By: Anna Giorgi
Updated: January 7, 2026
Learn how to become a crime lab technician
Do you enjoy watching TV dramas that center around crime scene investigations? Are you intrigued by the science behind solving crimes? If you’re looking for a way to use your interest in research and science to make an immediate impact on people’s lives, a career as a crime lab technician may be right for you.
A crime lab technician uses knowledge and skills in forensic science and criminal justice to help solve crimes, confirm identities and seek justice for victims. While the jobs of real-life crime lab technicians are not always as dramatic as those shown on TV, working in this role positions you in the dynamic field of forensic science where your work can help catch criminals and support a fair criminal justice system.
In this article
Should I become a crime lab technician?
You should consider becoming a crime lab technician if you have an interest in forensic science and can thrive in an environment that demands detail-oriented work. The job requires flexibility since the responsibilities include both routine and complex administrative and technical tasks. Having an interest in law enforcement and criminal justice can also be helpful to a crime lab technician since much of the work supports professionals in those areas.
“Beyond the basic academic skills (chemistry, biology, microscopy knowledge, etc.), those with strong attention to detail tend to excel in forensics. It can be a thorough and tedious field, and those with this attention to detail tend to perform stronger than those who do not. Additionally, having strong problem-solving skills is ideal as not every examination fits the same mold—there are often things that need ‘figured out’, troubleshooting with instrumentation or equipment, etc.,” says Tarah Helsel, Forensic Scientist and Manager of the Forensic Science Department at RJ Lee Group.
“It can be a thorough and tedious field, and those with attention to detail tend to perform stronger than those who do not.“
A crime lab technician receives, processes, analyzes and reports on collected evidence that can have many applications. In some cases, they may also be called upon to help collect evidence. This evidence can include hair, fiber, body tissue or fluids, gun casings and virtually any type of organic or foreign object. It can be used to analyze details such as fingerprints, ballistics and DNA to identify the methods to commit crimes, the types of materials present and possible suspects.
“Overall, forensics is a great field to work in, but it is also definitely a field you should work in only if you are truly passionate about it. It’s not for everyone—it can be stressful and tedious as well as unsettling and upsetting. To those who don’t have this love of the field, these downsides often make it not worth it. But to those who do love the field, all of the reward of finishing a complicated case, getting thanked by the attorneys you testified for and contributing to a court proceeding that will impact peoples’ lives make this career well worth it,” says Helsel.
Learn how to become a crime lab technician
If you think becoming a crime lab technician is the right career for you, follow these steps to get started:
Consider your career path.
A crime lab technician can be a generalist who handles all or many of the duties involved in securing and testing crime-related evidence. However, depending on your interests and place of employment, you may be able
to specialize in certain techniques and sciences within the lab. Areas of
specialty can include:
• DNA/Serology
• Drugs/Toxicology
• Microanalysis
• Firearms
• Fingerprinting
• Polygraph
• Questioned documents
“Forensic scientists can work in government or private labs. Government labs contain a variety of different sections (biology: DNA/serology, chemistry: drug chemistry/toxicology/trace, firearms, etc.). Private laboratories tend to be more specialized. For example, a lab that does only DNA/serology, or like my company: a department that specializes in gunshot residue. DNA is the most popular for forensics, but all areas of it are valuable,” says Helsel.
Being a crime lab technician also means dealing with the complexities of the broader criminal justice system. The degree of collaboration and contribution you have in identifying suspects, building a case and securing a conviction can vary by case and your position. While you will likely have to testify in court, you may prefer other law enforcement or criminal justice positions if you desire more involvement in the broader aspects of solving and prosecuting crimes.
Your responsibilities will vary by your position. “My specific expertise is gunshot residue. I am responsible for receiving, processing and analyzing evidence, issuing reports based on my findings and testifying in court when needed. I am also responsible for completing technical reviews of the analyses completed by my colleagues,” says Helsel.
Complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or related field.
A bachelor’s degree in forensic science is the minimal educational requirement that most employers require for a crime lab technician. This degree provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to work in a crime lab or similar environment.
“A bachelor’s degree is a must, and having forensics as some component of that degree is also essential. The agencies that accredit most forensic laboratories require that hires have a basic forensic understanding. Therefore, just a degree in chemistry or biology won’t suffice. If that is the major, then a minor that has a forensic focus would be ideal. Many schools have majors in forensic science, which is a great catch-all for all of the different avenues of forensics,” says Helsel.
As interest in the field of forensic science has grown, more schools have added degree programs specific to this field. The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) administers a formal accreditation program for undergraduate and graduate programs in forensic science. FEPAC-accredited programs have passed a rigorous review and met the standards for quality forensic science education.
