Forensic Analyst Job Description Example

Forensic Analyst Job Description Example

What Does a Forensic Analyst Do?

If you are interested in a career as a forensic analyst, then, knowledge of the job description and skills required of a forensic analyst will guide you in preparing yourself for the career.

Forensic analysts are usually scientists with specialization in one or more branches of pure science.

Their major duty is to assist detectives and other law enforcement agents in unraveling crime.

Forensic analysts assist crime scene investigators in examining and analyzing physical evidence like blood, hairs, fingerprints and firearms retrieved from crime scenes.

They may also be responsible for visiting crime scenes to collect evidence or carry out field tests.

These professionals are also expected to carefully record and document findings obtained on any evidence tested.

After each analysis, the forensic analyst’s role may also entail preparing a detailed report highlighting the findings and conclusions.

They are often interviewed by judges and detectives to ascertain the likely causes of a crime, as well as appear in court to state findings.

They may also advice crime scene investigators and police officers on how to go about crime investigations so that they will achieve good result.

Working as a forensic analyst requires a great deal of tact and carefulness.

They are often exposed to blood samples, body fluids, and chemicals, which could be hazardous or health implicating.

So, Forensic analysts are expected to follow safety procedures strictly.

The work description of a forensic analyst also involves spending prolonged hours in the laboratory conducting tests on evidence and little time at crime scenes retrieving physical evidence.

So, to enjoy a successful career in this position, you need to be good at research work, conducting tests and reporting results.

Forensic analysts are also expected to be observant with keen eye for details.

To be given a role as a forensic analyst, you must obtain a Bachelor’s degree in any of the natural sciences.

It is very important that the degree is obtained from an institution accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) so that topics like: Theories of Crime, DNA Analysis, Research Methods, Forensic Processing, and Statistical Analysis are built into the curriculum.

Effective team work and good communication skills are also very important qualities expected of forensic analyst.

Forensic Analyst Job Description Example

Forensic analysts perform various functions. The following job description example shows the major tasks, duties, and responsibilities usually performed working in the position:

• Examine and analyze physical evidence retrieved from crime scenes
• Visit crime scenes to collect evidence or conduct field test
• Record and document findings obtained from testing physical evidence
• Prepare detailed reports about findings from tests conducted
• Educate and advice detectives and the jury on how to go about crime investigation and judgment
• Work with other law enforcement agents and analysts to arrive at valid conclusions on the outcome of tests
• Ensure that laboratory tools and equipment are properly cleaned and maintained
• Ensure that safety procedures are strictly followed during examination of evidence
• Appear as expert witness in court or to explain test results.

Forensic Analyst Resume Preparation

When seeking a new forensic analyst job, most employers will ask for your resume, which should contain information about your job experience.

To provide such information quickly and effectively, you can adopt the sample job description content provided above.

The duties and responsibilities contained in the above work description are quite suitable for creating the job experience section of a resume for seeking the forensic analyst job.

Requirements – Abilities, Knowledge, and Skills – for Forensic Analyst Role

Below are major skills and qualities commonly required by employers that applicants for the position of forensic analyst should meet when recruiting for new hands:

• Tact and carefulness: To avoid infections and injuries, a forensic analyst must be careful when carrying out his or her duties
• Stamina: He/she must have the stamina to spend prolonged hours conducting tests, recording results, and documenting findings/conclusions
• Education: To be employed as a forensic analyst, Bachelor’s degree in any of the natural sciences is necessary. More important is the fact that the certificate must be obtained from a reputed institution accredited by FEPAC
• Strong research and reporting skills: Working as a forensic analyst involves a great deal of research, investigation and report preparation. So, passion for research and reporting are important to success in this field
• Communication and team work skills: A forensic analyst must be an excellent communicator. He/she should be able to communicate effectively with and to other law enforcement agents orally and through writing. He/she should also be able to relate well and co-operate with other law enforcement agents so as to make his/her job and those of others easy
• Attentive and observant: He/she must be observant with keen eye for details since the job revolves around conducting tests and analyzing the results
• Impartial and trustworthy: A forensic analyst must be an honest and impartial individual. He/ she must at all time present test results without bias, and analyze such results based on best practices.

Forensic Analyst Skills for Resume

The skills section of your forensic analyst resume can be made, and stronger too, by highlighting the required qualities shown above, which you have acquired, in your resume.

For the fact that these are the skills and qualities most employers of forensic analyst usually require, highlighting them in your resume will certainly make it a lot more appealing to employers.

Conclusion

The forensic analyst job description shared above will enable you to know the scope of the functions of the position and so prepare your mind for what to expect working in the occupation, if that is where you choose to make a career.

An employer looking to hire a new forensic analyst will also find the work description provided above useful in the recruitment process, as well as in designing an effective job description for their staff.

Did our forensic analyst job description increase your knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of the role? Please make your comment in the box below.