According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), forensic laboratory science and crime scene investigator jobs in Fort Worth, Texas tend to pay well. As of May 2012, the approximately 290 forensic science technicians employed in the Fort Worth area averaged a yearly average salary of $49,850.Forensic scientists, classified by the BLS as biological scientists, averaged a yearly average salary of $82,090. Crime scene investigators in Fort Worth made an annual average salary of $77,150.
Most crime scene investigation and forensic laboratory science jobs in Fort Worth call for some type of certificate or degree, although as noted below, some also require relevant experience. The following degree programs in the forensic science discipline are offered in the Fort Worth area:
- Master of Science in Forensic Genetics
- Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
- Master of Science in Forensic Science
- Bachelor of Science in Crime Scene Investigation
Forensic Laboratory Science and CSI Job Requirements in Fort Worth
There are a variety of forensic science and CSI – related job opportunities in Fort Worth, each with its own educational and experiential requirements. For example:
- A Forensic Biologist working for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Forensic Criminalists Laboratory must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology or Forensic Science, although a Master of Science degree is preferred.
- A Property Clerk for the City of Abilene Police Department (about 140 miles west of Fort Worth) must have at least a high school diploma or GED, and sensitivity to crime victims as the job requires not only maintaining property evidence from crimes but also interacting with crime victims to help them recover lost property.
- A Crime Scene Technician for the City of College Station, Texas Police Department (about 140 miles south of Fort Worth) must have a high school diploma/GED and two years of experience in crime scene search and processing. An Associate Degree in a Forensic Science or CSI field is preferred.
- An Evidence Technician for the Williamson County Attorney’s Office in Georgetown (about 140 miles south of Fort Worth) must have a high school diploma/GED and six months of experience in records management or inventory control.
Employers of Forensic Laboratory Scientists and Crime Scene Investigators in
Fort Worth
Fort Worth Police Department Crime Laboratory & Property and Evidence Room – This division of the city’s police department was recently renovated and re-opened in 2010. The new facility improves the security of evidence and reduces the chances of contamination of evidence. It also allows for growth in the division for future forensic services that the division might undertake.
Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Forensic Criminalists Laboratory – Located in Fort Worth, this laboratory employs Forensic Biologists, Fingerprint Examiners, Trace Analysts and other forensic science professionals who perform forensic services on deceased persons for law enforcement agencies in the county.
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth – Center for Human Identification – This Center supports the National Institute for Justice and other organizations in providing technical and scientific support to crime laboratories, medical examiners and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Professionals at this Center help by testing family and reference samples to identify unidentified crime victims and missing persons through DNA profiles.