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Job Description

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 19-4092.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 60,690.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 14,800 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Forensic Science Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Ballistics Expert”

Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information such as serial numbers.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

Related Technology & Tools

35 millimeter cameras
Postmortem print spoons
Electrostatic dust print lifters
Insect collection containers
Fuming hot plates
Steel measuring tape
UV forensic goggles
Steam sterilizers
Fingerprint evidence kits
Safety glasses
Stainless steel tweezers
Laboratory benchtop centrifuges
Reciprocating saws
Glass specimen jars
Colored camera filters
Ultraviolet UV camera lens filters
Police vans
Plastic specimen jars
Evidence collection containers
Digital cameras
Plastic evidence tweezers
Impression casting kits
Photo markers
Mobile data computers
Thermocyclers
Fingerprint brushes
Biohazard suits
Navigational compasses
Laser trajectory kits
Hand held magnifiers
Rounded scalpels
Microscope slides
Spectrophotometers
Pointed scalpels
Glassware washers
Stainless steel spatulas
Crime scene tape measures
Ultraviolet UV lights
Electronic measuring devices
Protective masks
Fingerprint recognition systems
Electronic precision balances
Body fluid collection kits
Spades
Evidence scissors
Gunshot residue kits
Long-wave ultraviolet UV lamps
Handheld digital thermometers
Laptop computers
Gel lifters
Cyanoacrylate fuming chambers
Optical compound microscopes
Desktop computers
Photographic scales
Stainless steel scissors
Metal detectors
Portable lasers
Handheld evidence collection computers
Benchtop mixers
Shovels
Blood collection kits
Utility knives
Sifting screens
Large format cameras
Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
Digital video cameras
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Footwear protectors
Insect swoop nets
Distance measuring wheels
Protractors
Sexual assault evidence collection kits
Infrared light sources
Breathalyzers
Drug testing kits
Medical hemostats
Portable two way radios
Crime scene evidence flags
Personal computers
Inspection mirrors
Protective latex gloves
Portable generators

Image enhancement software
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Combined DNA Index System CODIS
Microsoft Visio
SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
Microsoft Access
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
Laboratory information management system LIMS
Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
Eos Systems PhotoModeler
Microsoft Office
Midwest Information Systems PAX-it
Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
Web browser software
Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus
DM2 Bills of Lading
The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
IBM Notes
Microsoft Excel
Graphics software
Microsoft Word
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Microsoft Outlook
DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
National Crime Information Center NCIC database
DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene