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.

Other names for Forensic Science Technicians: Ballistic Expert, Ballistic Technician, Ballistician, Crime Lab Technician, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Crime Scene Analyst, Crime Scene Examiner, Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Technician, Crime Specialist, Criminalist, Criminologist, Detective, Detective-Crime Scene Investigations, Dna Analyst, Evidence Technician, Fingerprint Classifier, Fingerprint Expert, Forensic Analyst, Forensic Ballistics Expert, Forensic Chemist, Forensic Investigator, Forensic Scientist, Handwriting Expert, Keeler Polygraph Operator, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Lie Detector Operator, Polygraph Examiner, Polygraph Operator,

• Testify in court about investigative and analytical methods and findings.
• Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
• Interpret laboratory findings and test results to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scenes.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
• Analyze and classify biological fluids using DNA typing or serological techniques.
• Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
• Identify and quantify drugs and poisons found in biological fluids and tissues, in foods, and at crime scenes.
• Analyze handwritten and machine-produced textual evidence to decipher altered or obliterated text or to determine authorship, age, or source.
• Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
• Examine DNA samples to determine if they match other samples.
• Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
• Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
• Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
• Examine physical evidence such as hair, fiber, wood or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
• Determine types of bullets used in shooting and if fired from a specific weapon.
• Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information such as serial numbers.
• Interpret the pharmacological effects of a drug or a combination of drugs on an individual.
• Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
• Compare objects such as tools with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

• Magnifiers
• Benchtop centrifuges
• Notebook computers
• Still cameras
• Lasers
• Ultraviolet UV lamps
• Floor grade forceps or hemostats
• Metal detectors
• Microscope slides
• Notebook computers
• Direction finding compasses
• Binocular light compound microscopes
• Personal computers
• Identification markers
• Rulers
• Laboratory tools
• Specimen collectors
• Laboratory scalpels
• Minivans or vans
• Gas generators
• Lasers
• Two way radios
• Postmortem fingerprint or impression materials
• Surgical gloves
• Medical staff isolation or surgical masks
• Protractors
• Power saws
• Laboratory scalpels
• Safety glasses
• Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories
• Sexual assault determination kits
• Shovels
• Laboratory sifting equipment
• Spades
• Spectrophotometers
• Laboratory scissors
• Laboratory spatulas
• Laboratory tools
• Steam autoclaves or sterilizers
• Tape measures
• Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers
• Camera lenses or filters
• Ultraviolet UV lamps
• Utility knives
• Goggles
• Still cameras
• Laboratory mixers
• Hazardous material protective apparel
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Alcohol analysers
• Camera lenses or filters
• Flags or accessories
• Tape measures
• Forensic chemical workstations
• Biological evidence collection kits
• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Digital camcorders or video cameras
• Measuring wheels for distance
• Narcotic test kits
• Distance meters
• Laboratory balances
• Footprint lifters
• Specimen collectors
• Laboratory scissors
• Fingerprint applicators or brushes
• Fingerprint latent print kits
• Biometric identification equipment
• Footwear covers
• Laboratory hotplates
• Footprint lifters
• Specimen collectors
• Laboratory washing machines
• Nitrogen or nitrate or nitrite analyzer
• Magnifiers
• Handheld thermometer
• Footprint lifters
• Infrared lamps
• Laboratory insect containers
• Fabric or netting for entomology

Project management software

Graphics or photo imaging software

Word processing software

Charting software

Spreadsheet software

Data base user interface and query software

Analytical or scientific software

Internet browser software

Electronic mail software