Difference Between a Forensic Science Technician and Crime Scene Investigator
When you watch police dramas on TV and in the movies, you often see dramatized versions of crime scene investigators. These workers are primarily tasked with examining the scene of the crime, looking for evidence, tagging and bagging evidence, and ensuring that the evidence is labeled, stored, and transported in a manner that maintains the integrity of the evidence collected. That’s where forensic science technicians come in.
While crime scene investigators work at crime scenes and collect evidence, forensic science technicians work in laboratories and examine the evidence that has been collected for possible clues about what happened and who might be responsible for the crime. It’s important to note that some crime scene investigators are also forensic science technicians and vice versa. There is some overlap between these two careers.
Job Duties
Forensic Science Technician
A forensic science technician mostly focuses their time on analyzing crime scene evidence in a lab setting. For example, they might test blood, hair, and other DNA samples to determine the identity of the person that left the samples behind.
As another example, they might utilize clues from the crime scene (i.e., evidence, photos, videos) to create a model of what the crime scene likely looked like when the crime was committed.
Another common duty of forensic science technicians is to provide expert testimony in court. Using their scientific findings, they would testify regarding what the evidence suggests might have happened, when it might have happened, and who might have done it.
Of course, workers in this field are also responsible for keeping track of evidence and ensuring that it remains viable. That means following strict procedures for removing evidence from bags, handling evidence during testing, storing evidence appropriately, maintaining a record of who has had access to the evidence, and so forth.
Crime Scene Investigator
The primary duty of a crime scene investigator is to work the crime scene to find all the evidence possible. This includes large items like murder weapons, small items like hair samples, and a wide range of things in between.
Once evidence is found, it’s the responsibility of the crime scene investigator to photograph the item, and in some cases measure the item. Notes will be taken regarding where the item was found as well as its spatial relationship to important areas within the crime scene. Sometimes, crime scene investigators are asked to sketch the crime scene as well.
Crime scene investigators are also responsible for tagging evidentiary items, place them in an evidence bag, and noting that the evidence was collected in a ledger. This helps ensure that each piece of evidence can be accounted for and that the chain of custody can be demonstrated should it be called into question.
Transporting the evidence usually falls under the purview of a crime scene investigator as well. They would be responsible for bringing each evidence bag from the crime scene to the evidence storage area of the investigating agency. They might also be responsible for delivering key evidence to forensic science technicians for analysis.
Education Requirements
Forensic Science Technician
Most forensic science technician positions require a bachelor’s degree. Typically, the preferred degrees for positions in this line of work is in forensic science, though some positions are open to workers that have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or a closely related field. Regardless, a bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to complete, meaning entrance into a career can come fairly quickly.
Admissions requirements for bachelor’s degree programs differ from one school to the next. However, students should expect to meet minimum standards regarding high school GPA and college entrance exam scores.
Though not highly common, some positions in this field require more advanced studies in the form of a master’s degree program. Since these studies are more advanced, there are usually more advanced admissions requirements as well.
For example, in addition to having a satisfactory undergraduate GPA and satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), many master’s degree programs often require prospective students to submit letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors, write a personal statement or essay, and meet with an admissions board.
Once a forensic science technician is hired, they often must complete a period of training with their employer. Though this period varies from a few months to several years, the purpose remains the same – to provide oversight and mentorship such that the worker can develop the knowledge and skills that are needed to be effective in their job.
Crime Scene Investigator
Like forensic science technicians, the most appropriate education for a crime scene investigator is to get a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a closely related field. These four-year programs help students build the requisite foundation of knowledge and skills that will allow them to enter the workforce and complete the duties of their job with competence. Coursework often includes forensic science, criminology, criminal justice, ethics, biology, and biochemistry, to name a few.
In some instances, law enforcement agencies might hire a worker that has a two-year associate’s degree in forensic science or a related field. This is an uncommon practice, however, because associate’s degrees require just two years of studies and the coursework is not as rigorous or as expansive as what’s found in bachelor’s degree programs.
No matter if a prospective crime scene investigator has an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, they can expect to go through a significant amount of on-the-job training to learn more advanced skills that will aid them in conducting the duties of their job.
For example, they might be partnered with an experienced crime scene investigator that serves as a mentor throughout the training period. Rather than being allowed to independently work a crime scene, the new crime scene investigator would instead work side-by-side with their mentor.
Work Environment
Forensic Science Technician
As noted earlier, most forensic science technicians work in a laboratory environment conducting analyses and experiments involving evidence collected from a crime scene. In many cases, these labs are run by local, state, or federal agencies, though some forensic science technicians work for private companies that are contracted by law enforcement agencies.
Depending on one’s area of specialization, other work environments are possible for people with a background in this field. For example, a forensic science technician that’s been trained specifically in the collection and analysis of DNA might work in the field at a crime scene and in a lab as well.
As another example, a forensic science technician with training in crime scene sketching might work in a police department or other law enforcement agency setting.
Regardless of their primary role, forensic science technicians can expect to work relatively consistent hours in a safe work environment like a lab or law enforcement office.
Crime Scene Investigator
Workers that specialize in crime scene investigation work almost exclusively at crime scenes. That means that the bulk of their time is spent in the field in all kinds of weather and environmental conditions. And since no two crime scenes are alike, crime scene investigators never really know what they will find or how difficult or how long the task will be until they arrive on the scene.
In addition to working crime scenes, crime scene investigators also work in office and laboratory settings, usually in conjunction with forensic science technicians. That is, they might deliver evidence to the lab for analysis, though they seldom take part in any of the testing of the evidence. They likely also have a desk or office space where they can complete paperwork and other necessary tasks, but, again, the bulk of their time is spent investigating in the field.
Salary
Forensic Science Technician
According to a 2021 analysis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a forensic science technician can expect to earn an annual yearly wage of $61,930. That same study showed that the lowest 10 percent of earners in the field made $37,670 per year while the highest 10 percent of earners made $103,430.
That wide disparity in average annual earnings is due to several factors, not the least of which is the level of experience. Brand new workers can expect their earnings to be toward the bottom of this pay range, while veteran workers can expect their earnings to be in the upper half of the pay range.
Additionally, specialization has a lot to do with one’s pay. For example, a general forensic science technician might see lower earnings than one that has additional training that make them an expert in a certain field, like blood analysis or DNA analysis.
Crime Scene Investigator
As reported by ZipRecruiter in 2022, crime scene investigators earn $53,261 each year. That represents the median salary for workers, meaning, the pay range is actually much wider. Some crime scene investigators make little more than $30,000 per year, while others earn more than $73,000 per year.
The level of education and training of a crime scene investigator is a primary factor in the wages that are earned. The more education and training one has, the more salary they can command when applying for a position. Another factor that influences one’s wages is the geographic area in which they work.
Typically, rural areas offer less pay, though the cost of living is often much lower than in urban areas. The agency at which one works can impact the salary earned as well. For example, a crime scene investigator that works for a small, rural police department typically will not make as much money as one that works for a federal agency like the FBI.
