Criminalist

• A criminalist works in a law enforcement forensic laboratory performing a variety of forensic science duties. The criminalist is a generalist position that works for law enforcement, analyzing evidence and preparing reports in all areas of crime scene investigation. Criminalists perform a variety of duties in the analysis of evidence from a crime scene.
  
  

DNA Typing

• A student with a background in forensic science may work in a laboratory specializing in DNA typing. The professional scientist converts DNA material into a bar code that allows science to make identification. Forensic scientists may work in a law enforcement laboratory or in a private clinic, providing services to patients. DNA typing can provide identification in criminal cases, missing persons cases and when the paternity of a child is in question.
  
  

Trace Evidence Analyst

• Forensic scientists may specialize in trace evidence analysis and work for law enforcement agencies. Scientists who work in this area of forensic science identify tiny amounts of material collected from crime scenes. Trace evidence occurs when two objects interact with each other. For example, clothing fibers can be left behind at a crime scene by the perpetrator of the crime. The scientist identifies the material, which investigators can use to connect a suspect to a crime.
  
  

Fingerprint Analyst

• Forensic scientists also can specialize in fingerprint analysis. Latent print analysts are experts in comparing fingerprints collected from crime scenes to fingerprints in the law enforcement database. A fingerprint analyst works in a law enforcement laboratory to assist crime investigators identify criminals and solve crimes.