Forensic Science Technicians

Summary

What Forensic Science Technicians Do About this section

Crime scene technicians collect evidence from crime scenes.

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Technicians often specialize in either crime scene or laboratory analysis.

Duties

Forensic science technicians work at crime scenes or in laboratories. At crime scenes, forensic science technicians typically do the following:

• Analyze crime scenes to determine what evidence should be collected and how
• Take photographs and 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
• Examine results of DNA analyses of biological substances, such as hair and skin cells, and other evidence for their significance to investigations
• 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)
• Prepare technical reports, including statistical analyses of forensic evidence 
• Operate, maintain, and clean laboratory facilities and equipment

Many forensic science technicians do most or all of the duties described above. Others may specialize in certain techniques and sciences. For example, a technician who specializes in ballistics evidence may compare spent cartridge cases collected at a crime scene with digital images in a national database, referring potential matches to a forensic scientist for confirmation.

Forensic science technicians who collect and store evidence from the scene of a crime are sometimes called crime scene technicians. They photograph and document the scene and search for fingerprints or DNA evidence. They must take care to store evidence in a way that preserves its integrity and are responsible for the evidence chain of custody.

Forensic science technicians who work primarily in laboratories use chemicals and equipment, such as microscopes, to analyze evidence. They also may use computers to examine DNA and other evidence collected at crime scenes and match that evidence to people or other known elements, such as vehicles or weapons. These forensic science technicians also organize and monitor the laboratory.

Regardless of their usual work environment, forensic science technicians prepare written reports of their findings and investigative methods. They must be able to explain details from 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.

Other workers who analyze crime scenes and criminal evidence include police and detectives and digital forensics analysts.

Work Environment About this section

Forensic science technicians often work in crime labs.

Forensic science technicians held about 18,600 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of forensic science technicians were as follows:

Forensic science technicians may spend some time in an office setting. Some have to work outside in all types of weather, and others may spend many hours in laboratories.

Crime scene technicians may travel throughout their jurisdictions.

Work Schedules

Most forensic science technicians work full time. Crime scene technicians may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because someone must be available at all times to collect or analyze evidence. Technicians working in laboratories may work a standard workweek, although they might 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

Forensic science technicians usually have a background in natural sciences.

Forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They may need on-the-job training to attain competency.

Education

Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. An associate’s degree may be sufficient for some positions. Fields of study may include physical science, biology, or forensic science. Forensic science programs may specialize in a specific area of study, such as toxicology, pathology, or DNA. A list of schools that offer degrees in forensic science is available from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Some crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers and have met the educational requirements necessary for admittance into a police academy. For more information on police officers, see the profile on police and detectives.

Training

Forensic science technicians receive on-the-job training before they are ready to work on cases independently.

Newly hired crime scene technicians may be supervised by experienced workers, who instruct them in procedures 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.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

A range of licenses and certifications is available to forensic science technicians. These credentials typically are not required to enter the occupation but may demonstrate that candidates have a specific skill. For example, the International Association for Identification offers optional crime scene analyst certification.

To perform independent casework, technicians may need to pass a proficiency exam through their state government or otherwise be approved by a laboratory or accrediting body. Proficiency exams may test reading and writing comprehension, laboratory science topics, and pattern recognition skills.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Forensic science technicians must be able to evaluate evidence gathered at the scene of a crime and draw conclusions about what happened.

Communication skills. Forensic science technicians write reports and testify in court. They also must be able to convey details about their analyses to law enforcement officials and other specialists.

Detail oriented. Forensic science technicians must be precise in describing or recording specific features of evidence.

Math skills. Forensic science technicians need a solid understanding of statistics to be able to apply data when interpreting evidence.

Problem-solving skills. Forensic science technicians must be able to use scientific tests and methods to help law enforcement officials solve crimes.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for forensic science technicians was $64,940 in May 2023. 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 $41,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,490.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for forensic science technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most forensic science technicians work full time. Crime scene technicians may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because someone must be available at all times to collect or analyze evidence. Technicians working in laboratories may work a standard workweek, although they might have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a case.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 2,700 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

State and local governments are expected to continue to hire 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.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Forensic science technicians

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about forensic science technicians and related specialists, visit

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

American Board of Criminalistics

Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners

International Association for Identification

International Crime Scene Investigators Association

CareerOneStop

For a career video on forensic science technicians, visit

Forensic science technicians

O*NET

Forensic Science Technicians