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.
The daily work15
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the crash and entry points from Officer Ramos's scene photos and the phone image files, map each…
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the crash and entry points from Officer Ramos's scene photos and the phone image files, map each item's GPS coordinate to a timeline, draft a labeled scene diagram with measured distances, and flag any gaps before I brief Detective Lin on Tuesday.
The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDjob descriptionsO*NET
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Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the lab team running fingerprint lift tests at bench B, note PPE compliance, equipment serial…
Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the lab team running fingerprint lift tests at bench B, note PPE compliance, equipment serial numbers, start and end times, any deviations from protocol, and file a clear written observation for the investigator by 17:00 today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Support life science professionals
+Meet with Dr. Alvarez and the biology team at 09:30, stand by to assist with sample transfers and equipment…
Support life science professionals
+Meet with Dr. Alvarez and the biology team at 09:30, stand by to assist with sample transfers and equipment calibration, document any chain-of-custody handoffs, and prepare a short support brief for the principal scientist before lunch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordESCO
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Record test sequences
+Record the full sequence of tests on handset A123: note each step, reagent lot numbers, instrument settings,…
Record test sequences
+Record the full sequence of tests on handset A123: note each step, reagent lot numbers, instrument settings, timestamps, and attach photos of results; save the sequence log and deliver it to evidence forensics by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare swab samples from recovered device X7 using the approved wet-dry technique, label tubes with case…
Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare swab samples from recovered device X7 using the approved wet-dry technique, label tubes with case 2026-112, wear full PPE, run contamination control blanks, and place sealed samples in cold storage with a manifest by 15:30.
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Laboratory techniques
+Perform standard laboratory technique checks on the spectroscopy rig: run the calibration standard, record…
Laboratory techniques
+Perform standard laboratory technique checks on the spectroscopy rig: run the calibration standard, record baseline noise and drift, log any anomalies, reset instrument parameters if out of tolerance, and notify the lab manager with findings.
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Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Operate the precision micrometer and spectrometer to measure trace residues on swipe C4: verify calibration…
Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Operate the precision micrometer and spectrometer to measure trace residues on swipe C4: verify calibration certificates, set instrument parameters to the lab SOP, capture three replicates, export readings, and append them to the case data file before leaving.
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Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, eye protection, an antistatic lab coat and shoe covers, check glove integrity and fit,…
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on nitrile gloves, eye protection, an antistatic lab coat and shoe covers, check glove integrity and fit, confirm contamination log is updated, and sign the entry line in the chain-of-custody before handling any devices this shift.
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Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up, load the calibration standard, follow the published checklist step by step,…
Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Run the instrument warm-up, load the calibration standard, follow the published checklist step by step, record measured values in the equipment log, and flag any out-of-tolerance reading for supervisor review before accepting test samples.
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Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Run a half-day hands-on session for Jeremy and Ana to teach evidence handling, chip-off basics, logical…
Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Run a half-day hands-on session for Jeremy and Ana to teach evidence handling, chip-off basics, logical extraction setup and failure modes, use the lab checklist, enforce gloves and contamination control, and end with a scored practical by Friday morning.
The tools that do the workLinuxMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review Maria's case reports for completeness and technical merit: verify chain of custody entries, confirm…
Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review Maria's case reports for completeness and technical merit: verify chain of custody entries, confirm extraction method matches device type, check hash verification and tool logs, note any unsupported conclusions and return with redlined comments by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two shoeprint lifts and the suspect tire mark: align scale and orientation, photograph under…
Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two shoeprint lifts and the suspect tire mark: align scale and orientation, photograph under oblique light, measure striation patterns and ridge counts, record measurement uncertainty, and produce a one-page 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 handgun for operability and legal markers: document serial number area, perform…
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 handgun for operability and legal markers: document serial number area, perform non-destructive restoration if obstructed, test action function under safe conditions, log results and legal status, then prepare an evidence memo for the prosecutor within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Produce scene photos and a diagram: shoot high-resolution scale images of the device and surrounding area,…
Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Produce scene photos and a diagram: shoot high-resolution scale images of the device and surrounding area, create a measured sketch with north arrow and scale, label key photos to match sketch, and deliver a print-ready evidence packet to case file tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe Photoshopjob descriptions
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Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run the approved toolchain on the seized phone: perform a logical extraction, capture filesystem and app…
Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run the approved toolchain on the seized phone: perform a logical extraction, capture filesystem and app data, preserve hashes and acquisition logs, document any errors, and hand over the forensic image and report to the detective by end of day.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Analysing3
Analyze samples for fingerprints, DNA, chemicals
+Run latent print lifts and swab extracts from the suspect's recovered phone and wallet, compare…
Analyze samples for fingerprints, DNA, chemicals
+Run latent print lifts and swab extracts from the suspect's recovered phone and wallet, compare high-resolution ridge detail against the agency database, record lab instrument readings and chain-of-custody notes, and prepare results for the lead investigator by Thursday.
The tools that do the workAutomated Biometric Identification System ABISjob descriptionsO*NET
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Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Document, photograph, and measure all bloodstain areas from the alleyway files, compute angles of impact and…
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Document, photograph, and measure all bloodstain areas from the alleyway files, compute angles of impact and origin using measured strings and scale markers, produce a report with annotated photos for the homicide detective before the weekend briefing.
The tools that do the workComputer aided design and drafting CADDjob descriptionsO*NET
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Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Prepare and run presumptive and confirmatory assays on the seized blade and white powder sample, log…
Perform tests on weapons or substances
+Prepare and run presumptive and confirmatory assays on the seized blade and white powder sample, log instrument calibrations and reagent lots, photograph results, and deliver a chain-of-custody-stamped summary to the crime lab supervisor within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform monthly preventive maintenance and calibration on the spectrometer, centrifuge, and comparison…
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform monthly preventive maintenance and calibration on the spectrometer, centrifuge, and comparison microscope, update the equipment log with serial numbers and calibration certificates, and schedule any required vendor service for next Monday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Draft my expert report and sworn summary from case 2026-114, assemble the exhibits, timelines, and method…
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Draft my expert report and sworn summary from case 2026-114, assemble the exhibits, timelines, and method validation data, rehearse direct testimony points, and circulate the packet to Prosecutor Vega and the court clerk by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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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.
The rest of the map
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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