How Much Do Blood Stain Analysts Make in Their First Year?
For all you crime show buffs, bloodstain analysis (AKA blood spatter analysis) may be a familiar occupation. A field of forensic science, bloodstain analysis is not a technique that's made for TV. Rather, it’s a real, viable career option, and an important area of law enforcement, namely in departments that deal with homicide and violent crime.
Bloodstain pattern analysts inspect blood left behind at crime scenes in any quantity. The amount of blood can be anywhere from a small amount in the form of a trail or print to a large quantity of blood. An analyst may employ several techniques in order to collect evidence from the scene to process and analyze it at the lab. General techniques might involve taking photographs, using swabs and ultraviolet light at the scene and recreating splatter in the lab. The job also requires detailed reporting using computer simulation and analysis. Reporting findings to colleagues, law enforcement professionals and court officials is also an important component of the job. Bloodstain pattern analysts have the ability to confirm or refute – based on their analysis – assumptions related to the crime or statements made by suspects and witnesses.
Bloodstain analysts need to have a thorough understanding of the properties of blood and human anatomy, especially as it pertains to arterial flow and the behavior of blood before and after it exits the body. Math and environmental science are also important parts of a bloodstain analyst’s occupation.
Generally, the education required for entry-level careers in forensic science is a bachelor’s degree in a natural science: chemistry, biology, forensic science. Candidates without a bachelor’s degree may still be able to qualify for analyst jobs with an associate’s degree and job-related experience. On-the-job training is usually required before the analyst can work cases independently.
Classes in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program to prepare for the job include: biology, anatomy, criminology and statistical analysis. In a specialized program, these classes will be a prerequisite for other classes on blood and pattern behavior. These classes may help future bloodstain analysts figure out details such as the type of weapon used in a crime or the location and movement of the victim and suspect.
Bloodstain analysts continue to take classes throughout their career to constantly update their skills and knowledge.
In order to become a bloodstain analyst, you must:
- Get the education and experience needed for the job
- Apply for a position as a bloodstain analyst
- Pass a background check
- Take and pass a drug test
- Be interviewed for the position
- Get hired as a bloodstain analyst
- Get job training, once hired
Once hired, bloodstain analysts will often work closely with a more experienced analyst before working alone. While training for the job, taking photography and sketch classes may also be helpful.
Many bloodstain analysts work in local and state crime laboratories associated with law enforcement agencies. A number of agencies require bloodstain analysts to perform additional forensic duties. The job often entails working long irregular hours and spending time around potentially dangerous materials, like bodily fluids carrying diseases. Blood splatter experts may go on to work in the private sector as contractors or experts for private attorneys.
Years of Experience and Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that forensic science technicians made an average of $61,220 in 2017 and earned a midpoint, or median salary of $57,850. A starting blood spatter analyst salary is around $42,000 a year.
Job Growth Trend
Employment of forensic science technicians (which includes blood spatter analyst jobs) is predicted to grow 17 percent until 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Because it is a small occupation, the job growth will result in only about 2,600 new jobs in a 10-year period. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that open positions in forensic science will be very competitive.
Caroline is a writer from NYC. Her work has appeared in Marie Claire, The Huffington Post, Elle.com and Work.Chron. She writes the bimonthly newsletter for business school, Hautes Études Commercials Paris, highlighting the latest business trends and profiling some of the biggest names in business today.