Crime Laboratory AnalystCrime laboratory analysts most often work in the laboratory and not in the field. The lab environment is very complex and crime lab analysts play a major role in analyzing evidence and connecting that evidence to a suspect. During some criminal investigations a crime lab analyst may venture into the field to assist a crime scene technician in photographing, collecting and preserving evidence at a crime scene. In most cases, the crime scene technician will collect crime scene evidence and brings it back to the crime lab for analysis.
Depending on the laboratory, crime lab analysts will sometimes specialize in certain areas of evidence analysis such as, DNA or trace evidence. However, in most law enforcement departments there are only one or two lab analysts and they are responsible for analyzing all areas of the physical evidence in a criminal investigation. Typical analyses of evidence conducted by the crime lab analyst include, serology, DNA, firearms and tool marks, trace evidence, blood alcohol, toxicology, and others. The results of such analyses are used to match or link the victim to a suspect. Results are reported to law enforcement administration and investigators. A crime lab analyst will also provide expert testimony in a court of law as to the methods used for analysis and what they found. Crime lab analysts will typically work a 40 hour week in the lab, but during a priority investigation they may work longer hours as well as weekends and holidays. |