Crime Lab Analyst Working Conditions
Crime lab analysts are forensic science technicians who investigate crime by collecting and analyzing physical evidence. This could involve DNA analysis, firearm examination and laboratory testing of fibers, fluids, hair and tissue. They typically work in laboratories, indoors and during normal business hours---though some irregular work hours may be required from time to time.
Other People Are Reading
-
Environment
-
Crime lab analysts normally do their work indoors, in laboratories. Sometimes, however, they may be required to go on the field to collect samples as proper collection and storage methods are important for protecting evidence. Their working laboratory will have computers, electronic measuring equipment and traditional experimental apparatus for analyzing evidence.
Hours
-
For the most part, crime lab analysts work a normal eight-hour shift during normal business hours (9am to 5pm). Sometimes, if evidence requires it, crime lab analysts may be required to work irregular hours to monitor experiments. They may also be called in to the scene of a crime to collect evidence, which may occur at any time of the day or night.
-
Risks
-
Crime lab analysts may be exposed to equipment, chemical and toxic hazards while running experiments on the collected evidence. As such, they may be required to wear protective equipment while on the job. Along with lab hazards, crime lab analysts may be exposed to disease-causing organisms, human fluids and firearms. As with other hazards, there are safety precautions in the lab to ensure there is little risk to crime lab analysts while they are at work.
Primary Employers
-
Crime lab analysts work primarily for state and local governments. As of 2008, there were 12,800 forensic science technician jobs in the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. This field is expected to grow 20 percent through 2018 due to state and local governments increasing their use of forensic science techniques like DNA analysis to examine, solve and prevent crime.
Wages
-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, crime lab analysts made an average of $23.97 per hour in 2008. Most crime lab analysts had at least a 2-year associate's degree in applied science or science-related technology. Some had bachelor's degrees in natural sciences and others had no formal postsecondary education, learning their skills on the job. Most employers, however, preferred applicants with at least two years of specialized postsecondary training in forensics.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit lab kit image by PHOTOFLY from Fotolia.com
More Like This
Comments
-
Thank you this page was very helpful.But I live in North Carolina and there's not many forensic crime lab here so what do I do?
