Key takeaways
- The demand for forensic science and criminology jobs is high in the US with some roles having a higher than national average job growth rate.
- Forensic Science Technicians have a projected job growth rate of 14%, which is significantly higher than the national average of all occupations which is 4%.
- A report by the Council on Criminal Justice states that the United States has one of the highest homicide rates compared to other industrialized nations.
- To pursue a criminal justice forensics job, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field and some on-the-job training.
- Promising Forensic science and criminology jobs in the US include criminologists, forensic science technicians, Detectives, Crime Scene Investigators, and more.
- State or governmental organizations are typical employers of criminology, criminal justice, and forensic science jobs such as police departments, FBI, court systems, and so on.
The demand for forensic science and criminology jobs is steadily rising in the United States and has been for years. Nearly all roles in the field are growing at or higher than the national average job growth rate for all occupations of 4%. Positions such as Forensic Science Technicians show significant potential with a 14% projected job growth rate between 2022-2032 according to the United Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In this guide, we will explore some criminology, and criminal justice forensic science jobs in the US. We will also detail the required skills, educational level, and the average salary for forensic science and criminology jobs in the US.
What do forensic and criminology jobs entail?
Forensic science and criminology are both at the forefront of crime scene investigation. While the two have some similarities there are fundamental differences between the two fields. Where one is more analytical the other is technical and requires scientific skills. Here is more detailed description of each.
Forensic science
Forensic science involves the application of scientific principles and techniques to analyze crime scene investigations, providing scientifically irrefutable evidence to support legal proceedings. Here, forensic science technicians use a mix of applicable processes to crime scenes to provide answers to questions such as the time of death, cause of death, how the crime took place, and even who did it through various processes including:
- DNA testing
- Toxicology
- Fingerprinting
- Microscopy
- Fire debris analysis
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Firearms and ballistics
Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of crime. It is a broad field encompassing crime scene investigation, research, policy analysis, and more to identify the reasons behind criminal activities. Here, professionals examine each crime from various perspectives such as social, political, historical, and so on to understand what pushes criminals to act the way they do.
The field also includes the study of the criminal justice system, courts, corrections, law enforcement agencies, reactions to law, and so on to find areas for improvement, devise prevention tactics, and improve the overall criminal justice system. Moreover, professionals also use various analytical tools and techniques to identify correlations between factors, rate of crime, and so on.
Forensic science and criminology jobs in the USA
If you want to pursue jobs in the field of criminology, criminal justice, or forensic science, you will need a formal education such as a degree in criminology, a bachelor’s in criminal justice, or a BS in forensic science. A college education can open diverse career opportunities in fields such as crime scene investigations, criminal justice, law enforcement, policy analysis, and so on.
Even though crime rates in the United States at the end of 2024, especially the rate of violent offenses has reduced significantly over the last few years, the country still has one of the highest homicide rates when compared to other leading industrialized countries. According to a report by the Council on Criminal Justice, the need for evidence-based strategies for the prevention of violent crime is evident. Thus, a high job growth rate for qualified criminology, criminal justice forensic jobs, and qualified professionals in the field.
Some criminology, criminal justice, and forensic science jobs are:
- Criminologist
- Social worker
- Correctional officer
- Jury consultant
- Detective
- Forensic Scientist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Forensic Analyst
Let’s take a deep dive into some in-demand forensic criminology jobs in the USA. Here you will find job descriptions, required skills, and salary information for some of the most sought-after roles in the field.
Criminologist
Average annual salary: $58,163 per year
Criminologists assess crime and criminal activities to identify the purpose behind the crime and find ways to prevent repeat offenses. Their primary job responsibility is to study crime to identify crime patterns and use the findings to create policies and draft evidence-based solutions for the reduction and prevention of said criminal activities.
Criminologists work closely with law enforcement agencies, including police officers, detectives, correctional officers, probation officers, and other professionals such as psychologists to understand criminal behavior at a deeper level. They not only study the crime but also the mind of the criminal and their behavioral patterns, to create a criminal profile that law enforcement officers can use to identify potential criminals and get them the help they need.
Required education and skills
To become a criminologist, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. While a formal education in the field of criminology is the ideal qualification for a criminologist, a degree in sociology, psychology, or criminal justice with a major in criminology can also lead to a career in criminology. Through formal education, you will build the skills you will need to succeed as a criminologist such as:
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Data collection
- Data analysis
- Research
- Written and oral communication
Potential employers
You can seek a job as a criminologist in a variety of organizations from security and law enforcement agencies, and universities, to private and public organizations. Here are a few employing criminologists in the United States.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- State Police
- Drug Rehabilitation Institutes
- Juvenile Correctional facilities
- Courts
- Research Organizations
Detectives
Average annual salary: $74,910 per year
When we think of crime solving, the mind automatically envisions a detective as they are at the forefront of all criminal investigations. Their job is to investigate and solve serious crimes such as homicide, robbery, assault, theft, fraud, and other similar criminal activities. They do so by conducting interviews, analyzing evidence, chasing leads, trailing suspects, and so on to find the criminal. Moreover, a detective must gather evidence, find evidence, and present the court with irrefutable evidence to ensure a criminal pays for their crime.
