How to hire a crime scene technician

How to hire a crime scene technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step crime scene technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a crime scene technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new crime scene technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The crime scene technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A crime scene technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, crime scene technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of crime scene technicians.

   Type of Crime Scene Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Crime Scene Technician	Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis... Show more	$15-38
   Forensic Computer Examiner	With the arrival of the computer age came a plethora of crimes. Forensic computer examiners collect and analyze data to uncover and prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identify theft... Show more	$22-45
   Forensic Investigator	A forensic investigator is responsible for collecting evidence and pieces of a clue to solve a complicated incident. A forensic investigator must have strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to handle various cases that would require intensive research and scientific principles application... Show more	$12-47

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Biohazard
   • Demolition
   • Physical Evidence
   • Crime Scene Investigation
   • Latent Prints
   • Crime Lab
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Digital Photography
   • Criminal Investigations
   • Sketch
   • DNA
   • Evidence Collection
   • Criminal Cases
   • Afis

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Process crime scenes for fingerprints, DNA (various types), trace evidence, bloodstain pattern analysis, bullet trajectory.
   • Collaborate with federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, KBI and IRS.
   • Check SID numbers in RAS system.
   • Perform enrollment procedures in helping TWs acquire their TWIC card.
   • Require to run NCIC on all persons requesting their weapons return.
   • Produce clear and classify fingerprints for immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your crime scene technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A crime scene technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, crime scene technicians' average salary in north carolina is 57% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level crime scene technicians earn 59% less than senior-level crime scene technicians.
   • Certifications. A crime scene technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a crime scene technician's salary.

   Average crime scene technician salary

   $51,741yearly

   $24.88 hourly rate

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   Entry-level crime scene technician salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a crime scene technician job description

   A crime scene technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a crime scene technician job description:

   Crime scene technician job description example

   MINIMUM TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
   
   Associate degree or higher in Crime Scene Technology, Forensic and Investigative Science, Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related applied sciences field of study.
   
   Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License and have and maintain an acceptable driving record.
   
   EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS
   
   Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident by incident basis, the employee's Department Head will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
   
   GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
   
   Under general supervision, performs skilled work for the Police Department in the collection and identification of evidence at crime scenes. Work involves collection of physical and latent evidence; analysis, documentation and preservation of evidence; and the presentation of evidence to the courts. Reports to the Police Sergeant or Lieutenant.
   
   SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBLITIES
   
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
   
   Conducts crime scene searches to collect and preserve physical evidence; photographs crime scenes and accidents; processes physical evidence turned in by investigating officers for such possible identifying elements as latent fingerprints, bloodstains, hair and fiber, and tool marks.
   
   Analysis of identified evidence and preserves all evidence for presentation in court; transports evidence to the State laboratory for detailed analysis if warranted.
   
   Maintains filing system for mug shots, crime scene photographs, 35mm digital photo files.
   
   Prepares detailed investigation reports; assembles and organizes statements and evidence for presentation in court; attends court and presents evidence and testimony.
   
   Prints and files digital photographs for departmental use, including crime or accident scene photographs, and mug shots; maintains department cameras and associated equipment; maintains inventory of photograph print supplies and distributes among department personnel as necessary.
   
   ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS
   
   Coordinates lab work requests.
   
   Attends autopsies when necessary.
   
   Reviews update reports of crime scene processing and physical evidence collection.
   
   Maintains and provides video equipment for use in court.
   
   Maintains computer files, including data entry duties.
   
   Maintains a working knowledge of new laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and policies and procedures.
   
   Performs other work as required.
   
   This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right crime scene technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with crime scene technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit crime scene technicians who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your crime scene technician job on Zippia to find and recruit crime scene technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit crime scene technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new crime scene technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect crime scene technician candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new crime scene technician. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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