All Forensic Careers
Job Description of Various Forensic Careers

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Curious about forensic careers? Which one? Forensic psychology, anthropology, dentistry or another forensic scientist job? Read our forensic job descriptions to learn which one is best for you.

Some of the hottest jobs in today’s employment market can be found in the various forensic science careers available.

As technology progresses, we find ourselves, as a society, better able to confront technological hurdles in law and order..

We have the machines, the software, the tools, and the skills to fight crime much more efficiently than we have in the past.

Details of Forensic Careers

With the advent of new fingerprinting technology, DNA testing, computer forensics, and any number of other specialized techniques, the forensic teams find themselves in a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to seeking justice.

And with all of those new possibilities come new job openings. After all, someone needs to run that fingerprint tech, do that DNA test, or operate that forensic software.

There’s no reason why that someone can’t be you.

Forensic Chemistry

When chemicals need analyzing during an investigation, it is up to the forensic chemist to do the work.

Among the many things forensic chemists analyze and evaluate are blood stains, DNA samples, and clothing fibers.

There are many different specialties within the forensic chemistry department, including the analysis of:

• Fingerprints
• DNA
• Blood
• Drugs

Forensic Odontology

Also known as forensic dentistry, this forensic career first got its roots nearly 2,000 years ago, when a Roman Emperor’s mother identified a rival’s remains by the stain on the dead body’s front tooth.

Since that time, the investigation and identification of a victim’s or perpetrator’s teeth has become instrumental in the pursuit of justice.

Many criminal investigations have been successfully closed over the last 2,000 or so years simply by identifying the owner of a tooth or bite mark.

It certainly takes a bit of schooling to have a successful forensic career in odontology, but the study and training are well worth it. Once you’ve been certified, you join an elite branch of forensic science that works a very important angle within the crime scene unit and takes home a very solid paycheck.

Forensic Archaeology

Digging up the past is the modus operandi of the archaeologist; doing so to aid a criminal or civil investigation is the work of forensic archaeology.

There are a number of ways in which a forensic archaeologist can help a case, including:

• Uncovering buried items that pertain to a case
• Investigating mass graves
• Analyzing the remains of an under- or above-ground burial

Most forensic archaeologists have doctorate degrees, meaning that you’ll have to spend a good deal of time in school. But once you have your proper credentials in order, your work potential is virtually limitless— in either the public or private sectors.

Forensic Tools

Beyond the analytical mind every forensic investigator needs to have, there are a great many different tools he or she uses to aid in a criminal or civil investigation.

Here's a sampling of the categories of tools forensic scientists have in their toolbox:

• Crime Scene Tools – These are often physical tools that help in the analysis of a crime scene and the collection of evidence—i.e. crime scene tape, plastic bags, cotton swabs, and the like.


• Laboratory Equipment – These are tools used mostly in the lab because of size, weight, expense, or the need for space—i.e. DNA testing apparatus, centrifuge for blood samples, medical imaging machines, etc.


• Software – Computers have become, in recent decades, a big part of many criminal investigations. There’s software available that helps the forensic investigator search hard drives, recover deleted files, evaluate emails, etc.

The number of tools available to the criminal justice team is incredibly vast—ranging from learned techniques to MRI machines—and every one of them is employed to help bring investigations to a satisfying conclusion.

Forensic Dentistry

This forensic career focuses on the investigation and evaluation of teeth in the pursuit of justice. The two most common practices of the forensic dentist—or forensic odontologist—are:

• Identifying remains based on recovered teeth or x-rays
• Matching bite marks to dental records

Whether the case is a criminal one or civil, there may be a need to call a forensic dentist into play. One of the most difficult—and, unfortunately, one of the most common—cases for the forensic dentist involves child abuse. Bite marks sustained during an attack often go a long way towards making a righteous conviction.

Forensic Science Fingerprinting

One of the most important forensic careers is the fingerprint analyst.

