Forensic Science Technicians
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
AI Impact Summary
Forensic Science Technicians faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 30/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 38% of all analyzed occupations. Of 27 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Forensic Science Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
27 tasks analyzed
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.
Analyze DNA data to identify DNA donor profiles.
Examine footwear, tire tracks or other types of impressions.
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
Train others, such as new personnel, on crime scene investigation techniques, including the collection and packaging of evidence.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. | 54.75Observed | 71.1% | 8% | |
| Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 7% | |
| Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 7% | |
| Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. | 0Estimated | 15.0% | 4% | |
| Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 4% | |
| Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 4% | |
| Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 3% | |
| Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 4% | |
| Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 2% | |
| Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 2% | |
| Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes. | 51.25Observed | 47.5% | 3% | |
| Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Analyze DNA data to identify DNA donor profiles. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 4% | |
| Examine footwear, tire tracks or other types of impressions. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Train others, such as new personnel, on crime scene investigation techniques, including the collection and packaging of evidence. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 32.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$67,440
per year
Mean Wage
$75,260
per year
Employment
19K
workers
Wage Range
$45,560 - $110,710
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsCriminal Investigators and Special Agents
27%Median salary: $93,580
Higher risk than 24% of other occupations
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
27%Median salary: $63,910
Higher risk than 26% of other occupations
Immigration and Customs Inspectors
27%Median salary: $93,580
Higher risk than 27% of other occupations
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Soil and Water Conservationists
32%Median salary: $67,950
Higher risk than 50% of other occupations
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
33%Higher risk than 55% of other occupations
Police Identification and Records Officers
33%Median salary: $93,580
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Geophysical Data Technicians
36%Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
40%Median salary: $78,420
Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Freight and Cargo Inspectors
43%Median salary: $85,750
Higher risk than 89% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Forensic Science Technicians professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change