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Matt Zbrog
Forensic Investigations Career Guide: What to Know
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Teams, not individuals, conduct modern investigations. While there is often still a point person for that team—a special agent or lead detective—they rely heavily on their team’s forensic expertise. Few cases lack a forensic element.
Careers in forensic investigation merge lab work with field work, and science with criminal justice. Under the broad umbrella of forensic investigations sit a dozen career titles, each related to its own specific type of evidence or aspect of modern investigation.
To work in forensic investigations is to work at the forefront of science and technology, all in the pursuit of justice. These careers necessitate strong detail orientation, collaboration, and integrity. One’s work goes far beyond a paycheck: it could be used in a courtroom to determine someone’s guilt or innocence. The educational requirements, employment requirements, and day-to-day life in these careers is different from many others as a result.
Read on to learn more about the diverse and interrelated careers involved in forensic investigations.
Education Requirements for Careers in Forensic Investigations
The bare minimum for a career in forensic investigation is a high school diploma and some post-secondary training, either through certificate programs or on-the-job instruction — though careers accepting that minimum are increasingly rare. The most complex careers, particularly those in the natural sciences, will require master’s or doctoral degrees.
While many educational programs offer some portion of their classes online, the laboratory-based and hands-on nature of many forensic careers means that most will incorporate some in-person component. Sometimes, that in-person component can be completed locally, and other times it is required to take place on campus. Read through any prospective program’s details thoroughly, and don’t hesitate to contact their admissions department with any questions—that’s what they’re there for.
Employment Requirements for Careers in Forensic Investigations
While investigators can work for insurance companies, private consultancies, or academic institutions, many will go on to work with law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
It is important to note that, given their positioning within the criminal justice system, forensic investigators must adhere to some unique employment requirements. The application process for forensic investigation jobs can include drug tests, background checks, and/or polygraph tests. Qualified candidates will have no bad credit, no serious crimes on record, and no history of recreational drug use.
Some employers have relaxed their stance on past recreational drug use, as of late with different scales applying to different drugs: how far the use was in the past, and the extent of the use, both weigh into the final calculation. But don’t fib. It’s crucial to be honest with your future employer about this information.
As any member of the forensic professions may be asked to testify in court, forensic investigations require trust and integrity, and any sign that those traits are not put forward in the application process will be dealt with swiftly.
Careers in Forensic Investigations
Arson investigators help determine the cause of fires, including whether a fire was naturally occurring or manmade. Their work will take place primarily in the field, though some lab work may be involved, too.
At a minimum, arson investigators will need a high school diploma and some experience working with law enforcement or fire departments; many transition into the role of arson investigator from working with police or fire departments. Increasingly, however, it’s common for arson investigators to hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; majors can range from criminal justice, to fire science, to another related field.
Specializations for arson investigators include explosive investigation, fire modeling and computer simulation, vehicle fire investigation, and wildfire investigation.
Many arson investigators choose to become professionally certified through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and/or the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).
Crime scene investigators collect, document, and preserve physical evidence from crime scenes. Their work takes place primarily in the field, securing evidence that specialists in forensic laboratories will analyze.
Crime scene investigators can enter the profession through a career as a law enforcement officer, starting with as little as a high school diploma and some additional certification. Those who choose not to enter in this fashion are better off pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an area like criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field.
Crime scene investigation is a broad career title. Specialization options include forensic photography, footwear and tire tread analysis, and crime scene reconstruction.
The International Crime Scene Investigators Association (ICSIA) and the International Association for Identification (IAI) offer additional certifications for crime scene investigators.
Digital forensics experts recover and analyze data extracted from computers, smartphones, and other storage mediums. While they can work for many employers, both in the public and private sectors, digital forensics experts almost always work in a laboratory or office setting.
Most digital forensics experts have at least a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field; it’s becoming increasingly common for them to earn master’s degrees or doctoral degrees.
Digital forensics is an enormous domain, encompassing much of the modern technology that’s become ubiquitous daily. Specializations for digital forensics include, but are not limited to: mobile forensics, cloud forensics, database forensics, and cybersecurity.
Certification is not a requirement to work as a digital forensics expert, but it is a common way to distinguish oneself and prove competency in the field. Organizations offering relevant certifications include the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE), the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), the Information Assurance Certification Review Board (IACRB), and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).
Firearm and Toolmarks Examiner
Firearm and toolmarks examiners analyze ballistics information, including firearms and ammunition. As forensic scientists, they work almost exclusively in the lab, but they can also be called up as part of specialized emergency response teams.
Firearm and toolmarks examiners should have at least a bachelor’s degree, and master’s or doctoral degrees are increasingly common. While it’s possible to enter this field with education in criminal justice or forensic science, many employers are seeking candidates with advanced education in natural sciences or in physics, relying on on-the-job training to fill in gaps in criminal justice and forensic processes.
Specialization options for firearm and toolmarks examiners include bullet and cartridge case comparison, trajectory analysis, and advanced imaging and microscopy.
Those who seek optional professional certification often do so through the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE), which provides separate tracks for firearms and toolmarks.
Forensic accountants track the flow of money and assets, particularly those in relation to financial crime. The majority of their work will take place in an office, but sometimes they’ll be required to go out into the field for interviews or further investigation. Forensic accountants can be employed widely across both the public and private sector; law firms, consultancies, accounting firms, and government bodies often employ them.
