Forensic Science Technicians
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence.
Work Environment: Most laboratory forensic science technicians work during regular business hours. Crime scene investigators may work extended or unusual hours and travel to crime scenes within their jurisdiction.
How to Become One: Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a natural science, such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science. On-the-job training is generally required for both those who investigate crime scenes and those who work in labs.
Salary: The median annual wage for forensic science technicians is $61,930.
Job Outlook: Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 11 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of forensic science technicians with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a forensic science technician with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Forensic Science Jobs
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Physician Psychiatry-Forensic - Make up to $309,698/annually
- Korn Ferry
- Los Angeles, CA
Physician - Psychiatry- Forensic in Los Angeles, CA. DocCafe is the premier physician and advanced practice job board to help you advance your healthcare career. Register now to apply for this job and ...
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Physician Psychiatry-Forensic - Make up to $293,000/annually
- TEEMA
- Olympia, WA
Physician - Psychiatry- Forensic in Olympia, WA. DocCafe is the premier physician and advanced practice job board to help you advance your healthcare career. Register now to apply for this job and for ...
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Forensic Psychiatrist (Tacoma, WA)
- MDstaffers
- Tacoma, WA
Job Description The Forensic Psychiatrist is responsible for guiding the multi-disciplinary treatment teams dedicated to promoting recovery in an inpatient environment. The physician will provide ...
What Forensic Science Technicians Do[About this section] [To Top]
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.
Duties of Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians work in laboratories and on crime scenes. At crime scenes, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how
- Take photographs of the crime scene and evidence
- Make sketches of the crime scene
- Record observations and findings, such as the location and position of evidence
- Collect evidence, including weapons, fingerprints, and bodily fluids
- Catalog and preserve evidence for transfer to crime labs
- Reconstruct crime scenes
In laboratories, forensic science technicians typically do the following:
- Perform chemical, biological, and microscopic analyses on evidence taken from crime scenes
- Explore possible links between suspects and criminal activity, using the results of DNA or other scientific analyses
- Consult with experts in specialized fields, such as toxicology (the study of poisons and their effect on the body) and odontology (a branch of forensic medicine that concentrates on teeth)
Forensic science technicians may be generalists who perform many or all of the duties listed above or they may specialize in certain techniques and sciences. Generalist forensic science technicians, sometimes called criminalists or crime scene investigators, collect evidence at the scene of a crime and perform scientific and technical analysis in laboratories or offices.
Forensic science technicians who work primarily in laboratories may specialize in the natural sciences or engineering. These workers, such as forensic biologists and forensic chemists, typically use chemicals and laboratory equipment such as microscopes when analyzing evidence. They also may use computers to examine DNA, substances, and other evidence collected at crime scenes. They often work to match evidence to people or other known elements, such as vehicles or weapons. Most forensic science technicians who perform laboratory analysis specialize in a specific type of evidence, such as DNA or ballistics.
Some forensic science technicians, called forensic computer examiners or digital forensics analysts, specialize in computer-based crimes. They collect and analyze data to uncover and prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identity theft. The abundance of digital data helps them solve crimes in the physical world as well. Computer forensics technicians must adhere to the same strict standards of evidence gathering found in general forensic science because legal cases depend on the integrity of evidence.
All forensic science technicians prepare written reports that detail their findings and investigative methods. They must be able to explain their reports to lawyers, detectives, and other law enforcement officials. In addition, forensic science technicians may be called to testify in court about their findings and methods.
Work Environment for Forensic Science Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Forensic science technicians hold about 17,600 jobs. The largest employers of forensic science technicians are as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 62% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 27% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 3% |
| Testing laboratories | 3% |
Forensic science technicians may have to work outside in all types of weather, spend many hours in laboratories and offices, or do some combination of both. They often work with specialists and other law enforcement personnel. Many specialist forensic science technicians work only in laboratories.
Crime scene investigators may travel throughout their jurisdictions, which may be cities, counties, or states.
Forensic Science Technician Work Schedules
Crime scene investigators may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because they must always be available to collect or analyze evidence. Technicians working in laboratories usually work a standard workweek, although they may have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a case.
How to Become a Forensic Science Technician[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Forensic Science Technicians near you!
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science, such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science. On-the-job training is usually required both for those who investigate crime scenes and for those who work in labs.
Education for Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree in a natural science, such as chemistry or biology, or in forensic science. Forensic science programs may specialize in a specific area of study, such as toxicology, pathology, or DNA. Students who enroll in general natural science programs should make an effort to take classes related to forensic science. A list of schools that offer degrees in forensic science is available from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Many of those who seek to become forensic science technicians will have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences and a master's degree in forensic science.
Many crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers and have met educational requirements necessary for admittance into a police academy. Applicants for civilian crime scene investigator jobs should have a bachelor's degree in either forensic science, with a strong basic science background, or the natural sciences. For more information on police officers, see the profile on police and detectives.
Forensic Science Technician Training
Forensic science technicians receive on-the-job training before they are ready to work on cases independently.
Newly hired crime scene investigators may work under experienced investigators while they learn proper procedures and methods for collecting and documenting evidence.
Forensic science technicians learn laboratory specialties on the job. The length of this training varies by specialty, but is usually less than a year. Technicians may need to pass a proficiency exam or otherwise be approved by a laboratory or accrediting body before they are allowed to perform independent casework.
Throughout their careers, forensic science technicians need to keep up with advances in technology and science that improve the collection or analysis of evidence.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Forensic Science Technicians
A range of licenses and certifications is available to help credential, and aid in the professional development of, many types of forensic science technicians. Certifications and licenses are not typically necessary for entry into the occupation. Credentials can vary widely because standards and regulations vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another.
Important Qualities for Forensic Science Technicians
Communication skills. Forensic science technicians write reports and testify in court. They often work with other law enforcement officials and specialists.
Critical-thinking skills. Forensic science technicians use their best judgment when matching physical evidence, such as fingerprints and DNA, to suspects.
Detail oriented. Forensic science technicians must be able to notice small changes in mundane objects to be good at collecting and analyzing evidence.
Math and science skills. Forensic science technicians need a solid understanding of statistics and natural sciences to be able to analyze evidence.
Problem-solving skills. Forensic science technicians use scientific tests and methods to help law enforcement officials solve crimes.
Forensic Science Technician Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for forensic science technicians is $61,930. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,670, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $103,430.
The median annual wages for forensic science technicians in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | $64,250 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $61,930 |
| Testing laboratories | $49,900 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | $36,570 |
Crime scene investigators may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because they must always be available to collect or analyze evidence. Technicians working in laboratories usually work a standard workweek, although they may have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a case.
Job Outlook for Forensic Science Technicians[About this section] [To Top]
Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 11 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,500 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Forensic Science Technicians
Because this is a small occupation, its fast growth is expected to result in only about 2,000 new jobs over the decade.
State and local governments are expected to hire additional forensic science technicians to process their high caseloads. Additionally, scientific and technological advances are expected to increase the availability, reliability, and usefulness of objective forensic information used as evidence in trials. As a result, more forensic science technicians will be needed to provide forensics information to law enforcement agencies and courts.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Forensic science technicians | 17,600 | 19,600 | 11 | 2,000 |
More Forensic Science Technician Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about forensic science technicians and related specialists, visit
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Board of Criminalistics
American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.