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Forensic Technician
Collect, catalog, and properly store important crime scene evidence.
Outlook
Good
National Salary
$33,000 – $83,000
Data from U.S. Department of Labor
What do Forensic Technicians do?
A Forensic Technician works alongside a Forensic Investigator at a crime scene and a Forensic Scientist at the lab. As a Forensic Technician, you collect evidence at the crime scene, and meticulously catalogue and store everything you find. You may collect hair, fluid, or fiber samples, and then you take those back to the lab where you work with the Forensic Scientist to run tests on the evidence.
Many Forensic Technicians choose to specialize in a certain area, whether that’s in biology, toxicology, pathology, or odontology. Whatever specialty you choose though, your job is to always take your samples and search for clues, links, and answers to the questions the Forensic Investigator has posed.
You use high-tech equipment to perform tests on the various samples you’ve collected, all with the intention of finding a match in the police database, or a match between samples at the very least. And then the results of those tests go into a report you’re responsible for writing up and giving to the police. The police can then use the evidence you’ve gathered to track down criminals and aid their investigation in other ways.
Another aspect of your job involves testifying in court about cases you’ve worked on. So it’s important that you can speak confidently about those cases, as well as your area of expertise in general.
This career will take you to many places and into various situations, but your most important role remains back at the crime lab, where your best work comes out. And because you will most likely have decided to specialize in a certain area before starting work, you really get to focus on what you love to do.
Should I be a Forensic Technician?
You should have
a
bachelor's
degree or higher and share these traits:
Team Player:
You're able to listen, communicate, and work with tons of different people.
Detail Oriented:
You pay close attention to all the little details.
Trustworthy:
You are known for your personal integrity and honesty.
Also known as:
Computer Forensics Technician, Crime Lab Technician, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Technician, Crime Specialist
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How to become a Forensic Technician
Most Forensic Technicians have a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree. Start by getting your Bachelor's degree.
Check out these schools offering Forensic Technician related education!
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