Forensic analysts have various tasks, with some going to crime scenes while others study objects involved in crimes. Some focus on suspects, while others examine dead bodies to help convict suspects.
There are several types of forensic analyst, and the tasks of each vary greatly. For example, some have to go straight to the crime scene because forensic examiners and engineers are usually needed. Others, like computer forensic analysts and crime lab analysts, tend to stay in the office to study items involved in crime. Another type of forensic analyst, called a forensic psychologist, usually studies suspects to ensure they are competent to stand trial. Medical examiners, on the other hand, tend to focus on dead bodies found at crime scenes, and the information obtained may help in convicting the suspect.
Many forensic analysts have to go out into the field, such as at crime scenes, to do this work. For example, a crime scene examiner is usually among the first at the scene; he is responsible for securing the area and carefully collecting any possible evidence – such as hair, blood or bullets – that could lead to the search for the culprit. Also often on the scene are forensic engineers, who can use their knowledge of math and science to identify what happened. Car accident and fire investigations are among those most likely to need the help of this type of forensic analyst.
Some analyst jobs mostly involve staying in the office while working, because certain types of analyst tend to spend their time studying objects that were involved in the crime rather than observing the crime scene. An example is a computer forensic analyst, who typically studies computers that may have been used shortly before the crime. Talented computer forensics analysts can often recover deleted files and unearth photos and emails that can help uncover who committed the criminal act in question. A crime lab analyst may also tend to remain in the office to perform typical forensic analyst duties, because blood, drugs, and weapons often need to be closely examined to help find the culprit.
While some types of forensic analysts focus on the crime scene or the objects used during the incident, others turn their attention to the people involved. For example, once the other analysts’ work points to the suspect, a forensic psychologist steps in to find out if the suspect has a mental illness. If so, he will likely need to be treated differently than someone who is not mentally ill, so this type of forensic analyst is considered quite important. An equally crucial participant in crime scene investigations is the medical examiner, who often studies dead bodies involved in crimes. This type of forensic analyst typically strives to determine how and when the victim died, which can help convict the suspect.
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