Forensic Biologist – Education, Career & Salary

Forensic biology can prove an ideal career path for professionals passionate about criminal justice and natural science. Forensic biologists are tasked with collecting evidence from a crime scene and analyzing it for clues to collect details. From this objective process, forensic biologists piece together theories about who or what is at fault in a crime. By examining bodily fluids, bones, hair, insects, plants, and animals at a crime scene, a forensic biologist prepares a detailed analysis of their findings, which can be used in legal cases to determine the cause of a crime.

While this is a great career for those who enjoy outdoor and laboratory tasks, forensic biologists should be prepared for the messy work of collecting clean samples of unpleasant materials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), forensic science technicians—a closely related career to forensic biologists—can specialize in crime scene investigations or laboratory analysis.

In the field, forensic biologists collect biological samples from outdoor areas, clothing fibers, or surfaces such as weapons at a crime scene. In a laboratory, they evaluate the collected evidence using microscopes and DNA analysis techniques. Creative skills such as sketching a reconstructed crime scene and photographing evidence may also be useful for a forensic biologist.

Those with senior-level experience in forensic biology are called upon to provide expert testimony in criminal cases. Beyond murder cases, forensic biologists can also assess the scope of damage from a natural disaster such as an oil spill. For these tasks, clear written and communication skills are essential to ensure the process of collecting and analyzing evidence follows the ethics of criminal justice.

Read on to learn more about the rewarding opportunities available in forensic biology careers.

Meet the Expert: Hillary Eaton, PhD

Dr. Hillary Eaton is the department chair of biology and chemistry and associate professor of biology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She earned a doctorate from Oregon State University and has enjoyed a career as a research microbiologist in both academia and government agencies.

Dr. Eaton has over a decade of experience working in microbiology, pathology, toxicology, and veterinary medicine and supporting the military through research focused on bioremediation, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental and microbial forensics. Her research interests are in environmental forensics, which includes monitoring explosives used by the military and how the parent compounds and metabolites are bioremediated by the microbial populations in ecosystems; she also studies environmental DNA (eDNA) by monitoring different environments for microbial and vertebrate populations through metabarcoding and next-generation sequencing technologies.

ForensicsColleges.com: What do you wish the public understood about forensic biologists?

Dr. Eaton: Forensic biology is a subcategory of forensic science. In forensic biology, we are specifically trained to characterize and analyze biological evidence for serology classification and DNA analysis.

While DNA is currently considered the “gold standard” for proving one person was in a particular place or had contact with a specific object, many environmental factors can affect how well this process goes. Without proper collection, transportation, and storage of the material, even the best forensic biologist may not be able to get a complete profile from DNA that has been contaminated or degraded.

In addition, sometimes there is no DNA evidence from a crime scene, and then forensic analysts have to turn to other items of trace evidence, such as fibers, paint chips, plant material, etc. This is different than what is usually portrayed in Hollywood, which has actually created a real-world phenomenon dubbed the “CSI effect” and refers to juries expecting there to be DNA evidence in every case.

I think it is important to inform the public of all the amazing things that forensic biology does! Most people picture only human criminal cases where these techniques are helpful, but we can apply these molecular biology and chemistry techniques to a wide variety of other areas as well because all living organisms on the planet have DNA or RNA as genetic material.

For example, we use the same techniques as in criminal cases for mass disaster victim identification, such as plane crashes or terrorist attack victim identification, missing persons, or to identify soldiers from war, human trafficking victims, etc. We can use similar techniques to identify plants, such as marijuana, and trace their origins.

Wildlife forensics uses these techniques for tracking worldwide black-market illegal product trade of plants and animals, which can lead to criminal prosecutions and more law enforcement being placed in areas of need. In my research, I have applied these techniques to wildlife management and conservation efforts to monitor specific or more general taxa, such as vertebrates in a particular ecosystem, and this can also detect invasive species just by sampling soil, water, or air.

As a microbiologist, I use these techniques to monitor viruses, bacteria, archaea, and fungi in ecosystems, outbreaks, or even the human microbiome. Forensic investigative genetic genealogy has recently had great success in identifying decades-old cold case victims by using pedigree analysis and family lineage markers in publicly accessible databases to identify relatives of the unidentified victims, which ultimately leads to being able to name the victims and provide the families with closure. We can even use it to monitor pure cell lines, culture collections, and genetic anomalies.

ForensicsColleges.com: What advice would you give to aspiring forensic biology students?

Dr. Eaton: I advise high school students to take a full year of general biology, chemistry, physics, and math through pre-calculus or trigonometry. This will set you up well to be prepared for these college courses and also help you figure out if you enjoy being in the lab in the first place. This is mainly a laboratory career, with some fieldwork, so it helps to get comfortable in that environment. Real-world analysis is much more complicated than as portrayed on TV. As I mentioned above, quite a bit of chemistry is involved in DNA analysis, but don’t be afraid because chemistry can be fun! Some students decide they would rather not see the worst side of humanity daily, so remember all of the other fields to which you can apply this degree, and you are sure to find something you love.

Career Outlook for Forensic Biology

When considering any career pathway, one important factor is to research projected career growth. While the BLS doesn’t report occupational data for forensic biologists, the closely related career of forensic science technicians is growing much faster than the national average. It is estimated that between 2023 and 2033, 2,500 new positions will be created, representing 14 percent growth in that decade (BLS 2024).