Very often, it is a fingerprint recovered from the scene of a crime that can turn a case.

Fingerprinting has been around for more than a hundred years—Sir Francis Galton and Sir Henry Edward are credited as the most important pioneers in this specialization.

When modern computers were introduced to the crime lab, identifying and matching fingerprints became a much easier task.

Forensic Radiology

Radiologists work with medical imaging to identify and analyze abnormalities beneath the surface. Forensic radiologists do the same thing, just in a legal setting.

Using x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and CT scans, forensic radiologists can aid criminal investigations by locating hidden objects or unnatural anomalies in people, both ante-mortem and post-mortem.

Forensic Scientist Salary

What is the average salary of a forensic scientist? This is a question that is difficult to answer because there are so many different kinds of forensic scientists working in the field or at the lab.

Depending on where you work, which position you hold, how long you’ve been working, and for whom you work, the number on your paycheck can be anywhere along an incredibly vast range.

Know this: the more qualified you are, the better your education, the more training you have, and the better work ethic you have, the more likely you are to make an above-average forensic scientist salary.

Forensic Anthropology Information

The forensic anthropologist studies human remains in an effort to aid an investigation in the legal setting. This forensic career involves analyzing crime scenes and figuring out answers based on the victim’s bones.

Osteology, or the study of bones, can play an incredibly important role in the forensic anthropologist’s work because they can offer up so much information. Especially in a cold case situation, when physical evidence is difficult to find, the forensic anthropologist can provide leads from the remains of victims or criminals.

Forensic Linguistics

The intersection between language and the legal system is where the forensic linguistics specialist works. This is quite a unique forensic career and one few people dream of being as a child.

Investigations are full of words, both spoken and in print. It is up the team of forensic linguists to study and evaluate those words to aid in an investigation.

A few of things the forensic linguist is responsible for include:

• Identifying the authors of documents
• Verifying that suspects understood their Miranda rights
• Analyzing ransom demands or suicide notes

Forensic Nurses

These forensic examiners work on the front lines of criminal investigations by caring for victims—and criminals—who need medical assistance.

A forensic nurse can have any number of different specialties, including:

• Caring for the elderly
• Working with inmates at a correctional facility
• Or helping those with mental imbalances

The two most common types focus on sexual assault and child abuse.

It is the duty of the forensic nurse to care for present injuries and work to minimize future traumatic stress from the crime.

Becoming a Forensic Scientist

Becoming a forensic scientist can be difficult at times, but the end result is well worth your time and effort. A small sampling of the rewards: A comfortable pay check, an interesting day-to-day job, and the knowledge of working to make your world a better place.

Before you jump into the waters of this particular career pool, however, there are a number of questions you’re going to need to ask yourself and others.

• Do you want to work in the criminal justice system?
• Which specialty do you want to pursue?
• What kind of education and training requirements does it demand?
• How much does the job pay hourly, monthly, or yearly?

Salary for a Forensic Investigator

The salary for a forensic investigator spans just as wide a range as that of the forensic scientist, and for the very same reasons.

There are countless positions open under the banner of forensic investigator, including: police officer, FBI agent, crime scene technician, and more.

Get FREE Info From Schools Subject: Criminology Criminal Justice Corrections Crime Scene Investigation Criminal Justice Administration Forensic Science and Technology Forensic Psychology Forensic Nursing Forensic Accounting Emergency and Crisis Management Fire Science Fire Services Administration Homeland Security and Terrorism Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Police Law School Legal Studies Court Reporting - Legal Transcription Legal Administration and Assisting Legal Administrative Assistant - Secretary Legal Office Management and Administration Paralegal - Legal Assistant Public Safety and Personal Safety Security and Loss Prevention Services Computer Crimes Cyber Security Private and Public Investigations Security Services Administration - Management Degree: - Select All Degrees - Associate's Bachelor's Master's Doctoral Certificates Diplomas Zip Code: (optional) Online Campus Both

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