Along with foundational knowledge in forensic science, a college education in this field can help you develop the research and critical thinking skills you need to succeed. It can also help you qualify for some professional certifications, which can enhance your credibility as a job candidate and later, as an expert witness.
As a student in an undergraduate forensic science program, your coursework may include the following types of courses:
• General chemistry
• Introduction to physics
• Introduction to cell and molecular biology
• Forensic evidence, law and criminal procedures
• Instrumentation in forensic chemistry laboratory
• Forensic microscopy
• Research techniques
• Professional practices and expert testimony
• Scientific writing
Get on-the-job experience.
While a college education can help you qualify for entry-level positions as a crime lab technician, you should expect your education to involve experiences outside of a formal classroom. Whether required by your degree or not, on-the-job experiences are a great way to understand how classroom theory and academic research translate to real-world applications in a working crime lab.
“Internships are definitely helpful because a lot of students think they want to work in forensics until they see what it’s actually like day-to-day. Getting an internship experience would help students decide whether forensics is the field for them and would further help them gauge which area of forensics is their preferred area to work in,” says Helsel.
You should also expect this type of on-the-job experience to continue when you are hired. It is common for experienced crime lab technicians to oversee new hires to ensure accuracy and adherence to lab standards since crime lab mistakes can have a dramatic impact on the outcomes of a case.
“Any hire would have to go through that lab’s specific training program first (which takes months to years) prior to getting to take ownership of any case analysis. Having a master’s degree can be helpful for salary, but overall, most forensics jobs require solely a bachelor’s,” says Helsel.
Begin your career as a crime lab technician.
You’ll be ready to start your career as a crime lab technician after completing your undergraduate degree. There is no requirement to pass a national examination or earn state licensure to work in this profession.
Local, county and state crime labs may offer the broadest range of cases and the most opportunities for new hires. Private laboratories and federal crime labs may be more competitive, so having an area of specialization and work experience may be needed for roles with these employers.
Consider joining a professional forensic science organization to expand your professional network and get the type of resources you need to achieve your goals. Many organizations allow you to join as a student or associate member without having work experience. This can be valuable in making professional connections and exploring specialty areas that you wish to explore.
How much do crime lab technicians earn?
Salary data for crime lab technicians are not reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the BLS category of forensic science technicians includes salary data for professionals who work as specialists in many areas, including crime lab technicians.
Forensic Science Technicians
10%$45,560
25%$53,310
50%$67,440Median
75%$88,710
90%$110,710
Median Hourly Wage$32
Job growth12.8%
Total Employment19,450
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,560 | $38,910 | $82,620 |
| Arizona | $60,620 | $45,590 | $109,850 |
| Arkansas | $46,210 | $39,680 | $62,370 |
| California | $96,850 | $61,380 | $137,020 |
| Colorado | $77,800 | $59,400 | $103,660 |
| Connecticut | $84,920 | $40,450 | $105,530 |
| Florida | $61,070 | $39,890 | $90,570 |
| Georgia | $58,500 | $39,060 | $83,600 |
| Idaho | $60,470 | $41,000 | $112,390 |
| Illinois | $117,590 | $57,590 | $147,370 |
| Indiana | $65,770 | $40,750 | $90,130 |
| Iowa | $63,650 | $34,240 | $97,220 |
| Kansas | $75,150 | $49,620 | $99,720 |
| Kentucky | $58,230 | $46,980 | $70,670 |
| Louisiana | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Maine | $68,710 | $44,470 | $74,320 |
| Maryland | $78,220 | $58,440 | $110,760 |
| Massachusetts | $75,210 | $60,560 | $105,010 |
| Michigan | $69,040 | $36,500 | $198,320 |
| Minnesota | $68,790 | $50,530 | $101,150 |
| Mississippi | $54,720 | $36,950 | $82,890 |
| Missouri | $64,700 | $45,360 | $87,420 |
| Montana | $78,610 | $38,470 | $97,670 |
| Nebraska | $63,390 | $45,140 | $80,080 |
| Nevada | $76,540 | $52,350 | $127,890 |
| New Jersey | $54,230 | $40,650 | $81,190 |
| New Mexico | $61,890 | $44,490 | $96,410 |
| New York | $78,170 | $60,680 | $101,370 |
| North Carolina | $50,460 | $42,720 | $77,720 |
| North Dakota | $74,470 | $54,410 | $95,680 |
| Ohio | $73,310 | $50,720 | $118,100 |
| Oklahoma | $64,990 | $43,990 | $95,690 |
| Oregon | $78,100 | $53,090 | $129,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,820 | $40,260 | $84,410 |
| South Carolina | $49,960 | $37,490 | $69,510 |
| South Dakota | $49,280 | $24,960 | $80,050 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $45,830 | $127,040 |
| Texas | $55,830 | $40,290 | $79,900 |
| Utah | $64,430 | $45,960 | $88,940 |
| Vermont | $67,750 | $54,680 | $91,540 |
| Virginia | $62,860 | $46,900 | $107,210 |
| Washington | $77,650 | $58,090 | $103,650 |
| West Virginia | $59,930 | $38,190 | $80,550 |
| Wisconsin | $61,920 | $50,210 | $95,470 |
| Wyoming | $60,670 | $45,870 | $88,510 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
How does a crime lab technician’s salary compare to similar occupations?