Because there are a range of criminal activities, not all detectives can be good at solving all kinds of crimes. Thus, detectives, especially those employed in larger law enforcement agencies, choose a specialization area such as fraud, robbery, or homicide. The job of a detective is not just to find the criminal but also to ensure they end up behind bars so the focus is to find the criminal with solid supporting evidence and for that, they employ various techniques and processes.
Education and skills required to become a detective
The minimum required educational qualification to become a detective is a high school diploma. However, you can also choose to become a police officer after getting a college degree. The important thing is to complete the required training graduating from the agency’s training academy and completing the experiential learning requirements such as on-the-job training. Moreover, you need to meet physical fitness requirements along with educational qualifications to become a detective.
Potential employers
- Detective Agencies
- Local Police Departments
- Federal Bureaus
- Private Investigation Agencies
Forensic Science Technicians
Average annual salary: $64,940 per year
Forensic science technician has one of the highest projected job growth rates among all forensic criminology jobs at 14%. In comparison, the national average job growth rate for all occupations is at 4%. One major reason for the high demand is that forensic science is an incredibly important area of crime investigation.
Forensic science technicians are responsible for collecting evidence, documenting the crime scene, preserving and analyzing evidence, including laboratory analysis, interpreting results, preparing reports, and even testifying in courts as experts. The job of a forensic science technician is an essential one as for scientific evidence to hold weightage in the court, they must follow the proper procedure that meets the listed guidelines and standards.
Required education and skills
You will need at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a related field such as chemistry or biology with a concentration in forensic sciences. Moreover, you will need on-the-job training as crime scenes are gruesome and unpredictable. To ensure you do not damage the integrity of the crime scene or corrupt the evidence, training is an essential part of the field.
You can also choose to pursue a specialization in one area of forensic sciences such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting, ballistics, and so on. The exact skills required depend largely on your chosen area of specialization but here are a few you will need for all areas within the field.
- Technical skills – the ability to use relevant tools and technologies
- Attention to detail
- Analytical skills – data analysis, pattern identification, and so on.
- Laboratory skills
- Knowledge of genetics and genomics
Potential employers
The state or government organizations are the primary employers of forensic science technicians.
- Police department
- Morgues
- Coroners offices
- Hospitals
- Crime Laboratories
Crime Scene Investigators
Average annual salary: $64,774 per year
A crime scene investigator’s main responsibility is to extract every single piece of evidence possible from the crime scene. You will also be in charge of protecting gathered evidence from contamination until it reaches crime laboratories for testing and analysis. They are usually the first to arrive at a crime scene right after the police’s response to a reported crime.
Once at the crime scene, they document the scene, locate and preserve the evidence, gather forensic evidence, and package and submit the evidence. Additionally, a crime scene investigator aids criminal investigations, and legal proceedings by giving testimonies.
Required education and skills
To become a crime scene investigator, you need a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a degree in criminology with a concentration in forensic science. You will need an array of technical and analytical skills for the job which you will develop through a college degree from an accredited college and on-the-job training. Skills you will need include:
- Crime scene photography
- Crime scene processing
- Critical thinking
- Report writing
- Forensic science
Potential employers
Formerly, most crime scene investigators worked out of the police department and were often trained police officers. However, crime scene investigation is now a specialized field employing trained individuals with a scientific background. Aspiring CSI agents can seek employment opportunities in:
- Local police departments
- Crime Laboratories
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Drug Enforcement Agencies
- Private crime scene investigation agencies
Secure forensic science and criminology jobs with the right education!
A career in criminology and forensic science is not for everyone. However, there are evident signs that you are cut out for a career in criminology, then don’t be afraid to go for it. Regardless of which type of criminalistics job you seek, you need a formal education in a relevant field. If forensic science interests you, then search for a college degree accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. But if criminology is your calling, you can pursue a degree in the field or a degree in criminal justice or a related field such as sociology or even psychology.
There is no set educational path for a career in criminology as it is not a licensed profession, but a college degree in a related field and on-the-job training are prerequisites if you want to pursue criminalistics jobs. Start your career right, and get the ideal qualification for the field!