Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment filled with potential twists and turns? What about becoming a modern day crime fighter who works as part of a team? If you possess analytical skills and enjoy science, forensic careers may be a great option. With a variety of forensic science careers that might be appealing, you could pursue a career after graduation that may be right for you.
Forensics Career Options
Earning your Forensic Science degree may qualify you to pursue a career in the field. From blood spatters to forged signatures, forensic science careers could offer you the excitement you are looking for. Below are possible career options that may interest you within the Forensic Science industry:
Forensic Science Technician[i]
As a forensic science technician, you might investigate crimes by collecting and scrutinizing evidence as well as write reports. You may choose to specialize in either laboratory analysis or crime scene investigation. At crime scenes, a forensic science technician might create sketches of the crime scene, record findings, collect physical evidence, and take photographs of the crime scene. Within laboratories, forensic science technicians may consult with other experts in related fields, reconstruct crime scenes, or use biological, chemical, or physical evidence on evidence gathered from crime scenes.
Median Annual Salary: $52,840
Job Projection: 6%
Psychologist[ii]
Psychologists use observation and interpretation to study emotional, cognitive, and human behavior. They perform scientific studies of brain function and behavior, collect information thought interviews, and use their knowledge to encourage understanding among individuals or groups. Within the criminal justice and legal system, forensic psychologists use psychological principles to assist attorneys, judges, and legal specialists to understand psychological aspects of a case. They might testify as expert witnesses in court and specialize in civil, family, or criminal court.
Median Annual Salary: $69,280
Job Projection: 12%
Fraud Examiners[iii]
Fraud examiners investigate fraud allegations by obtaining evidence, producing reports, taking statements, and even testifying regarding findings. Additionally, fraud examiners may oversee fraud prevention and detection. As part of the job, fraud examiners may ready evidence for court, testify in court, document investigative findings, and conduct in depth investigations into suspicious financial activities like money laundering.
Median Annual Salary: $62,510
Job Projection: 3% to 7%
Coroners[iv]
Coroners are responsible for overseeing autopsies, performing pathological and toxicological analysis, and responding to inquiries regarding investigations of deaths in order to find out what the cause of death was or to correct the responsibility for deaths that were ruled accidental, violent, or unexplained. Coroners also record and observe the positions and conditions of bodies, arrange for next of kin to be notified of deaths, complete death certificates, and perform medical examinations and autopsies to help identify victims, look for evidence of trauma, and identify factors that indicate time of death.
Median Annual Salary: $ 64,340
Job Projection: 3% to 7%
Private Investigator[v]
As a Private Investigator, you may uncover facts and analyze your findings. Private Investigators delve into legal, personal, and financial matters and offer services like finding missing persons, verifying people’s backgrounds, and even investigating computer crimes. They might search through records to find clues, conduct surveillance, interview people to glean information, collect evidence to be used in a court case, or verify facts like personal employment and income. They may also go undercover to observe suspects.
Median Annual Salary: $45,740
Job Projection: 11%
Fire Investigator[vi]
Fire Investigators figure out how fires and explosions begin and where they originate using burn patterns, interviews, video evidence and other evidence. They also check buildings to make sure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. They perform a variety of tasks like going over building plans with developers, testing fire sprinklers and alarms, conducting follow-up visits after infractions are found, and performing safety education programs. Fire Investigators can be important when it comes to criminal and insurance purposes relating to a fire.[vii] They collect evidence and analyze it from fire and explosion scenes, reconstruct fire or arson scenes, document evidence through photographs and diagrams, and even testify in civil and criminal legal cases.
Median Annual Salary: $53,990
Job Projection: 6%