Occupation · SOC 19-4092
Forensic Science Technicians
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.
Median wage
$67,440
$45,560–$110,710
Projected growth
+12.6%
Faster than average
Annual openings
260
per year
Employed (US)
19,450
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,574 mapped
Core skills
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessScienceMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisService OrientationLearning StrategiesPersuasionOperations MonitoringMathematicsInstructingOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationTroubleshootingEquipment SelectionOperations AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceRepairingProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallation
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementChemistryAdministrativeBiologyTelecommunicationsPhysicsMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyMedicine and DentistryPsychologyCommunications and MediaProduction and ProcessingGeographyTransportationSociology and AnthropologyMechanicalPersonnel and Human ResourcesTherapy and CounselingDesignHistory and ArcheologyBuilding and ConstructionPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe PhotoshopAutomated Biometric Identification System ABISCombined DNA Index System CODISComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDM2 Bills of LadingDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeSceneDesignWare 3D EyeWitnessEos Systems PhotoModelerGraphics softwareIBM NotesImage enhancement softwareIntegrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFISLaboratory information management system LIMSLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordMideo Systems EZDoc PlusMidwest Information Systems PAX-itNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) databaseNational Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBINSmartDraw LegalThe CAD Zone The Crime ZoneTrancite Logic Systems ScenePDVisual Statement Vista FX3 CSIWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAnalyzing Data or InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Physical evidence collection procedures — follow under direct supervision when securing and packaging items at an assigned crime scene.Evidence storage protocols — apply established chain-of-custody rules to label and store collected materials in a controlled laboratory environment.Photographic documentation equipment — operate basic camera and video tools to capture crime scene images under the guidance of a senior technician.Crime scene measurements and sketches — produce hand-drawn diagrams of scene dimensions following standard departmental templates and checklists.Latent fingerprint chemicals — apply designated reagents to surfaces under supervision to develop prints for initial comparison review.Laboratory case records — draft basic notes and preliminary reports documenting observed findings using office suite software and approved formats.Fingerprint database interfaces — perform entry-level queries in AFIS or equivalent systems to retrieve known prints for comparison tasks.Scene visit preparation — accompany senior technicians to morgues or outdoor crime scenes, assisting with equipment transport and evidence logging.Legal terminology and courtroom conduct — recognize basic expectations for forensic testimony and courtroom decorum through orientation training.Analytical software tools — enter raw data into assigned forensic or scientific software programs under direction to support laboratory analysis.
developing
Crime scene evidence collection — independently collect, package, and log physical evidence at moderately complex scenes while maintaining chain-of-custody integrity.Investigative reports and case files — prepare clear, detailed written reports summarizing methods, findings, and laboratory techniques for routine case submissions.Photographic and video documentation — select appropriate equipment settings and angles to fully document evidence and scene conditions without direct supervision.Latent fingerprint development and comparison — apply multiple chemical and physical methods to develop latent prints and compare results against database records with limited oversight.Crime scene diagramming — use CAD or mapping software to produce accurate, scaled sketches that reflect measured scene dimensions and evidence placement.Morgue and field visits — conduct independent visits to morgues or secondary crime scenes to gather supplemental evidence and coordinate with responding personnel.Courtroom testimony preparation — organize case notes and analytical findings to deliver accurate, concise testimony in straightforward legal proceedings.Spreadsheet and database tools — maintain evidence tracking spreadsheets and query case databases to support ongoing investigations in a laboratory setting.Analytical problem-solving — apply inductive reasoning to identify inconsistencies in physical evidence patterns and escalate anomalies to a supervising scientist.Interagency communication — coordinate evidence handoffs and information requests with law enforcement and medical examiner offices using professional written and verbal communication.
