Pursuing a Forensic Scientist Career Path
A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
Forensic scientists play an important role in criminal investigations. The methods they use to collect evidence from a crime scene and their analysis of that evidence have the potential to impact the direction of a criminal investigation or the outcome of a criminal trial.
Unlike certain other criminal justice career paths, forensic scientists typically need a foundation in the natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics), mathematics and criminalistics.1 Prior to seeking an entry-level role, aspiring forensic scientists typically pursue an undergraduate degree. And then, once hired, they receive on-the-job training. However, to become a forensic scientist who practices independently, passing a state proficiency exam or being approved by a laboratory or accrediting body may also be necessary.2
In this article, we will explore how to become a forensic scientist in more detail, including the different types of forensic scientists, typical forensic scientist job responsibilities and common forensic science skills, as well as address a few frequently asked questions.
What Is a Forensic Scientist?
Forensic Science Definition
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) defines forensic science broadly as any science used for the purposes of the law, where "purposes of the law" includes the resolution of civil disputes, enforcement of criminal laws and government regulations, and protecting public health.3 In contrast, Merriam-Webster's definition of forensic science is more narrow in scope, describing it as "the application of scientific principles and techniques to matters of criminal justice especially as relating to the collection, examination and analysis of physical evidence."4
Forensic Scientist Overview
Forensic scientists, or forensic science technicians, collect and analyze evidence in criminal investigations, often specializing in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis.2
Those who specialize in crime scene investigation may be known as crime scene technicians or crime scene investigators. These individuals collect and store evidence from crime scenes, which includes photographing and documenting the crime scene and searching for trace evidence (i.e., materials transferred between people, objects or the environment during a crime5) also known as material evidence), such as fingerprints and DNA.2
Forensic scientists who work primarily in a laboratory setting, such as crime lab analysts or latent print examiners, analyze the trace evidence collected by crime scene technicians using scientific methods/tools (e.g., chemicals, microscopes, computer analysis). They may then take these results and try to match them to individuals (e.g., DNA or fingerprints) or to other known elements (e.g., shoe impressions or tire marks).2
What Does a Forensic Scientist Do?
What a forensic scientist does on a daily basis or in general depends on whether they investigate crime scenes or work in a laboratory. Additionally, forensic scientist job responsibilities tend to vary from employer to employer or even day to day. Even so, we can still make a few generalizations as long as we keep these things in mind.
Forensic science technicians who investigate crime scenes may be responsible for:
- Collecting, cataloging and storing evidence
- Keeping records and preparing reports detailing observations and investigative methods
- Testifying in court about investigative methods used at a crime scene
- Photographing, recording or making sketches of crime scenes and crime scene evidence
- Visiting morgues, examining crime scenes or using other sources to obtain evidence or information relevant to an investigation
- Collecting latent fingerprint impressions6
Forensic science technicians who work in a laboratory may be responsible for:
- Recording and reporting laboratory techniques used
- Testifying in court about analytical methods or findings
- Using chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprints; examining and analyzing blood stain patterns; analyzing gunshot residue and bullet paths; examining shoe, tire tracks or other impressions; determining the type of bullet(s) and firearm(s) used in a shooting; examining other types of physical evidence (e.g., hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood or soil) to determine its source and composition
- Comparing developed fingerprints or DNA evidence to those of known persons in databases
- Conferring with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation6
How to Become a Forensic Scientist
Education Needed for a Forensic Science Career Path
Aspiring forensic scientists typically must satisfy a mix of education, training and certification requirements to enter the profession.
Employers typically require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in forensic science or another natural science. Some crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers who have met the requirements for and completed police academy training.2
Once hired, forensic science technicians receive on-the-job training to help them prepare to work on cases independently. They may also learn laboratory specialties on the job, though the length of this type of training can vary.2
Skills Needed for a Forensic Science Career Path
In addition to specialized technical skills that may be needed to carry out the responsibilities of a given role, forensic science technicians may benefit from having certain personal qualities. To evaluate crime scene evidence and draw conclusions from this evidence, they should have strong analytical skills. To observe, describe and record evidence, they should be detail oriented. To be effective in writing reports, testifying in court or communicating with law enforcement and others, forensic science technicians should be strong communicators. And to carry out scientific tests or analyses, particularly when something is not straightforward, they should have problem solving skills.2
This list of forensic science skills is not exhaustive, however. Other qualities, such as being ethical, intellectually curious and unbiased, as well as having strong prioritization and time-management skills, could also prove beneficial. And importantly, all of the above forensic scientist skills can be developed with practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that holding an associate degree may be sufficient for certain positions, aspiring forensic science technicians typically must hold a bachelor's degree (in forensic science, biology or a physical science) to enter the occupation. Then they must receive on-the-job training and perhaps pass a state proficiency exam before being allowed to work on cases independently.2 Because there are so many variables—whether you choose to pursue an associate degree or a bachelor's degree program, how long it takes you to complete your degree program and how long it takes you to pursue employment—everyone's path to becoming a forensic scientist will be different.
According to the BLS, certification is not required to enter the occupation, but becoming certified may help to demonstrate competency in a specific skill.2 The American Board of Criminalistics and International Association for Identification are just two of the various certifying bodies offering forensic science certification.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033. One of the factors fueling this growth is increased hiring by state and local governments in response to higher caseloads. Another factor is advances in the field of forensic science. These advances are expected to increase the use of objective forensic information as evidence at trial, which in turn should increase the number of forensic science technicians needed to provide such information to law enforcement and the courts.2
BS in Criminal Justice: Specialization in Forensic Science Degree Program
American InterContinental University's Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Specialization in Forensic Science online degree program is designed to cover topics in policing, courts, criminology, corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security and forensic science. The forensic science degree specialization comprises courses on criminalistics, criminal investigation, psychopathology and criminality, and medicolegal death investigation. This degree program may be a good option for those who are interested in working to develop a broad foundation in criminal justice while studying topics related to forensic science and crime scene investigation.
Explore AIU’s full selection of Criminal Justice degree program offerings.
1U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice (NIJ), “Education and Training in Forensic Science: A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions and Students” (June 2004), https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/203099.pdf.
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Forensic Science Technicians,” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm (last visited Feb 7, 2024). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
3 American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), “What Is Forensic Science?,” https://www.aafs.org/careers-forensic-science/what-forensic-science (last visited Feb 7, 2024).
4 Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, “forensic science,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/forensic%20science (last visited Feb 7, 2024).
5 National Institute of Justice (NIJ), “Trace Evidence,” https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics/trace-evidence (last visited Feb 7, 2024).
6 National Center for O*NET Development, O*NET Online, “19-4092.00—Forensic Science Technicians,” https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4092.00 (last visited Feb 7, 2024).
American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2106890 2/2025