Crime Lab Technician

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Work Tasks

• Give technical support to staff in a crime lab
• Keep a log of evidence collected by police
• Keep lab equipment clean and repaired
• Operate lab equipment and do testing
• Work indoors in laboratories and offices
• Work with evidence from crime scenes, lab equipment, samples for chemical analyses, computers, and safety devices

Salary, Size & Growth

• $53,000 average per year ($25.50 per hour)
• A small occupation (12,400 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.0% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree in science
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in forensic science or related field
• Skills/Courses: College courses include chemistry, physics, math, biology, microbiology, toxicology, and computer science, with emphasis on laboratory science courses.