How to Become a Forensic Science Technician

How to become a Forensic Science Technician

The Basics of Becoming a Forensic Science Technician

Are you investigating how to become a Forensic Science Technician and want to know more about the career? The main responsibility of a forensic tech is to analyze physical evidence in a criminal investigation. They do this by collecting evidence (such as hair, weapons and fibers) from a crime scene. They then perform tests and analyze patterns related to the evidence to determine its significance to a criminal investigation. As this evidence may end up being used in a court case, the crime scene tech must keep carful records about what they found, how they found it and what tests were performed on it. Some Forensic Technicians specialize in certain areas such as ballistics, fingerprints or biochemistry.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many Forensic Science Technicians have a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences such as biology or chemistry, and may also have earned a master’s degree in forensic science. Other FSTs are actually police officers who may have earned a degree in forensic science. It is not uncommon for rural agencies to hire applicants who have only a high school diploma but that do have experience to supplement.

A Forensic Science Technician's Salary Potential

  • Lowest 10th%
    $35,620
  • Median
    $59,150
  • Highest 90th%
    $97,350

 

States with the Highest Employment Levels

STATES2019 ANNUAL MEAN WAGENUMBER OF JOBS
California$87,2002,150
Florida$54,4901,680
Texas$60,0401,480
New York$68,000860
Arizona$61,820700
 
 

How Do Your Skills Stack Up?

day to day life of a Forensic Science Technician

As reported by O*NET, these types of tasks are conducted every day in this role. Would you feel comfortable performing these tasks as part of the day to day life of a Forensic Technician?

What Will You Learn with a BS in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science Degree?

A bachelor’s of science in criminal justice with a focus on forensic science may feature courses including:

  • Evidence
  • Arson Investigation
  • Criminalistics
  • Cyber Crimes
  • Forensic Biology

Criminal justice degrees with a concentration in forensic science are typically designed to help prepare students to aid investigators in solving crimes, understand the causes and theories of crime, and conduct crime scene investigations. In addition to general education courses, the types of topics students may cover include: processing a crime scene and analyzing evidence; understanding computer crimes and investigations; using techniques like criminal profiling and psychological autopsies; and defining the roles of a forensic psychologist and their relationship to law enforcement.

FAQs About How to Become a Forensic Science Technician

What other types of training may be involved in becoming an FST?

It is important for forensic technicians to keep up with advances in technology and in the industry that change or improve the way evidence is gathered and analyzed, however, there is not necessarily a single certification that will aid in professional development as standards are so different from one jurisdiction to another. When first starting as a CSI, it is likely much of the training will be on the job with a more experienced forensic technician.

What skills do Forensic Technicians Possess?

Forensic Science Technicians are usually proficient in areas such as critical thinking to review related information and develop and evaluate options, decision making, being aware of others' actions and reactions and understanding why they acted the way they did as well as persuasion and negotiation.

What is the average Forensic Science Technician salary?

According to the BLS, the 2019 median annual salary for Forensic Science Technicians was $59,150.

What job titles are similar to or the same as a Forensic Science Technician?

If you are looking to become a Forensic Science Technician and are searching job boards, you may want to include these types of job titles: Crime Laboratory Analyst, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Evidence Technician, Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Forensic Specialist, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Latent Print Examiner.

What are common types of software I would have to learn as a Forensic Science Technicians?

Forensic Techs use a variety of database user interface and query; analytical and scientific; and graphic and photo imaging software, including Combined DNA Index System, DNA Sequence Analysis software, and DesignWare 3D EyeWitness.

What other types of tools are utilized by Forensic Technicians?

While the software tools may be limited in variety, other types of tools used by Forensic Techs are numerous and would include items such as a digital camera, goggles, fingerprint kits, centrifuges, infrared lamps, lasers, metal detectors, narcotics test kits, UV lamps and more.

Job information sourced from O*NET

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