Factors that impact salary
Factors such as work experience and level of responsibility can impact salaries for crime lab technicians employed by local, state and federal government crime labs and law enforcement organizations. Salaries for government jobs are usually based on government-regulated pay scales, which can vary by position and geographic location.
Depending on their experience and area of specialization, you may also find opportunities to work as a crime lab technician in the private sector. With more experience and professional credentials, you may be able to market your skills to attorneys, private investigative firms, insurance companies or other private clients seeking professional evidence analysis or expert court testimony.
Earning professional certifications can help establish your credibility as a crime lab technician. Professional certification may also expand your employment opportunities and help you qualify for higher salaries with more responsibility. Earning this type of credential proves that you’ve met established educational, experience and examination criteria to demonstrate your knowledge in the area of forensic science indicated.
Depending on your interests and professional goals, you may benefit from a professional certifications in one of the following areas from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC):
Where are crime lab technicians most in demand?
The U.S. job outlook for crime lab technicians and other jobs includes the broad category of forensic science technicians is promising. According to the BLS, there is a projected growth rate of 12.8% for forensic science technicians through 2034. This is more than three times the average projected growth rate for all U.S. occupations during that time.
Opportunities for all types of forensic science technicians are set to increase in response to major industry growth. Rising crime rates and an increasing emphasis on forensic evidence in criminal cases have contributed to industry growth in forensics, report industry analysts. Here are the top 10 metro areas for employment of forensic science technicians in the U.S.:
States with the highest level of employment of crime lab technicians (forensic science technicians):
What being a crime lab technician is all about
Being a crime lab technician involves using knowledge from a broad range of disciplines to analyze physical evidence associated with a crime. Depending on the nature of the case and the type of evidence involved, you may use lab equipment such as microscopes, national crime databases, toxicology or other analytical tests on substances such as soil or glass fragments. You can expect every case to pose a new set of questions along with opportunities to learn new ways to provide answers.
“It is a highly interesting field. Each case is different, and getting to work with clients and provide them results that help answer their questions and move a case along is incredibly fulfilling. Getting to do analysis in a case and see the real-life implications unfold in court is so rewarding,” says Helsel.
Despite the role’s title, working as a crime lab technician may not be limited to working in the lab. Your expertise may be required for testimony as an expert witness in cases where the analysis of evidence is questioned or refuted. For a crime lab technician, testifying requires skills much different from those involved in evidence preparation and analysis.
“In my experience, this [testifying] is the aspect of the job that is the deciding factor of whether or not forensics is for a particular individual. While in my opinion, it is the most exciting and rewarding part of the job, it is also the most challenging. The court systems are difficult to work with—cases get scheduled to go to court and often get cancelled or postponed at the last minute. Often, you are waiting until the last minute to find out when you have to go to court,” says Helsel. “Testifying itself can be very difficult when you are faced with tough cross-examination. This part of the job can get to be very stressful, especially for those who do not like public speaking. I have seen many people leave this field because of testimony.”
What you’ll do
The specific job duties you perform as a crime lab technician can vary based on your employer, your area of specialty and the type of evidence being processed and analyzed. Your work as a crime lab technician may involve the following tasks:
What does this job look like from the practitioner’s perspective?
The work of a crime lab technician is balanced by rewards and challenges. While your primary responsibilities are likely to involve the use of scientific tools and techniques to analyze evidence, you can also have an impact on case outcomes when called upon to testify in court cases. “Adaptability is a must as things don’t always work out as well or routinely as we may hope, and it’s important to use those experiences as a challenge to figure out instead of a setback that causes frustration. Strong public speaking skills are also a must because you will have to testify if you go into this industry,” says Helsel.
What’s day-to-day like?
While most crime lab technicians do their work in a laboratory setting, you may have to visit a crime scene to collect evidence, depending on the size of the laboratory and the scope of your work. Since you never know what type of evidence will arrive each day, the day-to-day routine can vary widely even for those who specialize in this field.
A crime lab technician may be involved in any of the following tasks on a typical day:
What does this job look like from a client’s perspective?
Clients seek the services of a crime lab technician for a variety of reasons some of which can impact the lives of those involved. The “clients” for government crime lab technicians include detectives and lawyers seeking an analysis of physical evidence that might help solve a crime.
