What is a forensic science technician?
Forensic science technicians use science to decide questions arising from crime
or litigation. Forensic scientists photograph, draw, measure, reconstruct activities,
and identify, collect and preserve evidence during crime scene investigations.
What do forensic science technicians do?
Forensic science technicians analyze crime scene evidence such as blood, saliva,
semen, drugs, and fingerprints. Most specialize in areas such as DNA analysis
or firearm examination, and perform scientific tests on weapons or substances
to determine significance to the criminal investigation. Other specialty areas
include:
- Forensic engineering- crash, accident, or structural failure analysis
- Forensic entomology- problems relating to time of death, body decay
and the population of insect larvae
- Criminalistics- analyzing, comparing, identifying and interpreting
physical evidence
- Crime scene investigation- managing and collecting evidence
- Polygraph examination- conducting and interpreting polygraph tests
- Document examination- problems relating to dating and source of
paper and ink documents
Forensic scientists also prepare reports documenting their findings
and the laboratory techniques used. When criminal cases come to trial,
forensic science technicians often testify as expert witnesses, on specific
laboratory findings by identifying and classifying substances, materials,
and other evidence collected at the crime scene.
Where do forensic science technicians work?
Forensic scientists generally work for state, federal or private crime laboratories.
They may also work for medical examiners offices, hospitals, universities,
toxicology laboratories, police departments, medical examiner/coroner offices,
or as independent forensic science consultants.
What kind of training will I need to become a forensic
science technician?
At minimum, you’ll need a four-year bachelor's degree in the biological
or physical sciences or in forensic technology to work in the field. Most
programs offer subspecialty areas of forensic study such as criminalistics,
pathology, or toxicology. Many forensic scientists have master’s or doctorate
degrees in their area of specialty. To gain experience, you may want to
volunteer in a crime or toxicology laboratory or at a medical examiner’s
facility.
What are the licensing or certification requirements
for a forensic science technician?
While there are no mandatory licensing requirements, most forensic scientists
receive certification from one or more of the forensic specialty boards
such as the American Board of Criminalistics, the American Board of Forensic
Entomology, or the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners. The American
Board of Forensic Toxicology and the National Registry in Clinical Chemistry
both certify Forensic Toxicologists. The American Board of Medicolegal Death
Investigators (ABMDI) confers the title Registered Medicolegal Death Investigator.
What is the salary range for forensic science technicians?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experienced forensic scientists
earn between $35,000 and $50,000 per year. Federal salaries are usually
higher.
How do I get started with my forensic science technician
career?
First, find schools with programs that interest you. Then, request info
from the departments to get started on your new career.
