How to hire forensic science technicians
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. • Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence. • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. • Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques. • Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases. • Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes. • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Bachelor's degree] • Strong active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, writing and active learning skills • Working knowledge of law and government, public safety and security, education and training and English Language • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $34.65 an hour ($72,060 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for forensic science technicians
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What forensic science technicians do
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for forensic science technicians
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +13.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 2,800 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay forensic science technicians
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| California | $102,100 |
| Colorado | $84,010 |
| New York | $81,670 |
| Virginia | $68,900 |
| Florida | $64,140 |
See forensic science technicians pay in every state
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Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.