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Forensic Laboratory Analyst

Forensic laboratory analysts use scientific principles and technologies to analyze, identify, compare, classify, and interpret physical evidence submitted by police and related agencies.

Also Known As

Biological Sciences Technician / Technologist, Biological Scientist, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Investigator, Laboratory Technician / Technologist, Physical Sciences Technician / Technologist, Physical Scientist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

  • 2006 NOC: Chemical Technologists (2211.1) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Chemical Technologists and Technicians (C111) 
  • 2011 NOC: Chemical technologists and technicians (2211) 
  • 2016 NOC: Chemical technologists and technicians (2211) 
  • 2021 NOC: Chemical technologists and technicians (22100) 
Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Chemical Technologists

2006 NOC: 2211.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in precision working to operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus, to operate chemical and petrochemical pilot plants, and to conduct air and water quality testing and assessments

INNOVATIVE

Interest in analyzing data to develop and conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates and products

METHODICAL

Interest in supervising to oversee environmental monitoring and protection activities and compliance with standards; in assisting in the development of chemical engineering processes, standards, procedures and health and safety measures; in assisting in studies of chemical engineering procurement, construction, inspection and maintenance; and in preparing solutions of gas and liquid, reagents and sample formulations

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Forensic laboratory analysts examine physical evidence to:

  • Locate and identify trace evidence
  • Determine whether evidence can identify or exclude a suspect
  • Decide whether evidence will influence the direction of an investigation

Their duties vary depending on their areas of expertise:

  • Analysts in the biology section identify biological materials (for example, blood, skin, and hair) and develop DNA typing profiles.
  • Analysts in the trace evidence section recover non-biological trace evidence in clothing or in samples from crime scenes. They then identify them or compare them to other materials.
  • Analysts in the firearms section determine whether an ammunition component has been loaded into, or fired from, a particular firearm. They also:
    • Assess the mechanical condition and legal status of firearms
    • Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths
    • Restore serial numbers
    • Determine whether a tool mark impression was made by a given tool
  • Analysts in the questioned documents section check the authenticity of bank notes, traveller’s cheques and other negotiable instruments. They analyze handwritten and machine-produced documents to decipher altered or obliterated text or determine authorship, age, or source.
  • Analysts in the toxicology section analyze body fluids such as blood and urine for alcohol and other volatiles. They:
    • Identify and quantify drugs and poisons in biological fluids and tissues
    • Analyze suspicious powders and food
    • Interpret the pharmacological effects of a drug or combination of drugs on an individual

Forensic laboratory analysts work as either scientists or technologists. In general, scientists in all sections:

  • Plan and supervise experiments, tests and analyses
  • Interpret results
  • Advise others in law enforcement
  • Prepare written reports
  • Update databases
  • Develop new technologies
  • Validate new techniques
  • Train staff members and external clients
  • Testify in criminal court cases about the significance of physical evidence

In general, technologists in all sections conduct tests and examinations and take part in in-house research. They also:

  • Generate test results and analyze preliminary findings
  • Set up, operate and maintain instrumentation
  • Install new hardware and use computer applications for:
    • Controlling instruments
    • Handling samples
    • Manipulating data
  • Validate new procedures
  • Train staff members and others
  • Maintain the laboratory’s inventory of supplies and equipment
  • Testify in criminal court cases regarding laboratory procedures and methods

Forensic laboratory analysts receive and analyze materials from crime scenes. They present and discuss the results with police investigators, lawyers, and medical practitioners.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Forensic laboratory analysts often work in teams. Sometimes, they perform part of an analysis before passing a case to another analyst. Overtime may be required when there are high volumes of work. Specialists travel to testify in criminal proceedings and other hearings.

Analysts employed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) may be transferred to other lab locations and must be prepared to travel.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Forensic laboratory analysts need:

  • Integrity
  • No criminal record
  • Communication skills
  • Clear thinking (for example, to provide courtroom testimony in plain language and undergo cross-examination)
  • Attention to detail
  • Time-management and organizational skills
  • Analytic ability and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team

They should enjoy using tools, instruments, and equipment to perform precision tasks. They should be comfortable with analyzing information, solving problems, and supervising the work of others.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Chemical technologists and technicians

2016 NOC: 2211

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 28 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 18, 2021 and Mar 09, 2023.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests and analyses
Other benefits: Free parking available
Assist in set up and conduction of chemical experiments
Assist in developing and conducting sampling and analysis
Prepare solution of gas or liquid, reagents, and sample formulations
Assist in developing and conducting sampling and analysis
Area of Specialization: Analytical chemistry
Compile records and interpret experimental or analytical results
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

The minimum academic requirement for scientists in most of the discipline areas is a 4-year degree in physical, life, or forensic sciences. Specific degree and course requirements vary depending on the employer and type of work. For example, some positions require a degree in a chemical or physical science, or mechanical engineering. Other positions require more specific qualifications. These may include an honours bachelor of science degree in a field such as forensic science, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or population genetics and statistics.

The minimum academic requirement for technologists is a post-secondary diploma or degree in physical, life, or forensic sciences. Some positions require a 3-year diploma or specific courses.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Outside of Alberta, the following post-secondary schools offer programs directly related to forensic science:

After they are hired, specialists and technologists must complete in-house training programs before doing any casework. Training programs for specialists range in length from 9 months to 2 years or more. Training programs for technologists take up to 18 months to complete.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Forensic laboratory analysts are employed by:

  • The RCMP (in Edmonton, Ottawa, and Vancouver)
  • Canada Revenue Agency (Ottawa)
  • The provincial governments of Ontario (Toronto and Sault St. Marie) and Quebec (Montreal)
  • A small number of private forensic laboratories

In Alberta, the Medical Examiner’s Office is responsible for performing autopsies and does toxicological work in cases where no foul play is suspected. The RCMP does all other forensic laboratory work (except in Ontario and Quebec).

Advancement usually takes the form of scheduled pay increases and increased responsibility for one or more types of analysis. Experienced forensic laboratory analysts may be promoted to supervisory positions.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Forensic laboratory analysts are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2211: Chemical technologists and technicians.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Chemical technologists and technicians

2016 NOC: 2211
Average Wage
$42.15
Per Hour
Average Salary
$81,510.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 2211 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $18.50 $50.24 $34.14 $35.90
Overall $20.52 $63.59 $42.15 $41.28
Top $21.08 $86.31 $46.60 $43.73

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

Manufacturing
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
19%
19%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
5%
5%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Engineering and Science Technologies
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019

American Academy of Forensic Sciences website: www.aafs.org

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners website: www.acfe.com

Canadian Society of Forensic Science website: www.csfs.ca

Royal Canadian Mounted Police website, Forensic Science and Identification Services section: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Technology Alberta website: technologyalberta.com

The Chartered Society of Forensic Science website: www.csofs.org

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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