Unsurprisingly, the states with the highest numbers of employed forensic science technicians are those with large metropolitan areas. Data from the BLS (May 2023) report shows these states as the top five largest employers of forensic science technicians:

• California: 2,390employed
• Texas 2,220
• Florida 2,030
• Arizona: 860
• New York: 700

What’s more, the BLS shows the top-employing industries for forensic science technicians for May 2023:

• Local government (excluding schools and hospitals): 10,770 employed nationwide
• State government (excluding schools and hospitals): 4,610
• Architectural engineering and related services: 630
• Colleges, universities, and professional schools: 490
• Medical and diagnostic laboratories: 300

Forensic Biologist Salary

As is the case with all occupations, salaries depend on various factors such as levels of education, years of experience, and cost of living in a particular region. As previously mentioned, the BLS doesn’t keep career-specific data for forensic biologists, but it does have plenty of salary data for forensic science technicians, a closely related occupation. Among the 17,520 forensic science technicians working around the US, the BLS (May 2023) found an average annual salary (annual mean wage) of $71,540. A breakdown of the salary percentage estimates is as follows:

• 10th percentile: $41,410
• 25th percentile: $50,480
• 50th percentile: $64,940 (median)
• 75th percentile: $84,720
• 90th percentile: $107,490

Salary.com (2024), a salary aggregate site, shows career-specific data for forensic biologists. It states that the average forensic biologist salary in the United States was $56,491 as of August 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $46,310 and $70,392.

Job seekers looking for work in different cities across the country may find a cost-of-living calculator helpful when considering salaries. Sources such as MERIC (the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center) help job seekers compare the cost of living between cities and states.

How to Become a Forensic Biologist

Step one: Graduate from high school or earn a GED (four years). High school students aspiring to pursue careers as forensic biologists are advised to take as many natural science and mathematics courses as possible, as well as public speaking and criminal justice courses, if available. Students are advised to keep their GPAs high to gain admission into a reputable and accredited four-year college or university.

Step two: Enroll in an undergraduate program (four years). Students seeking admission to an undergraduate degree program should look for colleges or universities with at least regional accreditation from an entity recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

To find the highest-quality forensic biology programs, students should seek out programs accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), the leading accreditation organization for forensic science degree programs.

An example of a FEPAC-accredited forensic biology program is the bachelor’s of forensic science degree with a concentration in forensic biology offered by Virginia Commonwealth University. This four-year program combines a firm scientific background with hands-on experience. Suppose enrollment in a FEPAC-accredited program is not an option. In that case, aspiring forensic biologists are advised to major in biology and pursue a minor in criminal justice studies, and pursue internship opportunities in a crime laboratory.

Step three: Earn a forensic science certificate (optional, six to 12 months). An undergraduate certificate program is designed for students who have earned a BA or BS in chemistry, biology, or natural science. Florida International University (FIU) offers a FEPAC-accredited undergraduate certificate for students majoring in chemistry or biological sciences from FIU who want to pursue a career in a forensic science laboratory.

A non-accredited certificate is available for FIU BA students or community members who hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biological sciences, or natural science from another institution. Prerequisite courses in calculus, statistics, biology, and chemistry must be completed or verified before pursuing certificate coursework.

Step four: Gain professional experience (timeline varies). Graduates with a forensic biology or biology degree and certificate are advised to gain experience through paid work or internship opportunities during or after their undergraduate studies. While uncommon, some crime scene investigation positions require police academy training, details that can be investigated at a local city level.

Step five: Attend a graduate program in forensic biology (optional, two years). Forensic biologists wanting to further their careers or specialize in tracks such as DNA analysis are advised to pursue a master’s degree in forensic biology.

An example of a graduate-level forensic biology program is the master’s of science in forensic sciences program at Oklahoma State University. This FEPAC-accredited 30-credit program features a concentration in forensic biology and DNA. Students seeking admission to this program are encouraged to have a degree or college-equivalent coursework in biology, genetics, or molecular biology as a foundation for this death scene investigation-focused degree program. Forensic biologists with master’s degrees can benefit from opportunities for advancement in crime laboratories.

Step six: earn a doctoral degree in forensic science (optional, two to seven years). While doctoral programs in forensic biology are rare, it is more common to find forensic science doctoral programs specializing in a concentration in biology.

West Virginia University has FEPAC-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs and offers a PhD program in forensic science. PhDs from this program are prepared for work in academia, government, or private industry as forensic science laboratory specialists. Doctoral students in this program must take five additional courses besides the master’s of science coursework and complete a doctoral dissertation.

Forensic Biology Professional Certification

As with most professions, certification requirements for forensic biologists vary by state and laboratory specialty. Most laboratories require technicians to earn laboratory-specific certification to ensure they are knowledgeable in laboratory procedures.

Numerous forensic science organizations provide certification. The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) recognizes ten certifying forensic science organizations, four of which are relevant to forensic biology:

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)
• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)

For example, the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) offers the Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT). This general knowledge exam comprises 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in three hours. Academic and professional laboratories recognize the FSAT, and students can take it to demonstrate their scientific knowledge to prospective employers or academic departments.