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.
Analysing4
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the downtown apartment crime scene into a scaled scene diagram showing body position, furniture,…
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the downtown apartment crime scene into a scaled scene diagram showing body position, furniture, entry points and measured blood locations, verify measurements against the field notes from Officer Martinez, then export a layered scene file and a one-page summary for Detective Nguyen by Wednesday 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 in the garage photos and measured template, classify impact types, calculate…
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Examine the bloodstain patterns in the garage photos and measured template, classify impact types, calculate angles and origin using the recorded point-to-point measurements, produce an annotated photo set and a three-paragraph interpretation for the lead investigator by tomorrow afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Visiojob descriptionsO*NET
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Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Perform forensic testing on the recovered knife and the white powder sample: document macroscopic findings,…
Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Perform forensic testing on the recovered knife and the white powder sample: document macroscopic findings, run presumptive tests, send relevant extracts for confirmatory analysis, note instrument calibration status, and upload chain-of-custody and results summary to the evidence file before 5pm.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptionsO*NET
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Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Complete the quarterly maintenance and calibration on the gas chromatograph and the imaging microscope,…
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Complete the quarterly maintenance and calibration on the gas chromatograph and the imaging microscope, record serial numbers and calibration certificates, schedule next service with LabTech Supply, and circulate the completed equipment log and risk notes to the lab manager by Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my expert witness packet for the May 12 hearing: compile chain-of-custody, method validation,…
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my expert witness packet for the May 12 hearing: compile chain-of-custody, method validation, instrument logs, and concise findings for the autopsy and lab tests, draft a two-page sworn summary for counsel and schedule a prep call with Prosecutor Ramos this week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work13
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on the exam gloves, nitrile apron, splash goggles and the respirator, check glove seal and respirator…
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on the exam gloves, nitrile apron, splash goggles and the respirator, check glove seal and respirator fit, verify sleeves taped, hood fastened and boot covers in place before handling any evidence to prevent contamination and preserve chain of custody.
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Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up, attach calibration standards, follow the equipment checklist to adjust zero and…
Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up, attach calibration standards, follow the equipment checklist to adjust zero and span, record pre- and post-calibration readings on the log, and flag any deviation over allowed tolerance before running case samples.
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Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train the three new technicians on proper evidence handling and basic serology over two mornings this week,…
Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train the three new technicians on proper evidence handling and basic serology over two mornings this week, demonstrate sample preparation and calibration on the hematology analyzer, have each do a supervised extraction and sign off before they handle casework.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the questioned tire track and the exemplar from the suspect vehicle, photograph both with scale, take…
Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the questioned tire track and the exemplar from the suspect vehicle, photograph both with scale, take microscopic impressions, document matching striations and differences in a comparison worksheet, and prepare a preliminary opinion for the investigator by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe 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.
+Examine the recovered handgun to assess functioning and trace restoration, record serial number recovery…
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
+Examine the recovered handgun to assess functioning and trace restoration, record serial number recovery steps, perform test-fire for headstamp and barrel condition, photograph evidence at each stage, then write the mechanistic and legal status report for case 24-189.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create a photographic and sketch dossier for the burglary scene: take scaled crime scene photos with north…
Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create a photographic and sketch dossier for the burglary scene: take scaled crime scene photos with north arrow, produce a floorplan sketch showing evidence locations and measurements, label each image, then compile a proof-ready PDF for the detective.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe Photoshopjob descriptions
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Operate digital media analysis tools
+Process the seized laptop and smartphone for volatile data, document exact acquisition steps, create a file…
Operate digital media analysis tools
+Process the seized laptop and smartphone for volatile data, document exact acquisition steps, create a file hash manifest, extract relevant artifacts, and deliver a forensic extraction report and evidence image set to the prosecutor within three business days.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the serology bench during the 08:00–12:00 shift, note each technician’s procedure deviations, PPE…
Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the serology bench during the 08:00–12:00 shift, note each technician’s procedure deviations, PPE breaches, equipment calibrations and chain-of-custody transfers, photograph any anomalies, and submit a signed deviation report to Dr. Morales by 15:00 today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Support life science professionals
+Attend the case briefing with the infectious disease team at 09:30, review requested assay parameters, advise…
Support life science professionals
+Attend the case briefing with the infectious disease team at 09:30, review requested assay parameters, advise on sample handling limits, draft a one-page protocol addendum with required PPE and hold times, and circulate it to Dr. Singh and the research lead by 12:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Record test sequences
+Record the PCR run sequence from setup through analysis for instrument 3: list lot numbers, reagent volumes,…
Record test sequences
+Record the PCR run sequence from setup through analysis for instrument 3: list lot numbers, reagent volumes, thermal profile steps, timestamps for each stage, technician initials, and save the full log and chromatograms to the case folder, then notify QA within two hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OfficeESCO
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Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare ten swabs and three tissue aliquots for toxicology: label with case 22-107, document collection…
Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare ten swabs and three tissue aliquots for toxicology: label with case 22-107, document collection times, centrifuge and aliquot per SOP, record final concentrations and storage locations in the sample register, and place items into secure freezer A-2 with chain-of-custody forms signed.
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Laboratory techniques
+Perform microscopy staining and quantitation on slide batch B: follow the staining timetable, calibrate the…
Laboratory techniques
+Perform microscopy staining and quantitation on slide batch B: follow the staining timetable, calibrate the light source and magnification against the slide standard, record bead counts and image capture settings, and upload annotated images and counts to the case file before end of shift.
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Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Calibrate the gas chromatograph before the afternoon run: perform the three-point calibration, log the…
Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Calibrate the gas chromatograph before the afternoon run: perform the three-point calibration, log the calibration curve and residuals, verify detector sensitivity meets acceptance, tag the instrument as ready, and email the calibration certificate to the lab manager.
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Says who?
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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