What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Forensic Science Technicians in the U.S. earn more than $72,060 a year — the middle 80% land between $48,250 and $117,250. About 19,120 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Forensic Science Technicians”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$72,060typical pay / year
19,120people in this work
$117,250+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing3
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the October 12 kitchen scene from the case file: map each displaced item, photograph measured…
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the October 12 kitchen scene from the case file: map each displaced item, photograph measured positions, draft a scaled scene diagram showing trajectories and point-of-origin estimates, then email the diagram and notes to Detective Morales by Tuesday morning.
The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDjob descriptionsO*NET
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Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Examine the bloodstain patterns from living room carpet sample B: document stain morphology, measure impact…
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Examine the bloodstain patterns from living room carpet sample B: document stain morphology, measure impact angles and cast-off arcs, reconstruct likely positions of victim and assailant, and attach annotated photos with the report for the homicide file.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Visiojob descriptionsO*NET
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Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Run presumptive and confirmatory tests on the fragments labeled Weapon 3 and powder residue: swab, extract,…
Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Run presumptive and confirmatory tests on the fragments labeled Weapon 3 and powder residue: swab, extract, run chemical assays and microscopic comparisons, log results with serial numbers, and forward findings to the ballistics unit by tomorrow afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Move1
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform the monthly calibration and preventive maintenance on the gas chromatograph and stereomicroscope:…
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform the monthly calibration and preventive maintenance on the gas chromatograph and stereomicroscope: follow calibration checklist, record before-and-after performance metrics, replace worn consumables, and upload the completed maintenance log to the lab supervisor by Friday.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my expert witness packet for the June 2 hearing: assemble chain-of-custody, methodology write-up,…
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my expert witness packet for the June 2 hearing: assemble chain-of-custody, methodology write-up, annotated exhibits, and a concise testimony outline, then send the packet and exhibit list to Prosecutor Ramos with delivery confirmation three days before court.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, eye protection, and a disposable lab coat, check glove integrity and fit, confirm mask…
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, eye protection, and a disposable lab coat, check glove integrity and fit, confirm mask seals, stow personal items in locker, and log start time in the lab register before handling questioned documents or chemical reagents.
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Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up sequence, load the manufacturer calibration standard, record readings at three set…
Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up sequence, load the manufacturer calibration standard, record readings at three set points, adjust the instrument until readings fall within tolerance, and save the calibration report to the equipment folder with technician initials.
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Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train two new technicians this week on document examination fundamentals: demonstrate safe sample prep and…
Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train two new technicians this week on document examination fundamentals: demonstrate safe sample prep and calibration routines, run hands-on sessions with the microspectrometer and impression casting, supervise their protective-gear checks, and sign off competence by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review the three recent forensic reports for technical merit: verify methods used for sample prep and…
Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review the three recent forensic reports for technical merit: verify methods used for sample prep and equipment calibration, confirm measurements and chain-of-custody entries, note any unsupported conclusions and return each report with required revisions by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the questioned items and impression marks from case 24-197: photograph and scale the impressions,…
Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the questioned items and impression marks from case 24-197: photograph and scale the impressions, side-by-side overlay the class and individual characteristics, record measurement differences and prepare a comparison summary for the investigator by Thursday.
The tools that do the workAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
+Inspect the recovered firearm for mechanical condition and legal indicators: document serial number…
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
+Inspect the recovered firearm for mechanical condition and legal indicators: document serial number visibility, perform controlled restoration to reveal obliterated markings, test mechanical function safely, and file a condition and legal-status report to the firearms investigator within three days.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordAdobe PhotoshopO*NET
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Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create photographic and sketch documentation for case 24-206: capture scaled macro photos of questioned…
Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create photographic and sketch documentation for case 24-206: capture scaled macro photos of questioned documents and evidence, produce labeled field sketches showing document damage and sample locations, and deliver a print-ready documentation packet to the lead examiner by Monday.
The tools that do the workAdobe PhotoshopMicrosoft Visiojob descriptions
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Operate digital media analysis tools
+Operate the digital media analysis tools on the seized storage devices: image drives with verified hashing,…
Operate digital media analysis tools
+Operate the digital media analysis tools on the seized storage devices: image drives with verified hashing, run keyword and metadata extraction, compile recovered file lists and timelines, and hand the forensic image and report to the case agent by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Observe laboratory activities
+Sit with the microscopy team during the Tuesday shift, watch each analyst perform document ink and paper…
Observe laboratory activities
+Sit with the microscopy team during the Tuesday shift, watch each analyst perform document ink and paper handling, note deviations from standard sampling technique, log times and personnel, and flag any unsafe handling or missing protective gear to Jamie by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Support life science professionals
+Join Dr. Morales and her molecular team for the Wednesday run, assist by prepping their requested document…
Support life science professionals
+Join Dr. Morales and her molecular team for the Wednesday run, assist by prepping their requested document fragments and sealing them in evidence sleeves, confirm calibrations on the measuring rigs before they start, and hand over labeled samples with a signed checklist.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCO
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Record test sequences
+During the Thursday batch, record the full test sequence for each document—sample ID, operator, equipment…
Record test sequences
+During the Thursday batch, record the full test sequence for each document—sample ID, operator, equipment used, parameter settings, start and end times—and save the sequence log as a timestamped file and back it up to the case folder.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordESCO
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Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare the questioned documents for the Friday analysis: photograph each item, cut and mount a tiny fragment…
Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare the questioned documents for the Friday analysis: photograph each item, cut and mount a tiny fragment where needed, label mounts with unique IDs, place fragments into sterile vials, and complete the sample preparation sheet before handing to the analyst.
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Laboratory techniques
+Run the calibration checks on the spectrometer and micrometer before the Monday session, document zero and…
Laboratory techniques
+Run the calibration checks on the spectrometer and micrometer before the Monday session, document zero and span readings, replace a worn probe if it fails tolerance, and write the maintenance note so the analyst team sees the equipment is within spec.
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Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Operate the densitometer for the Friday comparison: set the measurement parameters, run the control material…
Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Operate the densitometer for the Friday comparison: set the measurement parameters, run the control material three times, record results and variance, alert Tara immediately if variance exceeds two percent, and archive the measurement report to the case file.
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses