Forensic analyst jobs provide investigative support to law enforcement agencies. Crime scene examiners collect evidence, crime lab analysts examine physical evidence, and coroners determine the cause of death. The crime scene examiner is the most important, requiring an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Crime lab analysts need a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or chemistry, while coroners need a medical degree. Their work helps to convict criminals and prove the innocence of those wrongly accused.
The different types of forensic analyst jobs are designed to provide investigative support and useful information to various law enforcement agencies. There are many different specialties within each of these areas of forensic analysts. Crime Scene Examiners serve as the front line of support in a criminal investigation, relying on their skills to observe and collect evidence at the crime scene. A crime lab analyst typically examines physical evidence gathered during a criminal investigation. Coroners perform autopsies, examine injuries, and help determine the most likely cause of death for the victim.
Of all the forensic analyst jobs, the crime scene examiner or investigator may be the most important. Often the first official specialists to arrive at a crime scene, the crime scene investigator secures, observes, documents and collects all evidence at the crime scene. Unless specific protocols and methods are observed and practiced in collecting evidence, this evidence can be altered, contaminated or even destroyed, rendering the investigation useless. The criminal conviction or exoneration of individuals relies heavily on evidence gathered at the crime scene. While educational requirements vary by region, most agencies require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree for this position.
A crime lab analyst typically performs scientific examinations and inspects material evidence collected at the crime scene. These types of forensic analyst jobs may require inspection or testing of firearms, fiber identification, blood spatter evaluation, or DNA analysis. Some crime lab analysts may also assist a medical examiner with autopsies. Most forensic analyst jobs in this field require a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or chemistry. The work done by these crime lab analysts helps to convict criminals and prove the innocence of those who may be wrongly accused of a crime.
Coroners need a medical degree. Their specific duties involve working with corpses, usually victims of a crime. The coroner’s primary role is to determine the exact cause of death, but other important parts of this job include collecting specific medical evidence, blood or DNA analysis, and documenting injuries sustained by the victim. Coroners may also spend time in court explaining the details of how a victim received injuries or a specific cause of death to a judge and jury or providing testimony in legal depositions.
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