What Kind of Forensic Scientist Should I Be

One press picks a kind of forensic scientist to look into, with the evidence that specialist handles.

What Kind of Forensic Scientist Should I Be

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  1. Network forensics analystMonitors and analyzes computer network traffic for legal evidence.

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How it works

Drawn to forensics but not sure which lab bench is yours? Press the button for a kind of forensic scientist, from DNA analyst to document examiner.

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Twelve sections of the academy

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences sorts its members into 12 sections: anthropology, criminalistics, digital and multimedia science, engineering and applied sciences, forensic nursing science, general, jurisprudence, odontology, pathology and biology, psychiatry and behavioral science, questioned documents, and toxicology.

Scene or laboratory

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says forensic science technicians often specialize in either crime scene or laboratory analysis. At a scene they photograph, record, collect and catalog evidence. In a laboratory they run chemical, biological and microscopic analyses on it.

  • Most scientists in forensic laboratories work 40 hours a week, the academy says. Others work in the field, and some may be on call.

Questions and answers

What are the different types of forensic scientists?

Most are named for the evidence they handle: DNA analysts, toxicologists, fingerprint examiners, questioned document examiners and digital forensics examiners. Anthropologists and odontologists work with bones and teeth, and forensic engineers with accidents and product failures.

What degree do you need to be a forensic scientist?

Forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences lists a bachelor’s degree in a science such as chemistry, biology or physics, with courses in math, statistics and writing.

Do forensic scientists testify in court?

Yes. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences explains that a forensic scientist testifies as an expert witness, who may give an opinion about what the results of testing mean, not only say what the results were.

Which forensic scientists work with computers?

Digital forensics examiners recover and analyze material found in digital devices. Within the field, computer forensics covers computers and storage media, mobile device forensics covers phones, and network forensics covers network traffic.

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All 51 kinds of forensic scientist

DNA and biology 9

  • Forensic biologist Applies biology to evidence in criminal and civil cases, often to obtain a DNA profile.
  • Forensic botanist Studies plant life to gain information about possible crimes.
  • Forensic DNA analyst Works out a person’s DNA profile from biological evidence.
  • Forensic entomologist Uses insects and other arthropods as a basis for legal evidence.
  • Forensic genetic genealogist Uses genetic information from consumer DNA testing companies to help identify people.
  • Forensic palynologist Uses pollen grains and spores to link objects, people and places.
  • Forensic serologist Detects, identifies and classifies body fluids found as evidence.
  • Forensic statistician Applies probability models and statistics to scientific evidence, such as DNA evidence.
  • Wildlife forensic scientist Applies science to legal cases about wildlife, such as trade in endangered species.

Chemistry and trace evidence 7

  • Fire investigator Determines the origin and cause of a fire or explosion.
  • Forensic chemist Identifies unknown substances, such as drugs and accelerants, for legal cases.
  • Forensic geologist Deals with trace evidence in the form of soils, minerals and petroleum.
  • Forensic glass analyst Analyzes glass to understand where it came from.
  • Forensic science technician Analyzes evidence in a crime lab with chemicals and equipment such as microscopes.
  • Forensic toxicologist Tests samples for drugs, alcohol and poisons to aid a medical or legal investigation.
  • Trace evidence examiner Analyzes and compares trace evidence such as glass, paint, fibers and hair.

Fingerprints, marks and scenes 8

  • Crime scene technician Photographs and documents a scene, then collects and stores the evidence.
  • Fingerprint examiner Recovers and compares the impressions left by the ridges of a finger.
  • Firearm and toolmark examiner Examines the characteristics of firearms and bullets to link a bullet to a weapon.
  • Footwear examiner Compares shoe impressions to help show that a shoe was at a scene.
  • Forensic artist Makes art for legal use, such as composite drawings and courtroom drawings.
  • Forensic photographer Makes the visual record of a scene and of the physical evidence.
  • Forensic podiatrist Uses knowledge of the foot and lower limb to examine foot-related evidence.
  • Tire tread examiner Records and analyzes the impressions left by vehicle tire treads.

Documents, digital and money 11

  • Art authenticator Uses authentication methods to detect forged, faked and copied works of art.
  • Audio forensics examiner Acquires, analyzes and evaluates sound recordings that may be presented as evidence.
  • Computer forensics examiner Examines evidence found in computers and digital storage media.
  • Digital forensics examiner Recovers, examines and analyzes material found in digital devices.
  • Forensic accountant Investigates whether there has been financial misconduct in a firm.
  • Forensic data analyst Examines structured data to discover patterns of fraudulent activity.
  • Forensic linguist Applies knowledge of language to law, investigation, trial and judicial procedure.
  • Forensic video analyst Examines, compares and evaluates video in legal matters.
  • Mobile device forensics examiner Recovers digital evidence from mobile phones and similar devices.
  • Network forensics analyst Monitors and analyzes computer network traffic for legal evidence.
  • Questioned document examiner Examines disputed documents for alterations, forgery, origin and authenticity.

Bones, teeth and medicine 8

  • Forensic anthropologist Studies the skeleton to reconstruct as much as possible about a person’s life.
  • Forensic archaeologist Applies archaeological techniques together with forensic science.
  • Forensic nurse A registered nurse who cares for patients whose cases meet the legal system.
  • Forensic odontologist Handles, examines and evaluates dental evidence; odontology is the study of teeth.
  • Forensic pathologist A medical doctor who determines a cause of death for a legal inquiry.
  • Forensic psychiatrist A psychiatrist whose scientific and clinical expertise is applied in legal contexts.
  • Forensic psychologist Applies psychology to help answer legal questions in judicial proceedings.
  • Forensic social worker Applies social work to questions relating to the law and legal systems.

Earth, nature and engineering 8

  • Forensic astronomer Uses astronomy to determine the sky conditions at a past event.
  • Forensic electrical engineer Investigates electrical failures and accidents in a legal context.
  • Forensic engineer Investigates accidents and product failures with the tools of science and engineering.
  • Forensic geophysicist Uses geophysical tools to search for and map objects buried under soil or water.
  • Forensic materials engineer Looks for defects in materials that might explain why an accident occurred.
  • Forensic meteorologist Reconstructs the weather for a certain time and location.
  • Forensic polymer engineer Studies why a plastic product fractured or failed in service.
  • Forensic seismologist Uses the techniques of seismology to detect and study distant explosions.