Crime Lab Analyst

Description of Work Tasks, Settings and Tools

CRIME LAB ANALYSTS apply scientific principles to examine and identify physical evidence to reconstruct a crime scene. They hunt for, gather, photograph, and preserve evidence. Physical evidence can be a weapon, a bloodstain, a piece of clothing, drugs, or even a vapor in the air. Crime lab analysts use physical evidence to provide a link between the suspect and the victim, such as the transfer of clothing or hair fibers from a suspect to the victim. Other evidence can be fingerprints, bullets, or shoe impressions.

Physical evidence is usually collected from the crime scene by crime scene investigators, who then pass it on to crime lab analysts; however, crime lab analysts often collect physical evidence at crime scenes. Proper collection of evidence is important to prevent contamination and to ensure the characteristics of the evidence. Once they receive the evidence, crime lab analysts perform certain tests depending on the type of evidence. Crime lab analysts usually specialize in one or more types of testing, including serology, trace evidence, firearms/tool marks, impression evidence, and drug identification. Serology is the analysis of physiological fluid evidence such as bloodstains and saliva. DNA typing is also possible with this type of evidence. DNA typing gives the crime lab analysts a genetic blueprint that is unique to each person. Crime lab analysts then try to match the DNA typing with that of the suspect.

Trace evidence is the analysis of hairs, fibers, paint, glass, wood, and soil that are present at the crime scene. Examination of trace evidence helps to establish a relationship with a suspect and a victim because it associates one person or location with another person.

A specialist in the analysis of firearms and tool marks examine firearms to determine if they have been fired or not; and perform tool mark analysis on any object suspected of being used as a tool in the commission of a crime. Crime lab analysts also determine the type of bullet used and whether it was fired from the gun used in the crime.

Impression evidence is the evaluation of impressions made by tires, shoes, depressions in soft soils, and other types of tracks. Bite marks in food or on skin are also included in impression evidence. Crime lab analysts also get impressions of dust from surfaces to reveal fingerprints. A specialist in drug identification analyzes and identifies illegal substances, such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana that are found in plastic bags or vials at crime scenes.

Crime lab analysts must interpret the results of analyses in order to determine their significance to the case. They are often called upon to provide expert testimony in a court of law about their methods and findings.

CRIME LAB ANALYSTS work for:

state laboratories the FBI the Secret Service the armed forces

Crime lab analysts work indoors in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratories; and indoors and outdoors at crime scenes.

CRIME LAB ANALYSTS work with:

• mechanical devices
• chemical and physical substances
• materials, liquids, and other physical evidence
• spectroscopes, microscopes, infrared and ultraviolet light, microphotography, gas chromatographs, and other recording, measuring, and testing instruments
  

Training, Related Majors and Advancement

Employers require CRIME LAB ANALYSTS to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university with a major in a forensic, physical, or natural science such as criminalistics, chemistry, biology, or physics. Some crime labs require a master's degree in forensic science or criminalistics. Preference will be given to those with a Ph.D. degree and/or experience. No special licensing or certification is required for crime lab analysts.

The following majors could help you prepare for this occupation:

• Chemistry
• Forensic Science/Technology
• Pharmacology & Toxicology

Analysts in most crime labs have opportunities for promotion to higher paying CRIME LAB ANALYST positions with more responsibility at the same lab. The top analyst in a lab is the head chemist. Since most laboratories have only one head chemist and turnover is low, it may take a long time for someone to advance to this level. Beyond head chemist, a person may advance to assistant director, and finally to director of a crime laboratory.

Desirable Personal Qualities

Helpful qualities for CRIME LAB ANALYSTS include:

• an ability to collect, analyze, and interpret physical evidence
• thoroughness and accuracy
• an ability to handle pressure while testifying in court
• good communication skills
• an ability to handle detailed work
• familiarity with computers
  

Estimated Salary

• Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
  

National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):

National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour

*Information taken from DISCOVER.