Clients of a private laboratory can also include law enforcement agencies, law firms, government labs, individuals or firms. In some cases, law enforcement officials or lawyers may seek out an analysis from a private lab to obtain an unbiased evaluation of physical evidence. In court cases, jurors may view an objective analysis as being more trustworthy than an analysis from a government-owned lab.
The skills (and competencies) you’ll need
A crime lab technician needs a combination of personal and technical skills to succeed in this profession. These competencies include:
- Knowledge of principles of forensic science:
- A crime lab technician must have foundational knowledge in forensic science so they are prepared to learn and apply the specific tasks and procedures used in a lab.
- Critical thinking:
- A crime lab technician uses reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to a problem or mystery.
- Science-based perspective:
- A crime lab technician should have an interest in using scientific processes and equipment such as microscopes, lab tests and other chemicals to evaluate the evidence presented.
- Public speaking skills:
- A crime lab technician needs strong public speaking skills when providing testimony as an expert witness in a court case.
- Communication skills:
- When presenting or writing their report, a crime lab technician must be able to help professionals from a wide range of disciplines understand how they reached their conclusion.
- Ethical perspective:
- A crime lab technician must remain ethical and impartial to ensure that their analysis is objective and unbiased.
- Complex problem solving:
- A crime lab technician identifies complex problems and considers related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Attention to detail:
- A crime lab technician must be able to exert extreme attention to detail in observing and analyzing the characteristics of a piece of evidence.
- Time management:
- The opinion of a crime lab technician may be required within a certain timeframe or deadline to align with corresponding court cases and other investigations.
The tools and technology you’ll likely use
The specific tools and technology you use can vary by lab and the type of work they do. Some common tools and technology include:
- Analytical or scientific software:
- DM2 Bills of Lading and Laboratory information management system (LIMS)
- Computer-aided design (CAD) software:
- Computer aided design and drafting (CADD) software
- Database user interface and query software:
- Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene, Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), Microsoft Access, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)
- Electronic mail software:
- IBM Notes, Microsoft Outlook
- Graphics or photo imaging software:
- Adobe Photoshop, DesignWare 3D EyeWitness, Eos Systems PhotoModeler, graphics software, image enhancement software, Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus, Midwest Information Systems PAX-it, SmartDraw Legal, The CAD Zone The Crime Zone, Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD, Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
- Office suite software:
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software:
- Linux
- Process mapping and design software:
- Microsoft Visio
Where you’ll work
A crime lab technician can work in labs in either the public or private sector. Your choice of employer may depend on whether you want to pursue an area of specialization and which labs employ those types of specialists.
Job titles
Work environments
Most crime lab technicians are employed by government-owned or private crime labs. These work environments include:
How to make yourself stand out as a candidate for a crime lab technician job
While specific requirements vary by employer, you’ll need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to qualify for most entry-level crime lab technician jobs. Though typically not required for entry-level candidates, an advanced degree may be more desirable when seeking a supervisory or managerial roles in the lab. Having a background that includes internships, practicum placements and research experience can help you gain exposure to a wide range of cases and lab procedures, which may help you stand out from other candidates seeking entry-level positions.
Post-graduate educational programs in specialized areas and professional certifications can demonstrate that you’ve mastered the knowledge necessary to work in a certain area. Since most labs have their own training programs, they may be looking for candidates who are committed to learning and continuing professional education.
Professional organizations to join along the way
Membership in a local, regional or national professional organization can help you connect with crime lab technicians and grow your career. These organizations typically provide member perks that include continuing education, mentorship/career planning support, job search resources and meetings/conventions. These benefits can foster a professional community and keep you informed about industry news.
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD: This professional organization includes crime laboratory directors and forensic science managers dedicated to providing excellence in forensic science through leadership and innovation.
American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS): This multidisciplinary organization provides leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system. Members include crime lab technicians, pathologists, attorneys and othersinvolved in many other aspects of forensic science. The AAFS also has 12 sections that encompass different forensic science disciplines. The Criminalistics section may be of interest to crime lab technicians.
American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE): This professional organization includes students, professors, and other professionals involved in the field of trace evidence. ASTEE publishes a peer-reviewed open access journal to encourage the exchange of ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to work as a crime lab technician?
There are no federal or national licensing requirements to become a crime lab technician in the United States. Depending on your employer and specific position, specialized training or professional certifications may be preferred or required.
Are there opportunities to specialize as a crime lab technician?
You may have the opportunity to specialize in concentrations such as blood splatter, ballistics or other areas, depending on the size and scope of a specific laboratory.
Will I need to complete a background check to work as a crime lab technician?
Many government-related labs perform background checks to examine a job candidate’s criminal history, illegal drug use and credit history. Existing policies will determine how the results impact your employment opportunities. Private labs establish their own standards and screening criteria to qualify job candidates at all levels.