Modern T.V. crime shows have popularized the idea of a crime-solving scientist. The people who appear on these shows tend to be detectives and policemen. In the real world, it is the job of a forensic technician to collect and analyze the evidence at the scene of a crime. A forensic technician cannot be squeamish, as he will be handling bodies, tissues and bodily fluids. He will be constantly working in a laboratory setting, and his job involves a heavy amount of math and science.
If you are interested in becoming a laboratory technician, and enjoy working with forensic technology, then you may want to consider forensic science careers. Here is the medical career training required to become a forensic technician.
- What you will do. Forensic technicians are responsible for collecting evidence at crime scenes. The evidence must then be correctly catalogued and properly stored to maintain the chain of custody and the integrity of the evidence. Once this is done, the evidence is then analyzed. This may include DNA, blood, bodily fluids, hair samples, gun residue, fiber analysis, photographs and a number of other samples. The working hours may be erratic when collecting evidence in smaller departments; larger departments that can employ larger staffs may allow for more set hours. The majority of work will be done in the laboratory setting; although, some fieldwork is necessary. Maintaining and operating laboratory equipment, meticulous record keeping, preparation of agents and reagents are all done on a daily basis. Crime scene reconstruction may also be done on occasion. They also have to consult with other experts in various fields, such as in ballistics, electronics, chemistry or even metallurgy in order to properly interpret evidence. Some technicians may also be called to court to present findings.
- What you should know. In high school be sure to take numerous math and science courses and maintain a good grade point average. The majority of forensic technicians have a college education. An associate’s degree in science with a strong background in any of the sciences that include a lab can be one way into an entry-level position for this profession. The preferred route is a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and it will take about four years of college to obtain. This is a specialized degree and not widely available, but is well worth the effort to achieve if this is your passion. A bachelor’s degree in natural science with an emphasis in forensics or law is also acceptable. If the college you are enrolled in does not offer either of these options, a bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry is a great option. While getting your education in a forensics lab is preferable, it is also acceptable to get your education in a general chemistry or biology lab. You will become familiar with laboratory procedures either way. If you are not doing a formalized forensics program, physics electives may be beneficial to add to your coursework.
- What you will make. The median salary for forensic technicians is $49,860 with a range of $37,670 to $76,460. The range is due to education, location, and size of the department.
- What the future looks like. The job growth is expected to be around 20% for the next 15 years. This is due in part to the increasing technology that is being utilized in the lab for analyzing the physical evidence.
If becoming a forensic technician sounds interesting, this information will help you decide if it is the right career path for you. This is a fascinating job that is like putting the pieces of a puzzle together to help solve crimes. Forensic technicians love attention to detail and enjoy working with computers and laboratory equipment. If this sounds like your kind of career, there is no time like the present to start putting your goals into action.