# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 19-4092.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)
- Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)
- Criminalist
- Forensic Scientist
- Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)
- Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)
- Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)
- Forensic Science Examiner
- Forensic Specialist
- Latent Print Examiner
- Ballistician
- Ballistics Technician (Ballistics Tech)

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.e |
| Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. | Core | 4.A.4.a.3.a |
| Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.c |
| Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques. | Core | 4.A.4.b.3.d |
| Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.i |
| Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints. | Core | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence. | Supplemental | 4.A.1.a.1.c |

## Emerging Tasks

| Text |
| --- |
| Enter data into databases. |
| Operate drones to capture aerial footage or photographs of crime scenes for further analysis. |

## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Testify at legal or legislative proceedings. | 4.A.4.a.3.a |
| Interpret research or operational data. | 4.A.2.a.4.g |
| Operate laboratory or field equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.i |
| Maintain laboratory or technical equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.c |
| Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing. | 4.A.3.a.2.au |
| Analyze forensic evidence to solve crimes. | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems. | 4.A.1.b.2.c |
| Analyze biological samples. | 4.A.2.a.4.j |
| Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence. | 4.A.1.a.1.c |
| Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables. | 4.A.2.a.4.d |
| Collaborate on research activities with scientists or technical specialists. | 4.A.4.a.2.b |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | 4.A.3.b.6.c |
| Record research or operational data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures. | 4.A.4.b.3.d |
| Document events or evidence, using photographic or audiovisual equipment. | 4.A.3.b.6.e |
| Verify information or specifications. | 4.A.2.a.2.a |
| Verify accuracy of data. | 4.A.2.a.2.a |
| Collect evidence for legal proceedings. | 4.A.1.a.1.c |
| Measure distances or dimensions. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Analyze crime scene evidence. | 4.A.2.a.4.j |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Law and Government | knowledge | 4.47 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 4.17 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 4 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 4 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 4 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 4 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 4 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Written Expression | ability | 4 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 4 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 4 |
| Near Vision | ability | 4 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.88 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.75 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.75 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.75 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.75 |
| Education and Training | knowledge | 3.73 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3.62 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.38 |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 3.31 |
| Science | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Fluency of Ideas | ability | 3.25 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.25 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.18 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 3.12 |
| Speed of Closure | ability | 3.12 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.1 |
| Biology | knowledge | 3.01 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Visio | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Access | Specialized Skill |
| Linux | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Adobe Photoshop | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| IBM Notes | Specialized Skill |
| Graphics Software | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | yes |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | yes | no |
| Linux | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Visio | Process mapping and design software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise | Analytical or scientific software | no | yes |
| Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Combined DNA Index System CODIS | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Computer aided design and drafting CADD software | Computer aided design CAD software | no | no |
| Corel WordPerfect Office Suite | Office suite software | no | no |
| DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| DesignWare 3D EyeWitness | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| DM2 Bills of Lading | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Eos Systems PhotoModeler | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Graphics software | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| IBM Notes | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Image enhancement software | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Laboratory information management system LIMS | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Midwest Information Systems PAX-it | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| SmartDraw Legal | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| The CAD Zone The Crime Zone | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI | Graphics or photo imaging software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| E-Mail | 4.8 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.79 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.72 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.7 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.67 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.51 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 4.33 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.21 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.21 |
| Contact With Others | 4.2 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.11 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.95 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.95 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.94 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 3.93 |
| Time Pressure | 3.92 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 3.9 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.89 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.81 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.78 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 3.69 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.64 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.63 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.63 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.48 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.45 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.44 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.44 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.4 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.28 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.25 |
| Public Speaking | 3.2 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.17 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.14 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 3.12 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 3.1 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.02 |
| Level of Competition | 2.85 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 2.67 |
| Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People | 2.62 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **Experience:** Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 36.29 |
| High School Diploma | 29.31 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 15.3 |
| Master's Degree | 2.05 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dependability | work_style | 7 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 6 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 5.94 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.18 |
| Integrity | work_style | 5 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.98 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 4.98 |
| Life Science | specific_interest_area | 4.39 |
| Protective Service | specific_interest_area | 4.14 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 4 |
| Law | specific_interest_area | 3.38 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 3.3 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 3.17 |
| Intellectual Curiosity | work_style | 3 |
| Public Speaking | specific_interest_area | 2.68 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.55 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 33-3021.02 | role-33-3021-02 | Police Identification and Records Officers | Primary-Short |
| 15-1299.06 | role-15-1299-06 | Digital Forensics Analysts | Primary-Short |
| 33-3021.00 | role-33-3021-00 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | Primary-Short |
| 13-1041.06 | role-13-1041-06 | Coroners | Primary-Short |
| 29-2012.00 | role-29-2012-00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-2011.00 | role-29-2011-00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 33-9021.00 | role-33-9021-00 | Private Detectives and Investigators | Primary-Long |
| 33-3021.06 | role-33-3021-06 | Intelligence Analysts | Primary-Long |
| 29-2012.01 | role-29-2012-01 | Histology Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 13-2099.04 | role-13-2099-04 | Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | Primary-Long |
| 19-4042.00 | role-19-4042-00 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | Supplemental |
| 19-1022.00 | role-19-1022-00 | Microbiologists | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Public Service & Safety | public-service-safety |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Bachelor's degree

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | biological-and-biomedical-sciences |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services | homeland-security-law-enforcement-firefighting-and-related-protective-services |
| Physical Sciences | physical-sciences |
| Social Sciences | social-sciences |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 67440
- **Mean Wage:** 75260
- **Pct10Wage:** 45560
- **Pct25Wage:** 53310
- **Pct75Wage:** 88710
- **Pct90Wage:** 110710
- **Employment:** 19450
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 1260 | 67440 | 0.93 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 460 | 57950 | 3.15 |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 450 | 62860 | 20.93 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 380 | 49980 | 0.22 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 340 | 51080 | 0.12 |
| 52 | 52 | Finance and Insurance | Sector | 80 |  |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 541380 | 541380 | Testing Laboratories and Services | National industry | 450 | 20.93 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 460 | 3.15 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 1260 | 0.93 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 380 | 0.22 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 340 | 0.12 |
- **Count:** 6

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.0095 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | 0.2400518 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | 0.9275115 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | 0.0103722 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 58
- **Percentile:** 57
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 55 | felten_aioe |
| 56 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 63 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | 0.2400518 | 55 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.7096774193548387 | 56 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.18119974935555616 | 63 | Moderate | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.0095
- **Percentile:** 6
- **Band:** Low
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.06451612903225806
- **Beta:** 0.3870967741935484
- **Gamma:** 0.7096774193548387

### Usage Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Importance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes. | 0.002875818067532425 | 3.67 |
| Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. | 0.0017460323981446867 | 4.75 |
- **Usage Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 12.8
- **Growth Percentile:** 96
- **Direction:** Growing fast
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 2.9
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 37
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 20.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 23.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 24
- **Skills:** 42
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 32
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** ff67fd71564c840d