What Does a Crime Lab Tech Do?
Crime laboratory technicians play an integral role in the criminal justice system. Alternatively called forensic science technicians and less often police science technicians, they gather, document and analyze evidence related to a variety of crimes. Given the scientific requirements of the work, individuals who choose such a career must first establish a strong background in science, mathematics, statistics, technology and general legal issues.
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Ballistics Technicians
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Crime lab technicians who specialize in ballistics examine discharged bullets to determine which guns could and could not have fired them.
Chemical and Physical Analysis Technicians
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Some technicians in forensic laboratories focus on evaluating physical evidence found on or near both victims and crime scenes to discover relevant information, often involving DNA. The evidence can be either biological (for example, blood) or non-biological (for instance, poison).
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Documents Technicians
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Crimes sometimes require lab technicians to be adept at analyzing documents, including the type of materials used (for example, the paper, printer and ink) and the penmanship of the writer.
Fingerprint Technicians
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Despite the specification "fingerprint," forensic technicians who concentrate in the area also examine other types of surface imprints, ranging from fingerprints to footprints to tracks made by tires and other objects and body parts.
Instruments Technicians
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Technicians skilled at detecting which implements make which types of marks often do so to determine the weapon or item used to commit a murder or crime (such as breaking and entering).
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