Final answer:
A forensic scientist is responsible for collecting and analyzing physical evidence, including weapons with fingerprints, at a murder scene. They compare DNA and other biological evidence against databases to help identify the murderer and are required to have specialized education in science.
Step-by-step explanation:
At a murder scene, the individual needed to collect all physical evidence and analyze the weapon, which has fingerprints on it, is a forensic scientist. Forensic scientists are responsible for examining trace materials associated with crimes, including the analysis of fingerprints on weapons. Their role involves analyzing biological samples, comparing DNA content with databases of known criminals, and handling evidence such as firearms. They are also qualified to testify in court regarding their findings.
Forensic scientists typically hold at least a bachelor's degree in fields such as chemistry, biology, or physics. Their meticulous work at crime scenes plays a crucial role in identifying the murderer and involves various types of scientific analyses, including DNA profiling, which is one of the most definitive techniques used in linking a suspect to a crime.