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What does a typical day look like as a Forensic Science Technician?

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Research & DevelopmentGrowingBright Outlook

Forensic Science Technician

Operational-level

Also known as: Ballistician, Ballistics Technician (Ballistics Tech), Biometric Fingerprint Technician (Biometric Fingerprint Tech), Biometric Fingerprinting Technician (Biometric Fingerprinting Tech)

Research & DevelopmentBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.
Forensic ScienceEvidence AnalysisCrime Scene InvestigationCriminalisticsScientific ResearchAnalytical ScienceLaw EnforcementResearchSTEMBeauty

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the Metro Police Department Crime Lab, the fluorescent lights already buzzing. Your morning starts by shedding your jacket and checking your LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) queue for new evidence submissions. Several emails also demand your attention – updates on pending cases, a request for a follow-up analysis, and a reminder about upcoming court testimony. You mentally prioritize, grabbing a fresh pair of nitrile gloves, ready to dive into the day's first critical task.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Adobe PhotoshopLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Word
In-demand software
Guidance Software EnCase EnterpriseMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPoint

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+13.3%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

2,800

per year (US)

Jobs today

20,100

in 2025 → 22,800 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Moderate
Working outdoors
High
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career is experiencing rapid growth, with about 2,800 openings projected each year through 2035. The median annual wage for this role is around $72,060. You might begin your career as a lab assistant or evidence clerk, and with experience, you could advance to positions like Forensic Scientist or Crime Lab Manager.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Crime Scene Investigator Assistant
  • Lab Assistant (Biology/Chemistry)
  • Evidence Clerk

Where it can lead

  • Forensic Scientist
  • Criminalist
  • Crime Lab Manager

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly enhance forensic science by automating evidence processing, improving pattern recognition, and speeding up data analysis from DNA to ballistics. This could free technicians to focus on complex interpretation and expert testimony rather than routine tasks. However, it also demands new skills in interacting with AI tools and validating their outputs.

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Salary

$72,060

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Forensic Science and Technology

Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years

Forensic Science and Technology

Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years

Criminalistics and Criminal Science

Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years

Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist

Bachelor • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 4 years

Healthcare Assistance

Vocational • Healthcare & Life Sciences • 1 year

Human Resources

Vocational • Social Sciences • 3 years

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