35 millimeter cameras, Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Police Identification and Records Officers
• Digital Forensics Analysts
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators
• Coroners
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Intelligence Analysts

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Forensic Science Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.