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Forensic Science Technician

Also called: Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Criminalist, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Forensic Scientist

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.

No four-year degree needed Bright outlook Science & engineering support
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Median pay
$72,060/yr
Typical range
$48,250 – $117,250
Outlook
Bright outlook

What does a Forensic Science Technician do?

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.

  • 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.

How to become a Forensic Science Technician

Training: A certificate after high school or a high school diploma or GED. Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Skills you'll use

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questionsReading work related informationNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve itThinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best oneFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Is it a fit for you?

  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self-Control
  • Intellectual Curiosity
  • Cautiousness
  • Integrity

Tools and technology

Adobe PhotoshopGraphics softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft AccessNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) database

Questions people ask

How much does a Forensic Science Technician make?

About $72,060 a year at the U.S. median. Most earn between $48,250 and $117,250. Pay depends on the state, the employer and experience.

How long does it take to become a Forensic Science Technician?

Employees in these careers need one or two years of training. Both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers may be needed. An apprenticeship program may be a good choice for these careers.

Do you need a college degree to be a Forensic Science Technician?

No four-year degree is needed. A certificate after high school or a high school diploma or GED.

Is Forensic Science Technician a good career to get into?

O*NET lists it as a Bright Outlook career: it's expected to grow quickly or have lots of openings in the next few years.

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National wage figures via O*NET Web Services. This application incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Figures are national estimates and vary by state, employer and experience. Career details from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

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