Forensic accountants will need at least a bachelor’s degree, typically as a traditional accounting major, although it’s possible to study economics, business, or forensic accounting instead. Accountants of all stripes will also need to become licensed as a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), the requirements for which vary slightly from state to state.
Specialization options for forensic accountants include fraud examination, litigation support, and blockchain forensics.
Additional, but optional professional certification for forensic accountants is available through the American Board of Forensic Accounting (ABFA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
A forensic biologist analyzes biological evidence left at crime scenes, which can help identify victims and suspects, and establish links between the two. Forensic biologists are lab specialists, and will perform the vast majority of their work in a laboratory, though they can be called into the field as part of special response teams, and may be asked to testify in court.
Forensic biologists should have at least a bachelor’s degree in their field of practice; master’s or doctoral degrees are increasingly sought after. Advanced education in biology, microbiology, or a related field is ideal, while knowledge in criminal justice and forensic processes can be gained on the job.
Forensic biologists specialize in DNA analysis, serology, botany, and entomology.
Optional certifications are available through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC).
A forensic chemist analyzes non-biological evidence left at crime scenes, including substances such as drugs, poisons, and explosives. Forensic chemists are lab specialists, and will perform the vast majority of their work in a laboratory, though they can be called into the field as part of special response teams, and may be asked to testify in court.
Forensic chemists should have at least a bachelor’s degree in their field of practice; master’s or doctoral degrees are increasingly sought after. Advanced education in chemistry, toxicology, or a related field is ideal, while knowledge in criminal justice and forensic processes can be gained on the job.
Specialization options for forensic chemists include toxicology, explosives analysis, paint and polymer analysis, and drug detection.
Professional certifications are available through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC), and the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT).
A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor who investigates and helps determine the cause of death in an investigation. This is a lab-based position, but may include occasional field work, and will very often include the responsibility of testifying in court.
As medical doctors, forensic pathologists have strict educational requirements: a bachelor’s degree (typically in natural sciences), followed by medical school to earn an MD or DO, and a residency in forensic pathology. Forensic pathologists must be board-certified through the American Board of Pathology or the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology.
Forensic pathology is, in itself, a specialization of pathology. However, further specialization may be sought in neuropathology, pediatric forensic pathology, or cardiac pathology.
A forensic psychologist applies psychological principles to different aspects of the criminal justice system: devising profiles for potential suspects, assessing victims, and interviewing convicts. Their work can take them out of the office, into the field, to correctional facilities, and to the courtroom.
Forensic psychologists will generally need a bachelor’s degree in a field like psychology and at least a master’s degree in a related field. Some positions will require forensic psychologists to have a PhD or PsyD, particularly if responsibilities include assessment and treatment. All forensic psychologists will need to be licensed in the state where they practice.
Specialization options for forensic psychologists include criminal evaluation, correctional psychology, and police psychology.
Professional certification is available through the American Board of Forensic Psychology (ABFP).
A friction ridge examiner analyzes and compares fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints to identify and establish connections between individuals of interest to an investigation. As lab specialists, they will perform the vast majority of their work in a laboratory, though they can be called into the field as part of special response teams, and may be asked to testify in court.
As a form of forensic scientist, friction ridge examiners should have a solid educational foundation in the natural sciences: a bachelor’s degree is a minimum, and master’s and/or doctoral degrees are becoming increasingly common. Knowledge around criminal justice and forensic processes can be more acquired through on-the-job training.
Friction ridge examiners can specialize in areas such as: latent print analysis, palm print analysis, and footprint or barefoot analysis.
The International Association of Identification (IAI) and the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) offer additional professional certifications.
Special agents conduct and lead investigations for state and federal investigation agencies. This is primarily field-based work, with a special agent acting as the point person for a larger, team-based investigation.
Special agents will need at least a bachelor’s degree, but majors can be in one of several different areas: everything from computer science, to accounting, to the natural sciences. Master’s degrees can be particularly advantageous, especially for those wanting to take on leadership positions and pursue specialization.
In addition to educational requirements, prospective special agents will need to be able to meet physical requirements as well. After a provisional hire, rigorous on-the-job training will include both classroom instruction and physical exercises.
Special agents may specialize under the agency they join; they can also choose to specialize further in any area of investigation.
A questioned documents examiner analyzes and compares handwriting, typewriting, and printed documents to help establish their origin, authenticity, and provenance. As lab specialists, they will perform most of their work in a laboratory, though they can be called into the field as part of special response teams, and may be asked to testify in court.
As a form of forensic scientist, friction ridge examiners should have a solid educational foundation in the natural sciences: a bachelor’s degree is a minimum, and master’s and/or doctoral degrees are becoming increasingly common. Knowledge around criminal justice and forensic processes can be more acquired through on-the-job training.
Specialization options for questioned documents examiners include handwriting analysis, ink analysis, paper analysis, and printed document analysis.
Additional professional certifications are available through the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE) and the International Association for Identification (IAI):
Matt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2018, he’s written extensively about the increasing digitization of investigations, the growing importance of forensic science, and emerging areas of investigative practice like open source intelligence (OSINT) and blockchain forensics. His writing and research are focused on learning from those who know the subject best, including leaders and subject matter specialists from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS). As part of the Big Employers in Forensics series, Matt has conducted detailed interviews with forensic experts at the ATF, DEA, FBI, and NCIS.