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 Central Avenue homicide scene by layering victim positioning, measured bite-mark locations,…
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the Central Avenue homicide scene by layering victim positioning, measured bite-mark locations, and furniture outlines onto the scene diagram, reconcile measurements with my field notes from June 3, and export a printable reconstruction for the lead detective by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDjob descriptionsO*NET
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Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Measure and photograph all bloodstain patterns at the Elm Street scene, calculate impact angles and area of…
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Measure and photograph all bloodstain patterns at the Elm Street scene, calculate impact angles and area of origin from my strip and string measurements, assemble the trajectory diagram with measurements and deliver the analytic report to homicide by Monday morning.
The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDjob descriptionsO*NET
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Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Perform toolmark, residue and swab tests on the knife and pipe recovered from the riverbank, log instrument…
Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Perform toolmark, residue and swab tests on the knife and pipe recovered from the riverbank, log instrument calibrations, run presumptive chemical assays, and prepare the evidentiary results sheet for submission to the lab supervisor within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Calibrate the spectrophotometer, dental radiograph unit and measuring microscope, perform preventive…
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Calibrate the spectrophotometer, dental radiograph unit and measuring microscope, perform preventive maintenance and record serial numbers and calibration certificates, then circulate the completed maintenance log to the lab manager before I leave today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Draft my expert witness statement for the August 12 hearing describing methodology, bite-mark comparisons,…
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Draft my expert witness statement for the August 12 hearing describing methodology, bite-mark comparisons, chain-of-custody, and limits of opinion, attach annotated images and measurement tables, and send the packet to the prosecutor and defense counsel by close of business Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, fluid-resistant gown, surgical mask, eye protection and shoe covers, check fit and…
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, fluid-resistant gown, surgical mask, eye protection and shoe covers, check fit and integrity, log the lot numbers in the lab safety log, confirm change into clean scrubs and only enter the evidence room once PPE is intact.
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Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Warm up the digital caliper and spectrophotometer to operating temperature, run the manufacturer calibration…
Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Warm up the digital caliper and spectrophotometer to operating temperature, run the manufacturer calibration standard and record pre- and post-calibration readings in the equipment maintenance file, flag any drift over tolerance and schedule service if needed.
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Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train three new lab technicians on bite-mark sampling, photographic scale placement, instrument calibration,…
Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train three new lab technicians on bite-mark sampling, photographic scale placement, instrument calibration, and PPE protocols this Thursday at 0900; run hands‑on demos with a plaster model, verify each trainee can prepare a sample and document results before they leave.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review the four recent odontological reports for technical merit by Monday: check measurement methods,…
Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review the four recent odontological reports for technical merit by Monday: check measurement methods, imaging scales, chain of custody statements, calibration logs, and evidence interpretation accuracy; annotate corrections and return to Dr. Morales with a risk assessment note.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two questioned bite impressions and the dental cast impressions from case 21-147 using…
Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two questioned bite impressions and the dental cast impressions from case 21-147 using side‑by‑side magnified measurements, photograph matching angles, and a short written opinion on concordant features and exclusions by Friday.
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 submitted handgun for mechanical condition, document restoration needs, attempt non‑destructive…
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
+Inspect the submitted handgun for mechanical condition, document restoration needs, attempt non‑destructive serial number recovery, photograph each step, and draft a statement of findings and legal status for the prosecutor by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Produce a complete photographic and sketch record for case 22-309: take calibrated macro photos of dentition,…
Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Produce a complete photographic and sketch record for case 22-309: take calibrated macro photos of dentition, create labeled hand sketches of occlusal surfaces, assemble a print‑ready documentation packet and submit it to evidence by end of day Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptions
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Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run the seized mobile images and intraoral scans through the lab’s tamper validation and metadata extraction…
Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run the seized mobile images and intraoral scans through the lab’s tamper validation and metadata extraction workflow, flag any altered files, export a verified copy with hash values, and attach a brief chain‑of‑custody note by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the dental identification lab this morning, log deviations from SOP while watching sample handling,…
Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the dental identification lab this morning, log deviations from SOP while watching sample handling, note PPE compliance, record equipment calibration checks and who performed them, then brief Dr. Morales and the lab manager before 16:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Support life science professionals
+Join the postmortem team at 09:30 to advise on dental sampling technique, ensure samples meet charting…
Support life science professionals
+Join the postmortem team at 09:30 to advise on dental sampling technique, ensure samples meet charting standards, provide two written recommendations for chain-of-custody and imaging, and circulate them to the life science lead, Dr. Khan, by noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Record test sequences
+Record the full test sequence for the mandibular radiograph series: note the operator, time stamps for each…
Record test sequences
+Record the full test sequence for the mandibular radiograph series: note the operator, time stamps for each exposure, machine settings, specimen ID, environmental conditions, and sign the sequence log before handing it to evidence custody.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare six tooth specimens for comparative analysis: document provenance, decalcify and label each tube,…
Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare six tooth specimens for comparative analysis: document provenance, decalcify and label each tube, photograph occlusal surfaces, place samples in the evidence tray with chain-of-custody forms, and notify Detective Ruiz when ready.
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Laboratory techniques
+Perform microscopic enamel and dentine thickness measurements on the three exhibits, calibrate the micrometer…
Laboratory techniques
+Perform microscopic enamel and dentine thickness measurements on the three exhibits, calibrate the micrometer first, record each reading with instrument serial number and operator initials, then attach results to the case file.
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Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Run the bite-mark pattern analysis equipment, verify calibration against the traceable standard, log pre- and…
Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Run the bite-mark pattern analysis equipment, verify calibration against the traceable standard, log pre- and post-run calibration values, capture raw output images, and file everything under case 21-047 for peer review.
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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.
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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