According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. | 98% |
| Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. | 95% |
| Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes. | 93% |
| Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. | 90% |
| Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases. | 89% |
| Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence. | 88% |
| Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations. | 86% |
| Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques. | 85% |
| Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition. | 82% |
| Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus. | 82% |
| Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints. | 81% |
| Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence. | 81% |
| Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings. | 80% |
| Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit. | 80% |
| Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes. | 79% |
| Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes. | 78% |
| Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred. | 77% |
| Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation. | 76% |
| Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark. | 74% |
| Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes. | 73% |
| Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers. | 71% |
| Analyze DNA data to identify DNA donor profiles. | 71% |
| Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity. | 69% |
| Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work. | 68% |
| Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions. | 65% |
