Forensic Chemistry Student Distributing Samples

Career Paths

  • Crime Scene Analyst
  • Forensic Scientist - Toxicology
  • Formulation Chemist
  • Quality Control Chemist
Full List of Career Paths
Forensic Chemistry takes chemistry into the real world by preparing professionals to identify criminals using chemical analysis, attribute crime, and investigate and analyze chemical components for numerous applications.

The forensic chemistry concentration serves a critical role in addressing the growing need for professionals with specialized skills to investigate, analyze, and present evidence from microanalysis and drug analysis related to criminal activity. The forensic chemistry concentration helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and the scientific analysis of evidence in the laboratory by producing graduates with the necessary expertise in chemistry, data analysis, and law enforcement. By providing the ability to investigate and attribute crimes, these professionals contribute to the identification and prosecution of criminals, making the community safer for everyone. Private sector and governmental organizations also hire chemists with forensic science training to investigate/analyze chemical components for numerous applications. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions for forensic science technicians across the United States are projected to grow 13 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. An estimated 2,600 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

A recent report in the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed the 326 publicly funded forensic crime laboratories in the United States received 3.3 million requests for service in 2020; the result is high-employment opportunities in both the public sector and the private sector as the state crime labs often need to outsource some analyses. Public crime labs employ over 15,000 full-time employees and have approximately 1,500 unfilled vacancies each year.

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