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In addition to education and certification, expert forensic analysts must obtain practical, on-the-job training.

The Job Market for Forensic Scientists The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lumps all forensic scientists, also known as “crime scene investigators” or “forensic science technicians,” into one category rather than separating them out by job role. As of 2018, there were about 16,700 people employed in various forensic science roles. According to the bureau, the job outlook is fairly positive, as the field is estimated to grow by about 14 percent between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than the average for other industries. Since this is a relatively small field, however, that will only amount to an additional 2,400 jobs. Prospective forensic scientists and analysts can find employment with local and state governments and law enforcement agencies. The FBI also has specialized units devoted to particular types of impression evidence, such as the Latent Print Unit (LPU) and the Firearms/Toolmarks Unit (FTU). Smaller agencies may send their evidence to the FBI for expert analysis that requires a particular skill set.

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Impression Evidence