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Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic Science Technicians score 39 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #434 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 21 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 15 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

39/ 100
Moderate
Rank
#434of 923 jobs
US workers
19,120BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$72,060a year
In real AI use
1 of 21tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

  • AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (5%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 15 (71%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 5 (24%)
  • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
  • Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Life, Physical, and Social Science occupations close to this one.

Questions about forensic science technicians and AI

Will AI replace forensic science technicians?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Forensic Science Technicians score 39 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #434 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 16 of the job's 21 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 5 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which forensic science technicians tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques".

Which forensic science technicians tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity"; "Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus"; "Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 21 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as forensic science technicians, and what do they earn?

About 19,120 people in the US, with median pay of $72,060 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

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