Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians

How to become a Forensic Science Technician

Official title: Forensic Science Technicians

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, Forensic Specialist, Latent Print Examiner

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.

Main 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.

How to become one

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

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Crime Scene Technician.
College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 17 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $72,060 a year The middle half earn $57,830 to $94,520.
About 20,100 people work in this job now, and about 22,800 are projected by 2035. (+13.3%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Forensic Science Technician?

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

How much does a Forensic Science Technician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $72,060 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $57,830 to $94,520.

Is a Forensic Science Technician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 20,100 to about 22,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Forensic Science Technician?

Not always. 52% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Science degrees; Crime Scene Technician.

Will AI change the work of a Forensic Science Technician?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database 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.