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How exposed to AI is a Forensic Science Technician?

Of the 21 tasks O*NET lists for forensic science technicians, 1 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 14 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)CriminalistCSI (Crime Scene Investigator)Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)Forensic Science ExaminerForensic ScientistForensic SpecialistLatent Print Examiner
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
21
tasks rated for this occupation
34%
hold a degree, from a survey of 27
17k
people do this job in the US
59 of 60
least protected in science

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

1
  • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques

Only with software built on top

6
  • Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes
  • Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence
  • 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
  • Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers
  • Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred

Cannot be sped up

14
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity
  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings
  • Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations
  • Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus
  • Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation
  • Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work
  • Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques
  • Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases
  • Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints
  • Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes
  • Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition
  • Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark
  • Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes
  • Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.