What does a criminalist do?
A criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators. They must also prepare and process documents, present detailed results and reports to investigators, and sometimes testify in court.
Criminalist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real criminalist resumes:
- Perform bone processing and DNA extraction from human remains.
- Perform restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and PCR analysis.
- Perform preventive maintenance on GC instruments and maintain preventive maintenance records in binders and LIMS.
- Analyze controlled and non-control drugs using FTIR, GC/MS, GC/FID, and HPLC methods.
- Analyze samples for the presence or absence of control substances using GC-MS, FTIR, microscopy and other chemical tests.
- Develop a computerize firearms inspection worksheet that provide a print inspection report and create a firearms database.
- Go to areas where accidents/ deaths occur.
Criminalist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Criminalists are proficient in Physical Evidence, Laboratory Reports, and Body Fluids. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math and science skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Criminalists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Physical Evidence, 18%
Recognized, documented and interpreted the significance of physical evidence through the application of a wide variety of scientific disciplines.
- Laboratory Reports, 7%
Communicated daily with Assistant District Attorneys regarding the status of laboratory reports.
- Body Fluids, 7%
Analyzed biological specimens to include isolation, identification, & genetic characterization of body fluids.
- Quantitative Analysis, 5%
Perform quantitative analysis of suspected alcoholic beverages.
- Perform DNA, 5%
Perform DNA PCR-based STR fluorescence imaging analysis.
- Proficiency Testing, 4%
Participate in annual proficiency testing and continuing education as required by the accreditation standard.
"physical evidence," "laboratory reports," and "body fluids" are among the most common skills that criminalists use at work. You can find even more criminalist responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a criminalist to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "forensic science technicians must be able to notice small changes in mundane objects to be good at collecting and analyzing evidence." Criminalists often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "worked in an electronic discovery lab and conducted detailed forensic examination of disk images and other hardware peripherals using encase software. "
Math and science skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling criminalist duties is math and science skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "forensic science technicians need a solid understanding of statistics and natural sciences to be able to analyze evidence." According to a criminalist resume, here's how criminalists can utilize math and science skills in their job responsibilities: "recognized by senior leadership for designing and implementing an efficient system to log and inventory evidence using ms excel. "
Problem-solving skills. criminalists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to criminalist responsibilities, because "forensic science technicians use scientific tests and methods to help law enforcement officials solve crimes." A criminalist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "utilized liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction, dissolution, ph, various wet chemistry procedures, and other lab techniques. "
The three companies that hire the most criminalists are:
- City of Reno2 criminalists jobs
- Port of Long Beach1 criminalists jobs
- City of Long Beach1 criminalists jobs
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Compare different criminalists
Criminalist vs. Evidence technician
A Fingerprint Technician specializes in reviewing and classifying fingerprints, processing them according to their purpose. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes assisting clients in fingerprinting processes, facilitating fingerprint scanning methods, utilizing software to record and organize data, and maintaining an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow. When it comes to employment, a Fingerprint Technician may work for government agencies, law enforcement, and forensic laboratories.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, criminalist responsibilities require skills like "physical evidence," "laboratory reports," "body fluids," and "quantitative analysis." Meanwhile a typical evidence technician has skills in areas such as "data entry," "crime lab," "ncic," and "hazardous materials." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that evidence technicians earn slightly differ from criminalists. In particular, evidence technicians are 11.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a criminalist. Additionally, they're 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Criminalist vs. Fingerprint technician
A Computer Forensics Technician investigates cases from a digital perspective. They specialize in gathering and analyzing digital evidence from devices such as computers, flash drives, cell phones, tablets, and other technologies. There are also instances where they use special software and tools, recover or retrieve files, and unseal documents while adhering to government laws and regulations. When it comes to employment, they may work for government agencies, law enforcement, or even private investigators.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real criminalist resumes. While criminalist responsibilities can utilize skills like "laboratory reports," "body fluids," "quantitative analysis," and "perform dna," fingerprint technicians use skills like "customer service," "citizenship," "uscis," and "fingerprint cards."
In general, fingerprint technicians achieve lower levels of education than criminalists. They're 16.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Criminalist vs. Computer forensics technician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, criminalists are more likely to have skills like "laboratory reports," "body fluids," "quantitative analysis," and "perform dna." But a computer forensics technician is more likely to have skills like "test order," "digital evidence," "worksheets," and "laboratory equipment."
When it comes to education, computer forensics technicians tend to earn lower degree levels compared to criminalists. In fact, they're 11.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Criminalist vs. Latent fingerprint examiner
Even though a few skill sets overlap between criminalists and latent fingerprint examiners, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a criminalist might have more use for skills like "laboratory reports," "body fluids," "quantitative analysis," and "perform dna." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of latent fingerprint examiners require skills like "fingerprint cards," "ncic," "iai," and "fingerprint identification. "
The average resume of latent fingerprint examiners showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to criminalists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 14.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.2%.Types of criminalist
Updated January 8, 2025
