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Occupation 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.

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2008
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$14.90	$18.54	$23.97	$30.73	$38.62
	Yearly	$31,000	$38,600	$49,900	$63,900	$80,300
Colorado	Hourly	$17.34	$20.96	$25.28	$30.08	$34.96
	Yearly	$36,100	$43,600	$52,600	$62,600	$72,700

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Colorado Wage Information

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

Occupation Trends FAQs

Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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Employment Trends by Industry and Occupation

National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Forensic Science Technicians.

Knowledge:

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Skills:

• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Abilities:

• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Forensic Science Technicians.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Forensic Science Technicians.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• 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 used in shooting and if fired from a specific weapon.
• 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 physical evidence such as hair, fiber, wood or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
• Identify and quantify drugs and poisons found in biological fluids and tissues, in foods, and at crime scenes.
• Interpret laboratory findings and test results to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scenes.
• Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
• Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
• Take photographs of evidence.
• Testify in court about investigative and analytical methods and findings.
• Train new technicians and other personnel on forensic science techniques.
• Use chemicals and other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
• Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Detailed Work Activities:

• adhere to safety procedures
• advise governmental or industrial personnel
• analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
• analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings
• analyze existing evidence or facts
• analyze handwriting
• analyze medical data
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• classify plants, animals, or other natural phenomena
• collect samples for testing
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate details in protective services settings
• communicate technical information
• compile biological data for criminal investigations
• compile evidence for court actions
• compile numerical or statistical data
• conduct analyses or tests of biological material samples
• conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
• conduct analyses to determine physical properties of materials
• conduct field research or investigative studies
• conduct laboratory research or experiments
• conduct legal searches or investigations
• conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
• conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
• conduct tests or analyses of blood samples
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• confer with scientists
• cooperate with court personnel or other law enforcement agencies
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• develop or maintain databases
• develop tables depicting data
• draw maps or charts
• examine biological or other material specimens under microscope
• explain complex mathematical information
• file documents in court
• follow infectious materials procedures
• follow law enforcement methods or procedures
• follow microbiology procedures
• follow rules of evidence procedures in legal setting
• gather physical evidence
• identify fingerprints
• identify firearms or weapons
• identify properties of soil or water samples
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make decisions
• manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
• operate cameras
• operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
• prepare reports
• prepare sample for laboratory testing, analysis, or microscopy
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide expert testimony on research results
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• set up or calibrate laboratory equipment
• test materials or solutions
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand properties of gases or liquids
• understand properties or composition of drugs
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use biological research techniques
• use biological testing instruments
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use clinical sterilizing technique
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use government regulations
• use hazardous materials information
• use health or sanitation standards
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of materials testing procedures
• use knowledge of metric system
• use laboratory equipment
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use microscope
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use physical science research techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• verify investigative information
• work as a team member

Source: Occupational Information Network: Forensic Science Technicians.

Tools and Technology

Forensic Science Technicians  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Biological evidence collection kits - Blood collection kits, Body fluid collection kits, Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
• Camera lenses or filters - Colored camera filters, Ultraviolet UV camera lens filters
• Footprint lifters - Electrostatic dust print lifters, Gel lifters, Impression casting kits
• Laboratory scalpels - Pointed scalpels, Rounded scalpels
• Specimen collectors - Evidence collection containers, Glass specimen jars, Plastic specimen jars

Technology:

• Analytical or scientific software - DNA sequence analysis software, Laboratory information management system LIMS software
• Data base user interface and query software - Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS, Combined DNA Index System CODIS, DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene, Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS, Microsoft Access
• Electronic mail software - IBM Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software, DesignWare 3D EyeWitness, Eos Systems PhotoModeler, Graphics software, Image enhancement software
• Word processing software - Corel WordPerfect software, Microsoft Word

Source: Occupational Information Network: Forensic Science Technicians.

Education and Training

Occupation: Forensic Science Technicians
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Bachelor's degree
Related Instructional Programs: Forensic Science and Technology

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/altentry.asp?action=indgues

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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Web Resources

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• Crime and Intelligence Analysts, California Occupational Guide
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• Psychology and Counseling, WetFeet.com
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• Urban and Regional Planning Career Information, American Planning Association
• Urban Planners, California Occupational Guide