| Forensic science technicians investigate crimes by | | | | practical hands-on application in a laboratory setting |
| collecting and then analyzing physical evidence found | | | | with up-to-date equipment. Science technicians must |
| at the crime scene. They often specialize in areas | | | | have strong communications skills and should be able |
| such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, | | | | to work well with others. Excellent organizational |
| performing tests on weapons or on substances such | | | | ability, an eye for detail, and skill in interpreting |
| as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids to | | | | scientific results are also important. Technicians usually |
| determine their significance to the investigation. | | | | begin work as trainees in routine positions, under the |
| Proper collection and storage methods of evidence | | | | direct supervision of a scientist or an experienced |
| are important to protect their validity. They also | | | | technician. As they gain experience, they take on |
| prepare reports to document their findings and the | | | | more responsibility and carry out assignments only |
| laboratory techniques used, and also provide valuable | | | | under general supervision, and some eventually |
| information and expert opinions to investigators. | | | | become supervisors. |
| When criminal cases come for trial, forensic science | | | | On a typical day, a forensic science technician might |
| technicians often testify, as expert witnesses, on | | | | perform some of the following duties - examine, test |
| specific laboratory findings by identifying and | | | | and analyze tissue samples, chemical substances, |
| classifying substances, materials, and other evidence | | | | physical materials, and ballistics evidence, using |
| collected at the scene of a crime. Some forensic | | | | recording, measuring, and testing equipment; |
| science technicians often work closely with other | | | | interpreting laboratory findings and test results to |
| experts or technicians. A forensic science technician | | | | identify and classify substances, materials, and other |
| may consult a medical expert about the exact time | | | | evidence collected from the crime scene; collect and |
| and cause of a death or a technician who specializes | | | | preserve criminal evidence used to solve cases; |
| in DNA typing in hopes of matching a DNA type to a | | | | confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, |
| suspect. | | | | documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or |
| Most employers prefer applicants who have at least | | | | metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its |
| two years of specialized training or associate degrees | | | | interpretation; reconstruct the crime scene to |
| in applied science or science-related technology. | | | | determine relationships among pieces of evidence; |
| Others prefer applicants with bachelor's degrees in | | | | prepare reports or presentations of findings, |
| chemistry, biology, or forensic science. Career | | | | investigative methods, or laboratory techniques and |
| preparation in forensic science is also available through | | | | even testify as expert witness on evidence or |
| two year formal training programs that combine the | | | | laboratory techniques in trials or hearings. |
| teaching of scientific principles and theory with | | | | |