DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
19-4092 Forensic Science Technicians
Occupational Description:
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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 90 | 3 | $30.48/hr | $1.01/hr | $20.24/hr | $24.09/hr | $29.18/hr | $36.60/hr | $43.52/hr |
| U S | 16,520 | 215 | $30.68/hr | $0.28/hr | $17.31/hr | $21.94/hr | $28.73/hr | $37.50/hr | $47.28/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2020 - 2030 | |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 1,020 | $21.98/hr | 0.4% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | 450 | $44.38/hr | 6.0% |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 120 | $36.34/hr | N/A |
| Compliance Officers, Except Agriculture, Construction, Health and Safety, and Transportation | N/A | $36.41/hr | 4.5% |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | N/A | $30.42/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Forensic Science Technicians
- Examines, tests, and analyzes tissue samples, chemical substances, physical materials, and ballistics evidence, using recording, measuring, and testing equipment.
- Testifies as expert witness on evidence or laboratory techniques in trials or hearings.
- Prepares reports or presentations of findings, investigative methods, or laboratory techniques.
- Reconstructs crime scene to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
- Interprets laboratory findings and test results to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scene.
- Confers with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
- Collects and preserves criminal evidence used to solve cases.
