Difference Between a Crime Scene Technician and a

Biohazard Technician

If you have ever watched a crime drama, you’ll recognize the people in white overalls who you see at the crime scenes. They are typically teams that respond to crime scenes, document the information, and use this to help solve crimes from burglaries to murders.

Yet while detectives might get most of the glory, these teams are composed of many different roles. Two of these roles are crime scene technicians and biohazard technicians. At first you might think these sound very similar, but in fact the work each team member does is completely different, if equally as vital.

What Does a Crime Scene Technician Do?

Often, it is the crime scene technicians who will enter a crime scene before anyone else. They are first responders who will accurately document everything they see upon first arrival, gather evidence, and categorize elements of the crime scene ready to be analyzed.

Crime scene technicians will work closely with law enforcement to ensure that no detail is missed, take pictures to document the scene, and compile reports about the state of the scene. They may even be able to compare crime scene data with database information to build a picture of what has happened.

What Skills Does a Crime Scene Technician Need?

Given the nature of gathering evidence, a crime scene technician needs to have acute attention to detail, as well as a great deal of patience. The process of organizing and combing a crime scene can be slow, and it takes a lot of effort to make sure not to disturb the scene in the process. They also need good analytical skills to piece together information, and good communication skills to communicate and report to law enforcement, and the forensic teams involved.

What Does a Biohazard Technician Do?

Unlike a crime scene technician, a biohazard technician is not a first responder—in fact, they are the opposite. A biohazard technician will only enter the crime scene after all the evidence has been discovered, processed and recorded.

Their job is to completely clear and clean up the scene, making sure that any biohazardous waste involved is disposed of safely and carefully. This isn’t just confined to crime scenes—if you were looking for intensive biohazard cleanup in Urbana, IL, for example, you would be looking for a biohazard technician rather than a crime scene technician.

What Skills Does a Biohazard Technician Need?

Though the job is very different, skills needed by a biohazard technician aren’t entirely different from a crime scene technician. Attention to detail and patience is absolutely key, as missing a small portion of biohazardous waste in cleanup could have very serious consequences. Biohazard technicians also need to be dedicated and willing to work at odd hours, as well as possess great communication skills to communicate and sympathize with various clients, given the potentially sensitive nature of biohazard clean-up sites.