Forensic Jobs Quiz

Forensic Science Careers in Texas

• As of January 1, 2019, forensic technicians and analysts must be licensed in the state of Texas.
• There are several subcategories for forensic licenses, including Seized Drugs Analyst or Technician, Toxicology Analyst or Technician, and General Forensic Biology.

Crime Scene Technician

• Crime Scene Technicians respond to crime scenes and collect evidence.
• They typically require a high school diploma, but a college education is a plus.
• The average salary in Texas is $37,000 per year.
• Job skills include working around blood, vomit, feces, and decomposing human bodies.

Detective

• Detectives work for a police department and are required to be a licensed peace officer in Texas.
• They spend several years on patrol before being moved to the detective division.
• Job duties include investigating criminal cases, interviewing witnesses, and testifying in court.
• The average salary in Texas for detectives is $64,000 per year.

Fingerprint Analyst

• Fingerprint Analysts have specific training in examining and identifying fingerprints.
• They may be called to a crime scene, but most of their work is done in a laboratory setting.
• They require a high school diploma, and larger departments may require a college degree.
• They must also become certified in fingerprint analysis.
• The average salary in Texas is $48,000 per year.

Bloodstain Pattern Analyst

• Bloodstain Pattern Analysts respond to crime scenes and analyze blood drops, stains, and pools.
• Job duties include calculating impact angle, determining directionality, and evaluating area of convergence.
• They require a high school diploma, and larger departments may require a college degree.
• They can also become certified in bloodstain analysis.
• The average salary in Texas is $48,000 per year.

Document Examiner

• Forensic Document Examiners analyze documents for forgery and fraud.
• Job duties include comparing handwriting samples, examining documents, and deciphering damaged documents.
• They prefer a Bachelor's degree and certification in Questioned Documents.
• The average salary in Texas is $50,000 per year.

Arson Investigator

• Arson investigators are peace officers who have specialized training in the origin and cause of fires and explosions.
• There are two levels of investigators: Fire Investigator and Arson Investigator.
• The average salary in Texas is $57,000 per year.

ATF Special Agent

• ATF Special Agents work for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
• They investigate crimes relating to explosives and arson, as well as firearms, tobacco, and alcohol.
• To become a Special Agent, one must be between 21 and 36 years of age, pass a physical test, and pass a written exam.
• The average salary is $61,000 per year.

Forensic Toxicologist

• Forensic toxicologists identify drugs or other chemicals in a laboratory setting.
• Job duties include analyzing samples from bodily fluids and tissues.
• They require a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and specialization in Forensic Science.
• The average salary in Texas is $59,000 per year.

Forensic DNA Analyst

• Forensic DNA Analysts specialize in DNA analysis of samples found at crime scenes.
• Job duties include developing a DNA profile, matching with known person's DNA, and communicating findings to law enforcement.
• They require a Bachelor's degree in Biology or Chemistry and a minor in Forensic Science.
• The average salary is $63,000 per year.

Forensic Computer Technician

• Forensic Computer Technicians examine digital evidence and testify in court.
• They require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a similar field.
• The average salary is $73,000 per year.

Forensic Anthropologist

• Forensic Anthropologists identify human remains and determine the cause of death.
• Job duties include calculating height and age from bones, determining gender and ethnicity, and calculating post-mortem time interval.
• They require a Master's degree in Forensic Anthropology.
• The average salary is $62,000 per year.

Forensic Nurse

• Forensic Nurses are trained to give sexual assault examinations and document severe abuse cases.
• Job duties include collecting biological samples, photographing physical injuries, and testifying in court.
• They require a licensed nurse program, SANE certification, and 40 hours of clinicals.
• The average salary is not specified.

Forensic Odontologist

• Forensic Odontologists identify human remains from teeth and match bite marks on victims to suspects.
• They require a licensed dentist degree, completion of four years of dentistry school, and licensing exam.
• The average salary is $150,000 per year.

Medical Examiner

• Medical examiners are doctors who perform autopsies to determine the time, cause, and manner of death.
• They require a Bachelor's degree, completing medical school, and a residency program.
• The average salary in Texas is $177,000 per year.