BusinessHABHow do I become a Forensic Science Technician?: Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations.
By collecting and analyzing evidence.
Many technicians specialize in various types of laboratory analysis.
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
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1. Forensic Science Technician
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.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?:
2. Forensic Science Technician
Following is everything you need to know about a career.
As a forensic science technician with lots of details.
As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs.
Which are real jobs with real employers.
You will be able to see the very real job career requirements.
For employers who are actively hiring.
3. What Forensic Science Technicians Do
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations.
By collecting and analyzing evidence.
Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.
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4. Duties of Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians work in laboratories and on crime scenes.
At crime scenes, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how
- Take photographs of the crime scene and evidence
- Make sketches of the crime scene
- Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence
- Collect evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids
- Catalog and preserve evidence for transfer to crime labs
- Reconstruct crime scenes
In laboratories, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Perform chemical, biological, and microscopic analyses on evidence taken from crime scenes
- Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity.
- Using the results of DNA or other scientific analyses
- Consult with experts in specialized fields, such as toxicology (the study of poisons and their effect on the body) and odontology (a branch of forensic medicine that concentrates on teeth)
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How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?:
5. Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians may be generalists who perform many.
Or all of the duties listed above.
Or they may specialize in certain techniques and sciences.
Generalist forensic science technicians, sometimes called criminalists.
Or crime scene investigators.
Collect evidence at the scene of a crime.
And perform scientific and technical analysis in laboratories or offices.
6. Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians who work primarily in laboratories.
May specialize in the natural sciences or engineering.
These workers, such as forensic biologists and forensic chemists.
Typically use chemicals and laboratory equipment.
Such as microscopes when analyzing evidence.
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How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
7. Forensic Science Technician
They also may use computers to examine DNA, substances.
And other evidence collected at crime scenes.
They often work to match evidence to people or other known elements.
Such as vehicles or weapons.
Most forensic science technicians who perform laboratory analysis.
Specialize in a specific type of evidence, such as DNA or ballistics.
8. Forensic Science Technician
Some forensic science technicians, called forensic computer examiners.
Or digital forensics analysts, specialize in computer-based crimes.
They collect and analyze data to uncover.
And prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identity theft.
The abundance of digital data helps them solve crimes in the physical world as well.
Computer forensics technicians must adhere to the same strict standards of evidence gathering.
Found in general forensic science because legal cases depend on the integrity of evidence.
All forensic science technicians prepare written reports.
That detail their findings and investigative methods.
They must be able to explain their reports to lawyers, detectives.
And other law enforcement officials.
In addition, forensic science technicians may be called to testify in court.
About their findings and methods.
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9. Work Environment for Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians may have to work outside in all types of weather.
Spend many hours in laboratories and offices.
Or do some combination of both.
They often work with specialists and other law enforcement personnel.
Many specialist forensic science technicians work only in laboratories.
Crime scene investigators may travel throughout their jurisdictions.
Which may be cities, counties, or states.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
10. Forensic Science Technician Work Schedules
Crime scene investigators may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts.
And may have to work overtime.
Because they must always be available to collect or analyze evidence.
Technicians working in laboratories usually work a standard workweek.
Although they may have to be on call outside of normal business hours.
If they are needed to work immediately on a case.
11. Education you need:
Find schools for Forensic Science Technicians near you!
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science.
Such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science.
On-the-job training is usually required.
Both for those who investigate crime scenes and for those who work in labs.
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12. Education for Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor‘s degree in a natural science.
Such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science.
Forensic science programs may specialize in a specific area of study.
Such as toxicology, pathology, or DNA.
Students who enroll in general natural science programs.
Should make an effort to take classes related to forensic science.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
13. Forensic Science Technician
A list of schools that offer degrees in forensic science is available from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Many of those who seek to become forensic science technicians.
Will have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences and a master’s degree in forensic science.
Many crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers.
And have met educational requirements.
