JOB REPORT / 19-4092 · 24 TASKS

Forensic Science Technicians.

Can AI do the work of Forensic Science Technicians?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

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How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods…
Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources…
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Forensic Science Technicians work. It covers the 20 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

20 of 24 tasks reviewed

This job has 24 core tasks. We went through 20 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Forensic Science Technicians actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
AI DOES
Drafts report sections, formats findings, and suggests standard phrasing for lab methods
YOU DO
Verify every detail and take legal responsibility for the final report
TASK 02
Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.
AI DOES
Scans files, detects patterns, flags suspicious data, and organizes digital evidence automatically
YOU DO
Apply legal standards, interpret context, and take responsibility for findings in court
TASK 03
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
AI DOES
Speeds up fingerprint matching by scanning and comparing ridge patterns against large databases
YOU DO
Handle the physical chemicals, process the actual evidence, and make the final judgment call on a match
TASK 04
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
AI DOES
Scans lab data, suggests substance matches, and flags anomalies in test results
YOU DO
Apply expert judgment, ensure legal defensibility, and take responsibility for official findings
TASK 05
Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
AI DOES
Flags gaps, inconsistencies, and unclear language in reports
YOU DO
Apply deep forensic science knowledge to judge technical validity
TASK 06
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
AI DOES
Drafts training guides, quizzes, and explainer content on forensic techniques
YOU DO
Demonstrate hands-on skills and judge trainee readiness in person
TASK 07
Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
AI DOES
Searches ballistic databases, flags pattern matches, and summarizes reference data on bullet types and firearm signatures
YOU DO
Physically examine the bullet, run lab tests, and form expert conclusions that hold up in court
TASK 08
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
AI DOES
Flags connections between evidence items, suggests timeline patterns, and helps visualize spatial relationships in data
YOU DO
Apply physical expertise and professional judgment to build a legally defensible reconstruction
TASK 09
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
AI DOES
Runs trajectory simulations, flags residue patterns in data, and pulls up similar case references
YOU DO
Collect physical samples, interpret ambiguous evidence, and stand behind findings in court
TASK 10
Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
AI DOES
Flags visual similarities between tool marks and objects using image analysis
YOU DO
Make the final call and stand behind it in court
TASK 11
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
AI DOES
Calculates concentrations, suggests protocols, and flags preparation errors
YOU DO
Physically measure, mix, and verify each solution in the lab
TASK 12
Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.
AI DOES
Compares impression images to databases and flags potential matches
YOU DO
Collect physical evidence, judge quality, and make final match decisions
TASK 13
Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
AI DOES
Converts measurements into scaled digital diagrams and suggests sketch layouts
YOU DO
Physically walk the scene, judge what matters, and capture accurate real-world details
TASK 14
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
AI DOES
Summarizes research on forensic methods, drafts questions to ask experts, and organizes case notes
YOU DO
Show up to the real conversation and apply your professional judgment
TASK 15
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
AI DOES
Analyzes patterns in lab data, flags matches in databases, and helps interpret spectroscopy or DNA sequencing results
YOU DO
Handle samples carefully, use your trained eyes and instruments, and make judgment calls about what the evidence actually means
TASK 16
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
AI DOES
Helps organize, tag, and enhance photos after they are taken
YOU DO
Show up on scene and decide what to capture and how
TASK 17
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
AI DOES
Helps track maintenance schedules, log equipment data, and flag calibration issues
YOU DO
Stay present in the lab to physically run, clean, and fix the machines
TASK 18
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
AI DOES
Looks up serial number databases and legal status records quickly
YOU DO
Handle the firearm, use physical tools, and apply restoration techniques in person
TASK 19
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
AI DOES
Helps prepare clear explanations of technical findings and practice answering likely questions
YOU DO
Show up, speak under oath, and respond to unexpected questions in real time
TASK 20SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
AI DOES
Suggests likely compounds and analysis methods
YOU DO
Interpret results and testify with certainty
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Forensic Science Technicians
SOC code: 19-4092
Tasks reviewed: 20 of 24

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $72,060 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $84,010 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 19,120
Employed in Colorado: 510
Job outlook: +12.8% by 2034 · ~2,900 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.

Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.

Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.

Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.

Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.

Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.

Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.

Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.

Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.

Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.

Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.

Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.

Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.

Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.

Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.

Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.

Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.

Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.