Forensic Science Technicians
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 223 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 75% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
AI could do much of this on its own
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Very similar work+24% pay903 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 24% more—$103,800 vs your $83,960 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Law and Government
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Psychology
- English Language
Microbiologists
Very similar workslightly less pay100 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$83,363 vs your $83,960 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Biology
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- Operations Analysis
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Nuclear Technicians
Similar work+59% pay751 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 59% more—$133,415 vs your $83,960 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Public Safety and Security
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Physics
- Operations Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Troubleshooting