What You'll Do

  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
  • Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
  • Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
  • Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
  • Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
  • Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
  • Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Active Listening 4.0/5
Writing 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Critical Thinking 4.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.62/5
Active Learning 3.38/5
Science 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.25/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.25/5
Coordination 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability, Adaptability/Flexibility, Cooperation

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Written Expression 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Flexibility of Closure 4.0/5
Near Vision 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

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 IBM Notes Image enhancement software Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS Laboratory information management system LIMS Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Integrity (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.75/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.6/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.87/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.87/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Ballistician Ballistics Technician (Ballistics Tech) Biometric Fingerprint Technician (Biometric Fingerprint Tech) Biometric Fingerprinting Technician (Biometric Fingerprinting Tech) Biometrician Blood Splatter Analyst Computer Forensics Technician (Computer Forensics Tech) Crime Analyst Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst) Crime Lab Technician (Crime Laboratory Technician) Crime Scene Analyst (CSA) Crime Scene Examiner Crime Scene Specialist Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech) Crime Specialist Criminal Justice Technician Criminalist Criminalist Technician (Criminalist Tech) Criminologist CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) Digital Forensics Analyst DNA Analyst (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Analyst) DNA Examiner (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Examiner) DNA Tech (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Technician) Evidence Specialist Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech) Fingerprint Classifier Fingerprint Technician (Fingerprint Tech) Firearms Examiner Firearms Specialist Forensic Analyst Forensic Computer Examiner Forensic Document Examiner (FDE) Forensic Examiner Forensic Investigator Forensic Lab Tech (Forensic Laboratory Technician) Forensic Nurse Examiner Forensic Science Examiner Forensic Science Technician (Forensic Science Tech) Forensic Scientist Forensic Service Tech (Forensic Services Technician) Forensic Specialist Forensic Technician (Forensic Tech) Forensic Technologist Forensic Toxicologist Latent Fingerprint Examiner Latent Print Analyst Latent Print Examiner Trace Evidence Technician (Trace Evidence Tech)