proficient
Complex evidence collection — plan and execute full evidence recovery at multi-location or large-scale crime scenes, adapting collection strategies to challenging environmental conditions.Comprehensive case documentation — author technically precise investigative and laboratory reports that meet legal standards for admissibility across a varied caseload.Advanced scene photography — design and execute photographic documentation plans, including alternate light source and macro imaging, to capture nuanced physical evidence.Fingerprint evidence analysis — independently process ambiguous or degraded latent prints using advanced chemical techniques and render expert comparison conclusions for case submission.Expert witness testimony — deliver authoritative, well-organized courtroom testimony on complex analytical methods and findings across diverse legal proceedings without supervisory guidance.Scene reconstruction and spatial analysis — integrate measurements, photography, and CAD-based diagrams to reconstruct event sequences and present spatial findings to investigative teams.Multi-source evidence correlation — synthesize biological, chemical, and physical evidence gathered from crime scenes, morgues, and laboratory analysis to support investigative conclusions.Forensic software proficiency — leverage analytical, process-mapping, and database software to manage case data, identify patterns, and generate visualizations for court or agency reports.Quality assurance review — evaluate own work and peer case files against accreditation standards, identifying procedural gaps and recommending corrective actions in a laboratory setting.Critical incident decision-making — apply sound judgment under field or laboratory stress conditions to prioritize evidence handling when resources or time are constrained.
advanced
Forensic science program leadership — direct unit-wide evidence collection, laboratory operations, and reporting standards to ensure consistent quality across all active cases in the agency.Technician training and mentorship — design and deliver structured onboarding curricula and ongoing skill-development sessions that transfer forensic science techniques to new and junior staff.Organizational policy development — author and update agency-wide protocols for evidence handling, chain-of-custody documentation, and laboratory safety aligned with accreditation requirements.Expert testimony strategy — coach forensic staff on effective courtroom communication and serve as the agency's primary expert witness in high-profile or legally complex proceedings.Cross-agency collaboration — represent the forensic unit in multi-jurisdictional task forces, establishing shared evidence protocols and coordinating resources with law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.Technology evaluation and adoption — assess emerging analytical software, instrumentation, and imaging systems, leading pilot programs and recommending investments that advance laboratory capability.Performance monitoring and systems evaluation — analyze unit-level case metrics, turnaround times, and error rates to identify systemic inefficiencies and implement process improvements.Budget and resource oversight — manage laboratory supply procurement, equipment maintenance schedules, and staffing allocations to sustain operational readiness within fiscal constraints.Accreditation and compliance leadership — guide the laboratory through ASCLD or equivalent accreditation cycles, ensuring all documentation, training records, and quality controls meet auditor standards.Strategic knowledge management — develop learning strategies and institutional knowledge repositories that preserve forensic best practices and accelerate competency development across the technician workforce.
Also known as
50 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
BallisticianBallistics Technician (Ballistics Tech)Biometric Fingerprint Technician (Biometric Fingerprint Tech)Biometric Fingerprinting Technician (Biometric Fingerprinting Tech)BiometricianBlood Splatter AnalystComputer Forensics Technician (Computer Forensics Tech)Crime AnalystCrime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)Crime Lab Technician (Crime Laboratory Technician)Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)Crime Scene ExaminerCrime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)Crime SpecialistCriminal Justice TechnicianCriminalistCriminalist Technician (Criminalist Tech)CriminologistCSI (Crime Scene Investigator)Digital Forensics AnalystDNA Analyst (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Analyst)DNA Examiner (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Examiner)DNA Tech (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Technician)Evidence SpecialistEvidence Technician (Evidence Tech)Fingerprint ClassifierFingerprint Technician (Fingerprint Tech)Firearms ExaminerFirearms SpecialistForensic AnalystForensic Computer ExaminerForensic Document Examiner (FDE)Forensic ExaminerForensic InvestigatorForensic Lab Tech (Forensic Laboratory Technician)Forensic Nurse ExaminerForensic Science ExaminerForensic Science Technician (Forensic Science Tech)Forensic Scientist