(Career Asssessments, Exploration & Counselling)
Career: Forensic Science Technicians
Job 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.
Job Tasks
Importance %age |
Task Description |
100
|
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. |
98
|
Testify in court about investigative and analytical methods and findings. |
94
|
Take photographs of evidence. |
90
|
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus. |
88
|
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation. |
85
|
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations. |
84
|
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. |
83
|
Use chemicals and other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases. |
82
|
Prepare solutions, reagents, and sample formulations needed for laboratory work. |
79
|
Train new technicians and other personnel on forensic science techniques. |
77
|
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence. |
72
|
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes. |
70
|
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints. |
66
|
Interpret laboratory findings and test results to identify and classify substances, materials, and other evidence collected at crime scenes. |
59
|
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred. |
30
|
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information such as serial numbers. |
29
|
Compare objects such as tools with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark. |
22
|
Identify and quantify drugs and poisons found in biological fluids and tissues, in foods, and at crime scenes. |
17
|
Examine physical evidence such as hair, fiber, wood or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition. |
14
|
Determine types of bullets used in shooting and if fired from a specific weapon. |
Work Activities
Importance %age |
Activity Description |
80
|
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
|
77
|
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
|
75
|
Getting Information
|
72
|
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
|
71
|
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
|
69
|
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
|
68
|
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
|
67
|
Documenting/Recording Information
|
64
|
Performing General Physical Activities
|
64
|
Handling and Moving Objects
|
64
|
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
|
64
|
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
|
62
|
Processing Information
|
61
|
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
|
57
|
Thinking Creatively
|
56
|
Interacting With Computers
|
54
|
Training and Teaching Others
|
54
|
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
|
53
|
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
|
51
|
Analyzing Data or Information
|
45
|
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
|
44
|
Coaching and Developing Others
|
44
|
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
|
44
|
Developing Objectives and Strategies
|
44
|
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
|
43
|
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
|
42
|
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
|
39
|
Assisting and Caring for Others
|
38
|
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
|
36
|
Scheduling Work and Activities
|
36
|
Controlling Machines and Processes
|
35
|
Developing and Building Teams
|
33
|
Performing Administrative Activities
|
32
|
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
|
27
|
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
|
26
|
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
|
26
|
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
|
23
|
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
|
19
|
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
|
17
|
Selling or Influencing Others
|
12
|
Staffing Organizational Units
|