A Forensic Science Technician is generally a well-respected, decent-paying career that is steadily growing with its popular interest. Most positions in this field only require a bachelor's degree, but some qualities such as professionalism, problem-solving skills, speaking/writing skills, and attention to detail can be very helpful.
People working in this field can perform numerous tasks; the most common are crime scene investigation and laboratory analysis. The main purpose of this field is to collect and analyze physical evidence. Generally, technicians work full-time during typical business hours, but each job varies and can they can work long, stressful hours to meet deadlines. An estimated 9 out of 10 people working in this field work with state or local government businesses such as police departments, crime labs, morgues, and coroners' offices.
On crime scene investigations, forensic technicians will take photographs, sketches, and notes of all possible evidence, such as fingerprints, weapons, fluids, and documents. The evidence collected at a crime scene investigation is then processed at a laboratory by a technician who identifies and classifies the evidence, reviews the chemical and physical results, and consults with other experts before providing a detailed report. These reports can determine or quite possibly confirm the conviction of a criminal or the cause of death. Technicians may also reconstruct crime scenes based on their findings within the laboratories for further review.
The industry is expected to grow 20% until at least 2020 due to the popularity and demand for Forensic Science Technicians.