Description
Collect, screen, and analyze biological evidence to develop, interpret, and report DNA profiles for criminal and identity investigations. Perform serology, extraction, quantification, amplification, and capillary electrophoresis; interpret results and statistics; maintain quality systems and evidence integrity. Testify as an expert and may specialize in STR, Y-STR, mitochondrial DNA, or CODIS operations.
- • Testify in court on DNA methodologies, validation, interpretation, and findings.
- • Interpret DNA profiles and mixtures to assess inclusion/exclusion and calculate statistics (e.g., LR, CPI, RMP).
- • Operate and maintain DNA laboratory instruments, including thermal cyclers, capillary electrophoresis systems, and qPCR platforms.
- • Prepare and quality-control reagents, primers, buffers, and controls for serology and DNA workflows.
- • Receive, document, and preserve biological evidence with strict chain-of-custody procedures.
- • Screen items for biological fluids using presumptive and confirmatory tests for blood, semen, and saliva.
- • Perform DNA extraction methods (organic, Chelex, differential, automated) appropriate to sample type.
- • Quantify human and male DNA and evaluate inhibition and degradation metrics.
- • Amplify STR, Y-STR, or mtDNA targets and run capillary electrophoresis to generate profiles.
- • Interpret low-level, degraded, or complex mixture data; apply probabilistic genotyping where validated.
- • Compare evidentiary profiles to known references to associate or exclude contributors.
- • Upload eligible profiles to CODIS, conduct hit confirmation, and document notifications per policy.
- • Swab and subsample items (weapons, clothing, touch DNA) using validated collection techniques.
- • Collect or coordinate reference buccal swabs and elimination samples following legal and ethical standards.
- • Document casework in LIMS and author clear technical reports of methods, results, statistics, and conclusions.
- • Conduct technical and administrative reviews of DNA case files for accuracy and compliance.
- • Implement and monitor contamination control measures, including PPE, clean areas, and control samples.
- • Calibrate and verify equipment and pipettes; track instrument performance and maintenance logs.
- • Photograph and document stains and sampling locations on evidence.
- • Advise investigators and attorneys on evidence selection, testing limitations, and result interpretation.
- • Participate in method validation, software verification, and procedure development for the DNA unit.
- • Train and mentor new analysts or technicians in serology, DNA analysis, and quality practices.
- • Comply with accreditation and quality standards (ISO/IEC 17025, FBI QAS) and complete proficiency tests.
- • Coordinate with medical examiners and law enforcement to obtain reference samples and case information.
- • Handle biohazardous materials safely and dispose of waste according to regulations.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
