Forensic Science Technicians
Also called:
Crime Scene Technician, Criminalist, Forensic Scientist, Crime Scene Investigator
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 chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Arts and Humanities
Safety and Government
- law and government
- public safety and security
Business
- customer service
- administrative services
Math and Science
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Basic Skills
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
- writing things for co-workers or customers
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
- understanding people's reactions
- changing what is done based on other people's actions
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Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Visual Understanding
- see hidden patterns
- quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Ideas and Logic
- make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
- use rules to solve problems
Hand and Finger Use
- put together small parts with your fingers
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People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Analytical Thinking
- Stress Tolerance
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You might use software like this on the job:
Graphics or photo imaging software
- Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus
- Midwest Information Systems PAX-it
Data base user interface and query software
- Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
Electronic mail software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Microsoft Outlook
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bachelor's degree or
associate's degree
usually needed
Get started on your career:
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New job opportunities are likely in the future.
$52,840
per year, on average
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You might like a career in one of these industries:
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