Do you have a passion for science and a desire to find truth and seek justice in legal proceedings?

CSI Miami GIF David Caruso as Horatio putting on sunglasses, text reads: I love that you did that little science experiments

Then a career as a forensic scientist may be for you!

What Do Forensic Scientists Do?

Michael C Hall as Dexter Morgan, a forensic scientist blood splatter analyst,  sitting at desk spinning in his chair.

Forensic scientists, sometimes called criminalists or crime scene investigators, do many important tasks, which may include:

✔️ Collecting evidence, which may include weapons, fingerprints, bodily fluids, or digital data.

🔎 Analyzing physical and digital evidence collected from a crime scene.

⚖️ Providing expert testimony before and during trials.

📷 Photographing or making sketches of the crime scene and evidence.

📋 Accurately documenting findings of investigations.

Quiz

What types of crimes or incidents might a forensic scientist investigate?

How Do I Become A Forensic Scientist?

Scientist in protective gear putting a solution into a test tube with a syringe Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash

You will need:

  • A bachelor's degree in science.

  • An advanced degree or specialized training (Masters, Ph.D.) for some jobs in the field.

  • Good speaking skills, as you may be called on to testify in court.

  • Excellent note-taking and observation skills.

  • The ability to write a scientific report.

  • The ability to remain unbiased and maintain personal and professional integrity.

How Much Does A Forensic Scientist Earn?

Flaticon Icon Average pay in the US:

  • $62,570/year or $31.29/hour

Flaticon Icon Average pay in Canada:

  • C$63,100/year or $31.55/hour

Take Action

Three young forensic scientists analyzing a finger print on a computer screen

Does forensic science sound like an exciting career for you? Explore more:

License:

Your feedback matters to us.

This Byte helped me better understand the topic.

Get support to take action on this Byte