Current page: Becoming a forensic scientist | Step by Step Guide
Interested in becoming a forensic scientist in the UK? Discover the benefits, qualifications, and different routes you can take to pursue a career as a forensic scientist.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What forensic scientists do
- The different types of forensic scientist
- Why become a forensic scientist
- Routes to becoming a forensic scientist in the UK
- Frequently asked questions about becoming a forensic scientist
Key facts
- The average starting salary of a forensic scientist is £18,000 (National Careers Service)
- Experienced forensic scientists can earn up to £45,000 (National Careers Service)
- You may be expected to work on call at short notice
- There are three main routes to becoming a forensic scientist: university degree, apprenticeship and applying directly
What do forensic scientists do?
As a forensic scientist you’ll investigate and examine contact trace material related to crimes. You'd then present your findings in a formal written statement or report. You may have to attend court as an expert witness to provide your evidence. The evidence you present could either support the defence or prosecution in both civil and criminal investigations.
Not all forensic scientists will be involved with crime scene work or reporting. You may choose to work in the laboratory as a forensic scientist.
A forensic scientist also performs biological, chemical and microscopic analysis on evidence taken from crime scenes.
Your daily duties as a forensic scientist could include:
- Collecting evidence and recording findings from crime scenes or accidents
- Working with teams and external agencies such as the police
- Examining results of DNA analyses of substances, including blood, body fluids, hair and fibres from clothing
- Analysing and interpreting results and data
- Applying different chemical or biological techniques
- Presenting your findings in courts of law
- Researching and developing forensic techniques
Types of forensic scientist
Your daily duties as a forensic scientist depend on the area of forensic science you want to work in. The main areas of forensic science are:
- Biology – your work could be connected to crimes against people, for example, assault, rape and murder. You’d be responsible for DNA testing and examining hair, blood and clothing fibres.
- Chemistry – your work could be connected to crimes against property, for example, burglary and arson. You’d be responsible for examining substances like paint, glass or chemicals.
- Drugs and toxicology – You’d be responsible for restricted drug testing, including analysing urine and blood for alcohol and investigating for the detection of poison.
Why become a forensic scientist?
You won't be spending all day in an office when you work as a forensic scientist. The day to day job can be incredibly varied. You might spend one day conducting lab tests and another using problem-solving skills to look for evidence. The job will be fast paced and you'll be responding to unusual situations, sometimes involving high-profile crimes.
With a degree in forensic science there are many roles you can go into beyond a forensic scientist. You can also work across multiple industries, including law enforcement, healthcare, finance and computing. Graduates have gone on to work as:
- DNA testers
- Drug tester
- Crime scene investigators
- Fingerprint officers
- Toxicologists
- Criminal intelligence analysts
Studying a forensic science degree will also give you plenty of transferable skills if you ever chose to pursue a different career path. These skills include:
- Analysis
- Communication
- Data interpretation
- Numeracy
- Presentation skills
Forensic scientists play a vital role in public safety. As a forensic scientist you'll investigate a crime scene, collect evidence and determine possibilities to help solve a crime. The evidence you collect may contribute towards a guilty verdict that results in the imprisonment of a dangerous criminal.
Routes to becoming a forensic scientist
There are three main routes to becoming a forensic scientist in the UK:
- University
- Degree apprenticeship
- Direct application
To become a forensic scientist, you can study an undergraduate degree or postgraduate qualification in:
- Forensic science
- A related subject such as biological science, chemistry, medical science or physics
Competition for jobs in forensic science is high. It might help to choose a university with a degree accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
Some universities have dedicated facilities such as fake crime scenes that resemble scenarios you might come across as a forensic scientist. This will help you apply your learning to real-world scenarios, helping to prepare you for your future career.
You can study the following accredited undergraduate degrees at the University of Central Lancashire:
- Forensic Science Foundation Year, BSc
- Forensic Science, BSc
- Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, BSc
A full-time forensic science degree will typically take 3 years to complete.
Entry requirements for a forensic science degree
Depending on the institution, you’ll typically need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject to pursue postgraduate study
Always check the entry requirements for the course and institution you’re applying to.
Postgraduate study
Due to the level of competition for forensic science jobs, you could consider studying a postgraduate degree to boost your job prospects.
You can study the following postgraduate degrees at the University of Central Lancashire:
- Applied Forensic Psychology, MSc
- DNA Profiling, MSc
If you wanted to learn as you earn, you could do a degree apprenticeship to become a forensic scientist. A degree apprenticeship Level 6 takes around three years to complete.
Entry requirements
Always check the entry requirements for the apprenticeship and institution you’re applying to as they will vary between providers.
If you have a lot of lab experience and have qualifications in science, you could apply directly to work as a forensic scientist with a forensic service provider.
Frequently asked questions about becoming a forensic scientist
What GSCEs you'll need to have depends on the institution you are applying to.
You'll typically need:
- 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including Maths and English
Some institutions may require you to have GCSEs in science too.
If you are applying to study a degree in Forensic Science, you will also need A Levels or equivalent.
Depending on the institution, you’ll typically need:
- 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including chemistry
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject to pursue postgraduate study
Always check the entry requirements for the course and institution you’re applying to.
There are three main routes you can take to become a forensic scientist:
- Studying a degree at university
- A degree apprenticeship
- Direct application
Some of our forensic science graduates have gone on to:
- Study a masters
- Become the Head of CSI at Lancashire Constabulary
- Work for one of the largest forensic science providers and DNA testing companies in the world
- Work as a Forensic Operations Manager at Durham Constabulary
According to the National Careers Service, the average starting salary of a forensic scientist is £18,000. An experience forensic scientist can earn up to £45,000.
Forensic scientists help to identify and analyse criminal evidence. A career in forensic science requires many skills, such as:
- Analysis
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Data interpretation
- Deductive reasoning
- Numeracy
- Problem-solving
- Presentation skills
If you want to study at university to become a forensic scientist, it will typically take 3 years to complete your degree if you study full-time.
If you choose you to take on further study and do a postgraduate degree, this will typically take another year of full-time study or up to 3 years part-time.
To summarise, becoming a forensic scientist is an incredibly varied career and with plenty of opportunities for career progression.
If you have questions or want to find out more about becoming a forensic scientist, chat to our team.
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Forensic ScienceCourse
Forensic Science, BSc (Hons)Course
