Job Description

Forensic Scientist will work with the police to help solve crimes, they may be asked to give impartial scientific evidence in a court of law. They will collect samples such as body fluids, hair, fibres, or fragments from a crime scene and take them for analysis which may help in identifying a suspect or victim or provide other valuable information to help solve the crime.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a laboratory scientist higher or degree apprenticeship.

It will help if you do your apprenticeship with a company that provides forensic science services, or with a police force that has its own in-house lab facilities.

You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• forensic science
• a related subject like chemistry, biological science, physics or medical sciences

It may help to choose a university qualification accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Direct application

You can apply directly to forensic services providers if you've got a lot of lab experience, and qualifications in science, especially chemistry.

Career tips

If you want to specialise in recovering data from computers and mobile phones, you'll need relevant experience and qualifications. Useful subjects include computing, electrical engineering, electronics or physics.

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) has more information about careers in forensic science.

Career Path and Progression

With experience, you could move into management and direct other forensics staff as a forensics manager or casework examiner.

You could also work as a reporting scientist, acting as an expert witness in court.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Police Officer
• Forensic computer analyst

Required Skills

• An excellent analytical and enquiring mind
• Attention to detail
• A logical and methodical approach
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to work as part of a team which could consist of scientists and police
• The ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Salary Range

£20,000 to £60,000