How To Become A Crime Laboratory Analyst
Train as a Crime Laboratory Analyst to Process Evidence and Make Connections in Crimes
With all the crime dramas on tv these days, many people think they know all there is to know about investigating crimes and using technological procedures like DNA analysis and fingerprinting, but if you train as a crime laboratory analyst, you will get a very real view at what goes on in a crime lab that makes it such an essential part of an investigation. Workers in this field can also choose to specialize in one area of expertise, and although they don't get involved in any field work, they are involved in an exciting, challenging and fast paced environment that keeps them on their toes.
Job Description
The tasks of the job can vary depending on the size and resources of the department they work for, but in general a crime scene technician will photograph and collect evidence from the crime scene and bring it back for a lab analyst to process. If the facility is large, the analyst may only be in charge of one type of analysis, but in many departments where they don't have the funding for extensive lab professionals, a typical lab analyst will work at gathering data from all specimens, including DNA, trace evidence, toxicology, fingerprints, blood alcohol and weapons. They have to use their findings to make connections with the crime and the criminal and then produce reports on their evidence for law enforcement officials to make the arrest.
Training
Before determining the criminal justice degree to get, you need to decide if you want to specialize in only one sector or be prepared for all, and you need to figure out what type of lab you want to work in, since many larger facilities have increased their educational requirements, demanding at least a masters or a PhD. In most cases a bachelors degree is sufficient, and chemistry is the ideal major. Aside from that though, a degree in biology, forensic science, natural science, criminalistics, or virtually any other physical science would also be appropriate to enter this field. There are many great campus programs for studies in these areas, but there are also a few online options in places like American InterContinental University and Ashford University. Once hired, you will then go through an additional crime lab training on site that will cover additional skills in areas like how to analyse, package and store the evidence collected and processed.
Job Outlook
There are many factors that sway the salary range of a crime lab analyst, most of which have to do with experience and education, but also including the facility and location you work in. A starting salary usually ranges from $28,000-45,000 but with previous experience, you could be looking at $42,000-55,000 and even as high as $70,000 which is considered high among careers in criminal justice. It is a hard field to get into, but the US Bureau of Labor Statistics does predict new openings for entry level positions, so although becoming a crime laboratory analyst is highly competitive, the opportunities are there.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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