Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Forensic Science Technician 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
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. 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.
Training
to attain competency.
Licenses, Certifications & 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. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. 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.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,800 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. Forensic Science Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Forensic science technicians 13% Life, physical, and social science technicians 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Forensic Science Technicians Do
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
Work Environment
Forensic science technicians held about 20,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of forensic science technicians were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 64% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 27 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 2 |
| Testing laboratories and services | 2 |
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about forensic science technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.