Evidence Technician — Tasks, Software & AI Prompts

What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

Half of all Forensic Science Technicians in the U.S. earn more than $72,060 a year — the middle 80% land between $48,250 and $117,250. About 19,120 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Forensic Science Technicians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).

$72,060typical pay / year

19,120people in this work

$117,250+top 10% earn

₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)

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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

The daily work15

Examine and analyze blood stain patterns

Collect and document the blood stain exhibits from Locker 12, photograph each pattern with scale and ruler,…

Collect and document the blood stain exhibits from Locker 12, photograph each pattern with scale and ruler, measure stain dimensions and angles, run pattern classification worksheets, then draft a one‑page finding summarizing likely mechanism and preservation needs by end of shift.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET

Wear appropriate protective gear

Put on nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and an impermeable evidence apron before entering the processing room,…

Put on nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and an impermeable evidence apron before entering the processing room, check glove integrity and expiry, confirm respirator fit if aerosol work is planned, and record time and serials in the log.

The tools that do the workLinuxESCOsee the evidence ↗

Calibrate laboratory equipment

Run the instrument warm-up cycle, load the calibration standard with its lot number, execute the three-point…

Run the instrument warm-up cycle, load the calibration standard with its lot number, execute the three-point calibration procedure, verify readings within tolerance, print or save the calibration report, and note any deviations in the equipment maintenance log.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOsee the evidence ↗

Train new technicians in forensic techniques

Train Jordan and Priya on hands-on fingerprint lifting, bloody pattern documentation, and chain-of-custody…

Train Jordan and Priya on hands-on fingerprint lifting, bloody pattern documentation, and chain-of-custody entries this Tuesday; demonstrate sample prep, equipment calibration, PPE checks, then run them through a mock case from intake to storage until they perform independently.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET

Review forensic reports for technical merit

Review Sergeant Lopez's latent print and toxicology reports for technical merit by Thursday, confirm methods,…

Review Sergeant Lopez's latent print and toxicology reports for technical merit by Thursday, confirm methods, calibration logs, chain-of-custody, and whether conclusions match the data, then annotate and send required corrections back to the analyst.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET

Compare objects and impression marks

Compare the two shoe impressions and the recovered heel fragment from 34 Elm Street, photograph at scale,…

Compare the two shoe impressions and the recovered heel fragment from 34 Elm Street, photograph at scale, document class and individual characteristics, run side-by-side measurements, and write a conclusion on likelihood of source for the detective by Friday.

The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET

Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.

Inspect the seized Glock for safety and mechanical condition, perform non-destructive function checks,…

Inspect the seized Glock for safety and mechanical condition, perform non-destructive function checks, attempt controlled restoration on the obliterated serial with documented methods, photograph each step, and deliver a findings memo to Lieutenant Ramos by Monday.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Create photographic and sketch-based documentation

Create a photographic set and two scene sketches of the burglary on Oak Lane: capture overall, mid-range, and…

Create a photographic set and two scene sketches of the burglary on Oak Lane: capture overall, mid-range, and close-ups with scale, note focal length and exposure, draft a floorplan sketch with measurements, and package the images and sketch files for the prosecutor.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe Photoshopjob descriptions

Operate digital media analysis tools

Process the seized laptop and phone for digital evidence using write-blocked imaging, catalogue extracted…

Process the seized laptop and phone for digital evidence using write-blocked imaging, catalogue extracted artifacts, preserve hash logs, and deliver a prioritized list of recoverable items and timeline to Detective Nguyen within 72 hours.

The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions

Observe laboratory activities

Observe the PCR setup in Forensics Lab B during the 0800–1000 shift, note every deviation from SOP 3.1, who…

Observe the PCR setup in Forensics Lab B during the 0800–1000 shift, note every deviation from SOP 3.1, who handled each tube, instrument calibrations observed, and whether full PPE was worn; file the signed observation within two hours.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO

Support life science professionals

Assist the molecular biologist in Sample Prep Room A today: stage reagents, run prepped controls, log…

Assist the molecular biologist in Sample Prep Room A today: stage reagents, run prepped controls, log technician and researcher names, confirm calibration stickers on the centrifuge and thermocycler before they run, and flag any contamination risk immediately.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCO

Record test sequences

Record the full test sequence for serology batch 24: start and end times for each step, operator initials,…

Record the full test sequence for serology batch 24: start and end times for each step, operator initials, instrument serial numbers, solution lot numbers, temperature readings every ten minutes, and compile an auditable sequence file by end of shift.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO

Prepare samples for testing

Prepare five blood swab samples from Evidence Locker 12 for toxicology: photograph packaging, assign…

Prepare five blood swab samples from Evidence Locker 12 for toxicology: photograph packaging, assign chain-of-custody labels, aliquot under hood wearing gloves and face shield, note volumes and storage temperatures, then place into the cold chain within 30 minutes.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Laboratory techniques

Run routine staining and microscopy techniques on trace fiber slides this afternoon: follow method F-TX7…

Run routine staining and microscopy techniques on trace fiber slides this afternoon: follow method F-TX7 stepwise, document reagent lot numbers, microscope objective used, magnification and exposure settings, and attach two representative micrographs to the slide record.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordAdobe PhotoshopESCOsee the evidence ↗

Operate scientific measuring equipment

Operate the calibrated gas chromatograph for volatile analysis on evidence vial 108: confirm calibration…

Operate the calibrated gas chromatograph for volatile analysis on evidence vial 108: confirm calibration certificate, run the tune and QC standards, record peak times and instrument settings, save the data file with operator initials and deposit it in the case folder.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOsee the evidence ↗

Analysing4

Perform tests on weapons or substances

Receive the submitted handgun and the unknown powder sample, log chain of custody, swab and prepare control…

Receive the submitted handgun and the unknown powder sample, log chain of custody, swab and prepare control and test samples, run presumptive chemical and microscopic examinations, record instrument readings and note any safety or contamination concerns in the test log before 1700.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET

Operate and maintain laboratory equipment

Perform the scheduled preventive calibration on the spectrometer and the centrifuge, follow the maintenance…

Perform the scheduled preventive calibration on the spectrometer and the centrifuge, follow the maintenance checklist, record calibration values and tolerance confirmations, replace worn consumables, and file the completed maintenance record in the equipment folder by close of business.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET

Testify as expert witnesses in court

Prepare my expert packet for next Tuesday: compile chain-of-custody, lab reports, calibration certificates,…

Prepare my expert packet for next Tuesday: compile chain-of-custody, lab reports, calibration certificates, annotated photos, and a concise testimony outline linking methods to conclusions, then circulate the packet to the prosecutor and print three signed copies for court.

The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptionsO*NET

Reconstruct crime scenes

Reconstruct the small-apartment homicide scene at 42 Maple Street: map entry and exit points, place blood…

Reconstruct the small-apartment homicide scene at 42 Maple Street: map entry and exit points, place blood spatter and item locations to scale, photograph and annotate each stage, and produce a scene diagram for the detective by 10 a.m.

The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET

Says who?

These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.

O*NET 19-4092.00 BLS pay survey BLS OEWS 2025 UK NOS SFJCN803 UK NOS SFHHPC5 UK NOS SFJCN403 ESCO warnerpacific.edu wvu.edu onlineprograms.appstate.edu what people in this job say

The logs, files & records this job keeps

Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.

maintenance case calibration

Related careers

Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.

Forensic Chemist Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator Csi Forensic Pathologist Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Biologist Dna Analyst Fingerprint Examiner Trace Evidence Analyst Ballistics Examiner

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