Science
Forensic science technician
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Median pay
$72,060
Growth to 2035
+13%
faster than average
Openings a year
2,800
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Forensic science technician
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Forensic science technician: 48% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Also called: Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst) · Crime Scene Analyst (CSA) · Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech) · Criminalist · CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) · Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech) · Forensic Science Examiner · Forensic Scientist
Outlook and AI
Forensic science technicians held 20,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 22,800 by 2035 (+13%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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