Necessary for admittance into a police academy.
Applicants for civilian crime scene investigator jobs.
Should have a bachelor‘s degree in either forensic science.
With a strong basic science background, or the natural sciences.
For more information on police officers, see the profile on police and detectives.
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14. Forensic Science Technician Training
Forensic science technicians receive on-the-job training.
Before they are ready to work on cases independently.
Newly hired crime scene investigators may work under experienced investigators.
While they learn proper procedures and methods for collecting and documenting evidence.
15. Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians learn laboratory specialties on the job.
The length of this training varies by specialty, but is usually less than a year.
Technicians may need to pass a proficiency exam.
Or otherwise be approved by a laboratory or accrediting body.
Before they are allowed to perform independent casework.
Throughout their careers, forensic science technicians need to keep up with advances in technology.
And science that improve the collection or analysis of evidence.
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How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
16. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Forensic Science Technicians
A range of licenses and certifications is available to help credential.
And aid in the professional development of, many types of forensic science technicians.
Certifications and licenses are not typically necessary for entry into the occupation.
Credentials can vary widely because standards and regulations vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another.
17. Important Qualities for Forensic Science Technicians
Communication skills. Forensic science technicians write reports and testify in court.
They often work with other law enforcement officials and specialists.
Critical-thinking skills. Forensic science technicians use their best judgment when matching physical evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, to suspects.
Detail oriented. Forensic science technicians must be able to notice small changes in mundane objects to be good at collecting and analyzing evidence.
Math and science skills. Forensic science technicians need a solid understanding of statistics and natural sciences to be able to analyze evidence.
Problem-solving skills. Forensic science technicians use scientific tests and methods to help law enforcement officials solve crimes.
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18. Job Outlook for Forensic Science Technicians
Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 14 percent.
Over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
However, because it is a small occupation.
The fast growth will result in only about 2,400 new jobs over the 10-year period.
19. Forensic Science Technician
State and local governments are expected to hire additional forensic science technicians.
To process their high case loads.
Additionally, scientific and technological advances are expected to increase the availability.
Reliability, and usefulness of objective forensic information used as evidence in trials.
As a result, forensic science technicians will be able to provide even greater value than before.
And more forensic science technicians will be needed.
To provide timely forensics information to law enforcement agencies and courts.
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20. Job Prospects for Forensic Science Technicians
Competition for jobs is expected to be strong.
Applicants who have a master’s degree should have the best opportunities.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
21. Job Duties and Tasks for: “Forensic Science Technician”
1) Testify in court about investigative and analytical methods and findings.
2) Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
3) Interpret laboratory findings and test results in order to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Forensic Science Technician
4) Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
5) Prepare solutions, reagents, and sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
6) Analyze and classify biological fluids using DNA typing or serological techniques.
Forensic Science Technician
7) Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
8) Identify and quantify drugs and poisons found in biological fluids and tissues, in foods, and at crime scenes.
9) Analyze handwritten and machine-produced textual evidence to decipher altered or obliterated text or to determine authorship, age, and/or source
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
10) Reconstruct crime scenes in order to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
11) Examine DNA samples to determine if they match other samples.
12) Collect impressions of dust from surfaces in order to obtain and identify fingerprints.
13) Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths in order to determine how shootings occurred.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
14) Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes.
Or contact other sources in order to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
15) Examine physical evidence such as hair, fiber, wood.
Or soil residues in order to obtain information about its source and composition.
16) Determine types of bullets used in shooting and if fired from a specific weapon.
How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?
17) Examine firearms in order to determine mechanical condition and legal status.
Performing restoration work on damaged firearms in order to obtain information such as serial numbers.
18) Interpret the pharmacological effects of a drug or a combination of drugs on an individual.
19) Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
20) Compare objects such as tools with impression marks in order to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
Conclusion
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor‘s degree in a natural science, such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science. On-the-job training is generally required for both those who investigate crime scenes and those who work in labs.
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