Forensic Science Technician : Training, Salary, & Career Information
Career Information
Forensic Science Technician: Career, Salary and Education Information
Forensic science involves using methods and tests in the natural sciences and mathematics to investigate crimes and crime scenes. Forensic science technicians, also known as criminalists, coordinate these methods and tests to analyze and interpret evidence. Examples of evidence include weapons, articles of clothing, fingerprints, hair, or other items that could potentially link crime and criminal. In some cases, DNA can be collected from a victim, or at a crime scene, and used as evidence.
Forensic science technicians are part of a larger group of science technicians, including biological technicians, chemical technicians, and environmental science technicians. Job duties for science technicians can overlap: setting up and maintaining laboratory instruments; monitoring experiments; observing, calculating, and observing results are all common tasks for science technicians.
Forensic science jobs differ in the flow of projects. For other science technicians, projects tend to be long-term, and results arrive slowly. Forensic scientists face new projects regularly, try to resolve cases quickly and move on to the next one. Despite the rapid pace at which they work, forensic scientists still need to be meticulous. Forensic science careers involve quick-thinking precision: natural puzzle solvers tend to excel in the field.
A Day in the Life of a Forensic Science Technician
It is the forensic science technician's job to provide as much evidence as possible to detectives. Forensic scientists spend their work hours at crime scenes, collecting evidence, and in laboratories, evaluating evidence. In addition to working with law enforcement officers, forensic scientists work with other criminology experts and medical professionals.
As a forensic science technician, you might perform DNA analysis on a strand of hair, examine shell casings to determine the make and model of a gun, or identify an illegal drug left at a crime scene. In addition to traditional laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, forensic scientists use modern forensic analysis equipment, such as automatic biochemistry analyzers and automated DNA analyzers. Forensic science technicians may specialize in DNA and serology; ballistics, firearms and toolmarks; drugs, alcohol and toxicology; or trace evidence.
Forensic Science Schools and Training: From Theory to Practice
Forensic science degrees can be earned at the bachelor's or master's level. A bachelor of forensic science degree is the entry-level qualification. Supervisory positions and long-term, upward mobility may require graduate education. Forensic science schools blend biological, chemical, criminal, natural and other science instruction with hands-on laboratory time and field work.
Many forensic scientists choose to become certified by a professional organization, such as the American Board of Criminalistics, the American Board of Forensic Entomology, or the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners. Certification requirements vary by organization and may include passing exams, earning a master's degree, publishing in peer-reviewed forensic journals, and presenting at conferences.
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Forensic Science Jobs and Employment Outlook
The recession has increased crime--and the demand for forensic scientists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a robust, 20-percent job growth rate is anticipated from 2008 to 2018. Improved understanding of the benefits of DNA and other scientific analyses in solving crimes should continue to heighten demand. Most forensic scientists work for local, state, and federal governments, or medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Forensic Science Technician Salary Information
The BLS reports that the median forensic science technician salary was $51,480 in 2009. Median entry-level positions ranged from $32,420 to $40,340. The median salary for the top 10-percent of forensic scientists was $84,260. Forensic science jobs for the federal government earned the largest mean salary, $92,100. States with the highest concentration of forensic scientists were Arizona, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
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