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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 19-4092 Forensic Science Technicians
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.
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Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
OJT: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks: Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. 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. Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence. Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus. Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation. Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work. Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $18.57   Entry $38,629.00
Mean $23.77   Mean $49,448.00
Experience $26.37 Experience $54,853.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
260290351.09
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Occupational Videos
19-4092.00 Forensic Science Technicians