Forensics career options

The Bachelor of Forensic Science offers four majors: Biology, Chemistry, Crime Scene Investigation and Digital Forensics. Depending on your chosen major, career opportunities in forensic science include:

  • Forensic biologist

  • Biomedical scientist

  • Expert witness

  • Forensic trace evidence specialist

  • Analytical chemist

  • Science teacher

  • Lecturer or academic

  • Clinical toxicologist

  • Forensic toxicologist

  • Regulatory toxicologist

  • Forensic entomologist

  • Crime Scene Officer

  • Team leader in investigations

  • Forensic chemist

  • Forensic anthropologist

  • Research associate

  • DNA profiler or geneticist

  • Analytical technician

  • Private investigator

  • Biomedical or medical researcher

  • Pathologist

  • Forensics statistician

  • Environmental and chemistry scientist or manager

  • Legislative or policy advisor

  • Patent and evidence advisor

  • Digital forensics expert

  • Positions in federal and state police services, eg drug detection and analysis, working for customs, defence, quarantine or Border Force.

Accreditation

Graduates from the Bachelor of Forensic Science are eligible for membership with the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) (chemistry major only) and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS).

[Dr Chadwick talking to camera]

[music playing]

My name is Dr Scott Chadwick and I’m a lecturer here at UTS and I lecture in first year chemistry and forensic science.

[student in laboratory looking into microscope, students examining fingerprint on computer screen, Dr Chadwick talking to class in laboratory setting, working with students]

I studied the Bachelor of Forensic Science way back in 2006 and from there I did my honours degree and then I continued on to my PhD here at UTS. During that time I was able to get involved in some teaching of some undergraduate subjects and from there I really enjoyed the teaching side of things as well as the research.

[chemistry trolley with various liquids being wheeled into lass, Dr Chadwick addressing the class, students conducting experiments in groups]

The most rewarding part of my job is really being able to interact with the students and see them grow as learners in the field of forensic science. So the best advice that I could give the students is to be open to all the different opportunities available here at UTS

[shot of crime scene tape, students conducting practice investigation]

So while you may start off wanting to go into a particular area or career, really opening up to new adventures and new experiences is what UTS offers their students

[Shot of UTS Tower building, Dr Chadwick in lab, Dr Chadwick talking to camera]

I’ve been here for 11 years, both as a student and a staff member. UTS is really a part of who I am, it’s a part of my DNA.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.