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.
<ul><li>Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.</li><li>Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.</li><li>Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.</li><li>Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.</li><li>Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.</li><li>Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.</li><li>Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.</li><li>Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.</li><li>Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.</li><li>Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.</li></ul>