Criminal Profiler

Criminal profilers are difficult to find outside of TV. In real life, they’re usually known as forensic science technicians – and they’re more concerned with evidence collection and scientific analysis.

Forensic science technicians generally don’t confront criminals or carry guns. Their jobs are about providing the evidence that helps law enforcement to investigate and prosecute crimes. They carefully preserve elements of a crime scene and monitor the chain of custody as evidence is collected, analyzed and archived.

Criminal Profiler Job Description

Forensic science technicians specialize in painstaking and detailed laboratory work. Primarily they are in charge of testing crime scene evidence in order to determine how it fits into the overall investigation. They typically accomplish some or all of the following tasks:

• DNA testing
• Firearm and weapons examination
• Testing physical substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids
• Preparing detailed reports on their findings and all lab techniques used
• Testifying in court as expert witnesses on lab findings

Criminal Profiler Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median yearly wages of forensic science technicians were $51,480 in May of 2009. The middle 50% earned between $40,340 and $66,240. Meanwhile the lowest 10% of forensic science technicians earned less than $32,420 while the top 90% earned more than $84,260.