Crime Lab Technician: Salary and Career Facts
Research what it takes to become a crime laboratory technician. Learn about education programs in forensic science, job duties and career prospects to find out if this is the career for you.
What Is A Crime Lab Technician?
Crime lab technicians may perform tasks at a crime scene, and may also run tests in a lab on evidence collected from crime scenes. At a crime scene the crime lab technician may gather samples of hair, fibers, blood, tissue or other relevant evidence. They may also photograph the scene and document their findings. In the lab, technicians may perform tests on the evidence recovered at the crime scene, and may use this evidence to perform DNA tests or to identify fingerprints that were found at the scene. The evidence recovered from the scene and the results of the tests run in the lab may help determine factors related to the crime, such as cause of death, or help identify suspects.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's preferred</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Training Required</b> </td><td> On the job</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Forensic science</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Performing tests (e.g., on blood, soil), matching bullets to the gun that fired them, matching fingerprints, administering lie-detector tests</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 16% for all forensic science technicians*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Average Salary (May 2020)</b> </td><td> $64,890 for all forensic science technicians*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoINeedToPrepareForACareerAsACrimeLabTechnician">What Education Do I Need to Prepare for a Career as a Crime Lab Technician?</h3><p>Community and technical colleges can provide training programs that award 2-year associate's degrees in forensic science. While you can certainly take the first half of your training at such institutions, you would be well-advised to transfer to a bachelor's degree program at a university later. If you decide to enter a 4-year bachelor's degree program, you might major in an area such as forensic science, physical anthropology, chemistry or biology.
</p><p>You will need to take classes in pharmacology, physics, trigonometry and computer science. Once you have obtained your bachelor's degree, you can decide whether or not you might like to specialize in a subfield of forensic science. Subfields include forensic anthropology, toxicology, chemistry and entomology. These specialties will require an advanced credential, such as a master's degree in forensic science, forensic toxicology or drug chemistry. You can obtain advanced degrees through several universities and colleges.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatJobDutiesWillIHave">What Job Duties Will I Have?</h3><p>Depending on your area of specialization, your job as a crime lab technician may involve performing analytical tests on blood, glass fragments or soil. Another aspect of your job may involve matching ammunition to the weapon from which it was discharged. Fingerprint matching and administering polygraph examinations may also be a part of your job description.
</p><h3 id="section---WhereDoProfessionalsWork">Where Do Professionals Work?</h3><p>Forensic science technicians typically work in crime laboratories, either at the state, city or county levels. Hospitals and universities also employ these professionals. Additionally, you can expect to find crime laboratory technicians in medical examiner's offices, coroner's offices or in federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSalaryCouldIExpectToEarn">What Salary Could I Expect to Earn?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for forensic science technicians working at the state level was $64,770 as of May 2020 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Forensics professionals at the local level earned $65,840, and federal workers earned as much as $120,790. Wages were variable, depending on whether or not the jobs were located in large metropolitan areas and the length of job experience.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Law enforcement careers are closely related to the work that a crime lab technician does. Police, detectives and federal agents may all be involved in analyzing a crime scene, retrieving evidence, and analyzing the results of tests performed in a lab. The educational requirements for these professions vary; it may be possible to become a police officer by attending police academy training, while federal agents may need a degree. Fire inspectors also perform some tasks that are similar. They may inspect buildings to ensure that they meet all fire safety code regulations. They may also investigate after a fire to determine the cause, and in the event that arson was involved they may be involved in gathering evidence that will be relevant to the investigation. Most fire investigators have prior experience as a firefighter.</p>