Forensic specialist vs certified medical technician

The differences between forensic specialists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forensic specialist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a forensic specialist has an average salary of $51,653, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a forensic specialist include social work, encase and criminal justice. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Forensic specialist vs certified medical technician overview

	Forensic Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$51,653	$38,859
Hourly rate	$24.83	$18.68
Growth rate	11%	5%
Number of jobs	1,338	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	4	12

What does a forensic specialist do?

Forensic Specialists analyze and evaluate physical evidence using different analysis methods like chemical, instrumental, microscopic, and physical. They are sometimes required to work with blood and other biological fluids, hair, gunshot residue, etc. Forensic Specialist duties depend on their area of expertise. Some specialists spend their days in a lab; others spend their visiting crime scenes searching for evidence. No matter what specialization they're in, their core responsibilities are to collect, document, preserve, test, and report evidence that is then submitted to those in charge of the case.

What does a certified medical technician do?

Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.

Forensic specialist vs certified medical technician salary

Forensic specialists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$51,653	$38,859
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $79,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Santa Monica, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	QED Group	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between forensic specialist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a forensic specialist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Nursing
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Connecticut

Forensic specialist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between forensic specialists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Forensic Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between forensic specialist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Forensic specialist example responsibilities.

Manage use and maintenance of company vehicle, surveying equip., cameras, and firearms.
Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Secure and track any DNA evidence submit for testing.
Examine evidence for the presence of biological material and collect potential DNA samples.
Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Assess for risk of suicide, homicide, psychosis and other safety concerns.

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.

Forensic specialist vs certified medical technician skills

Common forensic specialist skills

Social Work, 10%
Encase, 8%
Criminal Justice, 8%
Mental Health, 6%
Digital Forensics, 5%
Forensic Interviews, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

Patients, 17%
Vital Signs, 12%
CPR, 8%
Administer Medications, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
HIPAA, 6%

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Forensic Specialist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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