Forensic Science Technician Career

forensic-scientist-500Forensic Science Technicians use science in the service of criminal and civil laws. The field includes analyzing artwork for forgeries, retrieving digital information, identifying drugs and toxins within the body, DNA and fingerprint analysis and the collection of crime scene evidence. Many Forensic Science Technicians work alongside the police to analyze evidence and solve crimes.

Forensic science technicians can work in a lab environment with steady full-time hours, but often they are on call to work overtime and analyze new crime scenes. Small police departments may only have one part-time forensic specialist, but larger cities and state forensic specialists are busier and may travel often. Forensic science technicians can work exclusively in laboratories, but many crime scene analysts collect the evidence themselves.

Forensic Science Technician Career Snapshot

Further details on a career as a forensic science technician are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$56,320

is the average annual pay for forensic science technicians.

27%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

25%

have a Post-secondary certificate while 25% have a Bachelor’s degree.

Forensic Science Tech Education

Most Forensic science technicians have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or a forensic science. Many crime scene investigators are also sworn police officers and some on the job training is required. Most crime scene investigators learn under a more experienced forensic specialist, and additional tests are usually required before working independently.

Forensic Science Tech Job Outlook

Forensic science is projected to grow significantly as a field thanks to technological advances and public expectations. BLS.gov projects the job growth at 27%. However, there is considerable interest and competition for the available positions because of popular media.

Forensic Science Tech Salaries

According to BLS.gov, the average yearly salary for a Forensic Science Technician was $56,320 in 2015. The annual income for the lowest 10% is $34,000, and the annual income for the highest 10% is $94,410.

Forensic Science Tech Job Duties

O*Net summarizes the typical forensic science technician duties as keeping records and filing reports of findings, collecting and correctly storing crime scene evidence, testifying in court about the evidence, using video and photographic documentation and collecting information from people, crime scenes and morgues. Depending on the branch of forensic science, knowledge of various computer software programs, natural sciences, laws and accounting practices may also be needed. Calm, detail-oriented analysis and good communication skills are essential to performing forensic science testing, analysis and reporting.

Forensic Science Technician Skills & Traits

Forensic Science Tech Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Forensic Science Techs:Typical Work Activities:
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Writing
• Flexibility of Closure
• Inductive Reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Footprint lifters
• Specimen collection container
• Still cameras
• Tape measures
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Documenting Information
• Getting Information
• Communicating with Others
• Using Relevant Knowledge

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