Forensic science is the application of scientific methods and processes in various legal and criminal-related settings. Forensic science is most commonly used in criminal investigations as well as in criminal convictions. The primary focus of forensic science is to uncover physical evidence through recognition, identification, testing and evaluation.
Forensic science relies on various forms of science—including chemistry, biology and physics—to analyze and interpret criminal-related data. The following are 10 common jobs you can pursue within the forensic science field:. Primary duties: These professionals study and evaluate fingerprints in criminal investigations.
They work in a crime lab as well as at active crime scenes. Fingerprint analysts process and preserve fingerprint samples, analyze fingerprints and load fingerprint images into fingerprint databases for comparison. Primary duties: Evidence technicians are responsible for collecting evidence at crime scenes, processing the evidence and transporting the evidence to storage locations. Requirements: Most evidence technician jobs require a degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Some positions may allow individuals to hold an entry-level evidence technician job with previous experience and on-the-job training. They may take photos and keep written records of crime scene evidence. These professionals most commonly work for crime labs, police departments and medical examiner offices.
Requirements: A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science is typically required for this position. Primary duties: Forensic specialists assess physical evidence from a crime scene using various methods of analysis, including chemical, instrumental and microscopic methods.
They may work with biological fluids, drugs, blood, gunshot residue and other materials found at a crime scene. They may serve as expert witnesses in court cases and conduct research related to new forensic equipment and technology. This includes crime scene and evidence technicians, fingerprint and DNA analysts and forensic scientists.
These professionals take evidence from crime scenes and try to extract information about the crime scene from those items. This area of forensics includes careers that examine and extract evidence from a victim's body. This includes the coroner, medical examiner, forensic pathologists and autopsy technicians. The evidence they collect from the body of the victim is sent to be tested by forensic scientists.
This area of forensics pertains to specialty careers wherein an individual can lend their expertise on a particular subject to another industry professional. This includes forensic artists who specialize in facial reconstruction and suspect sketching, digital forensics specialists and forensic anthropologists.
Their expertise can help solve unique crime details and even help solve a case. The following list names different types of forensic scientists, their job responsibilities and the national average salary for each:.
Primary duties: A fingerprint technician works in a crime lab, examining fingerprints that were collected from a crime scene and its evidence. They enter the fingerprints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System AFIS to see if they can find a match to fingerprints already entered into the database.
This profession requires an individual to have a proficiency in computer software and be detail-oriented. Primary duties: Evidence technicians work with crime scene investigators to identify potential evidence at the crime scene.
A large part of their job is organizing and labeling evidence before writing detailed reports about each item and the evidence that was available to collect from each. Primary duties: A crime scene technician is responsible for coordinating with the onsite investigative team to decide what items at the crime scene could be crucial evidence.
They are responsible for gathering evidence and taking crime scene photos. 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.
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. Forensic science technicians held about 15, jobs in The largest employers of forensic science technicians were as follows:.
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.
However, there is the potential to earn more. Many factors, such as geographic location, type of employer, and experience level, will dictate how much you can earn in a forensic science career. Fire Inspector. Detectives and Investigators. Forensic science technicians usually work during regular business hours in a lab whereas crime scene investigators tend to have an irregular schedule.
You might work staggered shifts in the day, evening, or night. If evidence has to be collected or analyzed, crime scene investigators may be required to work overtime. As technology advances, the use of forensic information is expected to increase. This is good news for anyone interested in pursuing a forensic science career.
While this is much faster than average, the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the occupation is small. Therefore, the growth will only result in about 2, new jobs in 10 years. Job Growth. One factor that could negatively impact job growth is budget restraints.
As federal, state, and local agencies and governments pull their purse strings tighter, fewer jobs for forensic science technicians may become available.
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