Forensic Science Technicians

Does not pass

• Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 12.4% of the role's time · $173M

• Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.

  physical work, outside the screen · 10.4% of the role's time · $144M

• Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.

  physical work, outside the screen · 9.3% of the role's time · $130M

• Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.

  physical work, outside the screen · 7.2% of the role's time · $100M

• Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.

  physical work, outside the screen · 6.9% of the role's time · $96.2M

• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.

  physical work, outside the screen · 6.6% of the role's time · $92.2M

• Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.

  physical work, outside the screen · 5.3% of the role's time · $74.1M

• Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.3% of the role's time · $73.4M

• Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 4.0% of the role's time · $55.6M

• Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.

  physical work, outside the screen · 3.9% of the role's time · $54.1M

• Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.

  reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 3.7% of the role's time · $51.4M

• Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.8% of the role's time · $39.0M

• Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.3% of the role's time · $32.2M

• Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 2.2% of the role's time · $31.3M

• Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.1% of the role's time · $29.8M

• Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.1% of the role's time · $28.6M

• Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.0% of the role's time · $28.0M

• Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.0% of the role's time · $27.3M

• Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.9% of the role's time · $26.6M

• Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.8% of the role's time · $25.2M

• Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.7% of the role's time · $24.2M

• Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.4% of the role's time · $19.5M

• Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.4% of the role's time · $19.3M

• Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.2% of the role's time · $17.4M