They use a variety of sophisticated scientific techniques, depending on the type of evidence they are dealing with. In the laboratory, a forensic scientist's job is to analyze the evidence collected from crime scenes. They also attempt to reconstruct the crime scene to piece together what happened and help identify the perpetrator.

Then, they document their findings using photography, reports, or drawings and submit them to the laboratory for analysis. Those who work in the field collect evidence, such as fingerprints, DNA samples, fibers, explosives, bloodstains, and bodily fluids. Specialists from this branch use their skills in two primary environments, depending on their specialty: at the crime scene and the laboratory.

What Does a Forensic Scientist Do?įorensic science is the application of science to the criminal justice system. If you're interested in this career path, we've compiled a list of everything you need to know to get started. They work in various fields, including DNA, toxicology, ballistics, and handwriting analysis. They are professionals who use science to provide, document, and analyze evidence and investigate crime.

Working at the intersection of law and science, forensic scientists play a vital role in the criminal justice system. But what is it that a forensic scientist does with that data? We're all familiar with the image of a forensics team arriving at the crime scene, dusting for fingerprints, and collecting DNA samples.

What does a forensic scientist do