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Forensic Science Technicians - 19-4092.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)
Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)
Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)
Criminalist
CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)

Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)
Forensic Science Examiner
Forensic Scientist
Forensic Specialist
Latent Print Examiner

SOC Occupation Groups

19-0000	Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4000	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians
19-4090	Miscellaneous Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians
19-4092.00	Forensic Science Technicians

Related Occupations

13-1041.06	Coroners Bright Outlook
13-2099.04	Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
15-1299.06	Digital Forensics Analysts
29-2011.00	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
29-2012.00	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
29-2012.01	Histology Technicians
33-3021.00	Detectives and Criminal Investigators
33-3021.02	Police Identification and Records Officers
33-3021.06	Intelligence Analysts
33-9021.00	Private Detectives and Investigators

Tasks

Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.
Analyze DNA data to identify DNA donor profiles.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.