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 downtown apartment crime scene as a layered digital report: stitch the photos to scale, place…
Reconstruct crime scenes
+Reconstruct the downtown apartment crime scene as a layered digital report: stitch the photos to scale, place measured evidence locations, annotate entry paths and device positions, and export a 1:50 scale scene diagram for the lead detective 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 the garage scene: photograph droplets with scale, measure angles of…
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns
+Examine the bloodstain patterns from the garage scene: photograph droplets with scale, measure angles of impact, reconstruct trajectories into a sequence of events, and deliver a report with annotated photos and a motion diagram for the homicide detective by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe Photoshopjob descriptionsO*NET
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Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform scheduled maintenance and calibration for the mass spectrometer and fingerprint imaging rig: run the…
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment
+Perform scheduled maintenance and calibration for the mass spectrometer and fingerprint imaging rig: run the calibration standards, log serial numbers and calibration values, replace worn consumables, and upload the maintenance certificate to the equipment folder today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Get approval1
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my courtroom expert packet: draft a concise methodology summary, compile chain-of-custody records,…
Testify as expert witnesses in court
+Prepare my courtroom expert packet: draft a concise methodology summary, compile chain-of-custody records, assemble labeled exhibits and calibrated instrument logs, and email the complete sworn exhibit bundle to the prosecutor and court clerk two business days before the hearing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on the disposable nitrile gloves, splash goggles, and hooded gown, check the respirator seal with a user…
Wear appropriate protective gear
+Put on the disposable nitrile gloves, splash goggles, and hooded gown, check the respirator seal with a user fit check, log the PPE lot numbers and expiry in the evidence notebook, and only then handle the seized laptop and USB drives.
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Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Bring the mass spectrometer and the digital forensic workstation to operating temperature, run the…
Calibrate laboratory equipment
+Bring the mass spectrometer and the digital forensic workstation to operating temperature, run the manufacturer calibration standard, record the pre- and post-calibration readouts and serial numbers in the lab log, and attach the calibration certificate to the next case file before imaging media.
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Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train the three new lab technicians on evidence intake, chain-of-custody paperwork, safe handling of digital…
Train new technicians in forensic techniques
+Train the three new lab technicians on evidence intake, chain-of-custody paperwork, safe handling of digital storage, imaging workflows, and write a two-hour practical where each images a seized laptop and demonstrates a verified checksum by Friday morning.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptionsO*NET
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Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review Sergeant Morales's forensic report for methodological soundness: verify imaging logs, chain-of-custody…
Review forensic reports for technical merit
+Review Sergeant Morales's forensic report for methodological soundness: verify imaging logs, chain-of-custody entries, tool versions, checksum validation, and note any unsupported conclusions or gaps before clearing it for case file submission on Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two sets of impression images from the burglary scene and the suspect's boot to determine class…
Compare objects and impression marks
+Compare the two sets of impression images from the burglary scene and the suspect's boot to determine class and possible individual characteristics, document matching points with measurement notes and photographic crops, and issue a concise conclusion by Wednesday.
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.
+Strip, inspect and test the recovered handgun to determine mechanical condition and any restorations needed…
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
+Strip, inspect and test the recovered handgun to determine mechanical condition and any restorations needed to expose the serial number, record each step, photograph components at each stage, and provide an opinion on operability and ownership links within five working days.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create a complete visual and sketch dossier for case 22-119: take scale photographs of the workstation,…
Create photographic and sketch-based documentation
+Create a complete visual and sketch dossier for case 22-119: take scale photographs of the workstation, produce a labeled scene sketch with dimensions and evidence positions, and compile a court-ready packet with captions and source metadata by Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioAdobe Photoshopjob descriptions
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Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run a full forensic extraction on the seized smartphone, preserve a verified image, execute keyword searches…
Operate digital media analysis tools
+Run a full forensic extraction on the seized smartphone, preserve a verified image, execute keyword searches for the suspect's alias and key dates, generate a timeline of relevant artifacts, and save the analysis package with exportable findings by end of day Monday.
The tools that do the workLinuxjob descriptions
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Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the containment lab during the 09:00–12:00 shift, note each technician’s entry and exit times, scrub…
Observe laboratory activities
+Observe the containment lab during the 09:00–12:00 shift, note each technician’s entry and exit times, scrub and glove changes, any deviations from chain-of-custody, and flag unresolved anomalies for the on-call supervisor before leaving at noon.
The tools that do the workLinuxESCO
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Support life science professionals
+Join the life sciences team for the 13:00 method validation meeting, review their sample handling steps,…
Support life science professionals
+Join the life sciences team for the 13:00 method validation meeting, review their sample handling steps, confirm required PPE and calibration records are present, and write a short list of procedural risks to discuss with Dr. Singh at 15:00.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Record test sequences
+Record the entire test sequence for the next qPCR run: start and end timestamps for each cycle, instrument…
Record test sequences
+Record the entire test sequence for the next qPCR run: start and end timestamps for each cycle, instrument serial numbers, reagent lot numbers, and any operator interventions, then save the sequence log and send a copy to the evidence file.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare the swab and fluid samples scheduled for analysis today: label each tube with case and sample…
Prepare samples for testing
+Prepare the swab and fluid samples scheduled for analysis today: label each tube with case and sample numbers, document collector and collection time, double-wrap per biosecurity rules, and move them to the refrigerated evidence locker with a signed transfer sheet.
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Laboratory techniques
+Walk through the lab bench procedures for the new analyst: demonstrate pipetting technique, centrifuge…
Laboratory techniques
+Walk through the lab bench procedures for the new analyst: demonstrate pipetting technique, centrifuge balancing, and sterility steps, verify they can run the calibration checklist unaided, and sign off their competency form if all items are met.
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Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Calibrate the spectrophotometer before the morning runs: record pre- and post-calibration readings, note…
Operate scientific measuring equipment
+Calibrate the spectrophotometer before the morning runs: record pre- and post-calibration readings, note ambient temperature and any adjustments, attach calibration certificate to the instrument log, and notify the lab manager if tolerances exceed limits.
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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