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Forensic Science Technicians
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.
Table of Contents
Job description
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.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Salary
Forensic Science Technicians with little to no experience tend to make between $34600 and $44340 while the more experienced ones can earn over $76440 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| IL | $42 | $87,660 |
| CA | $41 | $85,280 |
| MA | $38 | $79,440 |
| CT | $36 | $73,970 |
| NH | $34 | $70,960 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Forensic Science Technician is to move to a higher paying state like IL. Right now, the highest paying states for Forensic Science Technicians are IL, CA, MA, CT and NH.
However, a higher pay at IL doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at IL might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Forensic Science Technician is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Forensic Science Technicians what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a College Certificate.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Forensic Chemistry |
| Forensic Science and Technology |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Forensic Science Technician.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally |
| Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there) |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to start and carry out projects |
| It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career. |
| Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week) |
What is the job like
73% of Forensic Science Technicians said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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Related career information
Forensic Science Technicians job description, Forensic Science Technicians salary, Forensic Science Technicians information, what is the job of a Forensic Science Technician like, pros and cons about Forensic Science Technicians, colleges and universities for Forensic Science Technicians, is Forensic Science Technicians the right career for me, careers in Social Science and Humanities
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Ballistic Expert, Ballistic Technician, Ballistician, Ballistics Expert, Computer Forensics Technician, Crime Lab Technician, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Examiner, Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)
