Description
Collect, document, classify, and analyze physical evidence for criminal investigations. Conduct laboratory examinations on weapons, biological materials, fibers, and other trace evidence to determine probative value. Maintain chain of custody, operate forensic instruments, and prepare technical reports. Testify on methods and findings and may specialize in firearms/ballistics, latent prints, DNA/serology, toxicology, or questioned documents.
- • Testify in court on forensic methods and findings.
- • Interpret laboratory results to identify and classify evidence.
- • Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments.
- • Prepare reagents, standards, and sample solutions.
- • Collect and preserve crime-scene evidence, maintaining chain of custody.
- • Identify and quantify drugs or poisons in biological samples, foods, or seized materials.
- • Reconstruct crime scenes to relate evidence to events.
- • Develop and collect latent prints from surfaces.
- • Analyze gunshot residue and bullet trajectories.
- • Visit morgues and crime scenes to obtain evidence and information.
- • Examine firearms for function and legal status; restore obliterated serial numbers.
- • Consult with specialists in ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, toxicology, documents, or materials.
- • Compare tools and other objects to impression marks.
- • Document methods and results; write clear forensic reports.
- • Use chemical and physical processes to develop latent prints and compare via databases.
- • Train and mentor new technicians on forensic procedures.
- • Examine and interpret bloodstain pattern evidence.
- • Photograph and video-record evidence and scenes.
- • Review forensic reports for technical accuracy and completeness.
- • Determine bullet types and likely weapons used.
- • Measure, map, and sketch scenes to document evidence locations.
- • Analyze footwear, tire, and other impression evidence.
- • Examine hair, biological fluids, fibers, wood, soil, and other trace materials.
- • Acquire and analyze data from computers and digital media for investigations.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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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
