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Forensic Identification Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FORENSIC SUPERVISOR

Torrance, CA · On-site

$8.8K - $11K/mo

Forensic Identification Specialists work closely with detectives, patrol officers, and external agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and professional forensic services that uphold the highest ...

Forensic Identification Specialists work closely with detectives, patrol officers, and external agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and professional forensic services that uphold the highest ...

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Forensic Identification Specialist information

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$25.5K

$61.2K

$94.5K

How much do forensic identification specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic identification specialist in the United States is $61,156.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic identification specialist?

Forensic Identification Specialists are professionals who collect, analyze, and compare physical evidence from crime scenes to help identify suspects and solve criminal cases. Their work often includes processing fingerprints, photographing crime scenes, collecting biological samples, and documenting evidence with detailed reports. They work closely with law enforcement agencies and may be called to testify in court about their findings. Their expertise is crucial for ensuring that evidence is handled properly and maintains its integrity throughout the investigative process.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a forensic identification specialist?

To thrive as a Forensic Identification Specialist, you need a background in forensic science, criminal justice, or a related field, along with knowledge of crime scene investigation procedures. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, fingerprint analysis tools, digital imaging systems, and relevant certifications such as IAI (International Association for Identification) credentials is typical. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for accurately processing evidence and collaborating with law enforcement. These competencies ensure the integrity of evidence, support criminal investigations, and contribute to successful case resolutions.

What challenges do forensic identification specialists face when processing crime scenes?

Forensic Identification Specialists often encounter challenges such as preserving the integrity of evidence in unpredictable environments and working under time constraints. Crime scenes can vary widely in complexity, requiring adaptability and meticulous attention to detail to avoid contamination. Specialists must also coordinate closely with law enforcement and other forensic professionals, which demands strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, the emotional impact of certain cases can be significant, so maintaining professionalism and self-care is essential.

What is the difference between Forensic Identification Specialist vs Crime Scene Investigator?

AspectForensic Identification SpecialistCrime Scene Investigator
CredentialsForensic science degrees, certifications in fingerprint analysis or DNACriminal justice or forensic science degrees, crime scene processing certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, forensic labs, sometimes crime scenesCrime scenes, outdoor and indoor locations, labs
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, forensic labs, government agenciesLaw enforcement agencies, police departments, crime units
Primary FocusAnalyzing physical evidence, fingerprinting, DNA analysisCollecting evidence, documenting crime scenes, initial investigations

While both roles work closely within the criminal justice system, a Forensic Identification Specialist primarily focuses on analyzing physical evidence in labs, whereas a Crime Scene Investigator is responsible for collecting evidence at crime scenes. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in forensic science.

What cities are hiring for Forensic Identification Specialist jobs?

Cities with the most Forensic Identification Specialist job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Identification Specialist jobs?

For Forensic Identification Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Forensic Identification Specialist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,156 per year, or $29.4 per hour.

Forensic Identification Specialist

Washington, DC • On-site

$62K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate the decedent identification process, including contacting families, scheduling visual identifications, and facilitating documentation.

  • Receive and document inquiries from the public, law enforcement, medical facilities, and funeral homes, ensuring requests are handled appropriately and timely.

  • Obtain, review, and process decedent medical records and documents, and update medicolegal case information following identification.


Job description

Job Summary
This position is located in the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Office of the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Forensic Identification Unit (ID Unit). The Staff Assistant (Forensic Identification) is the agency's general point of contact for incoming calls and inquiries, coordinates the identification process, facilitates decedent releases, obtains, reviews, and processes decedent medical records and documents, and processes cremation and anatomical donation requests.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Forensic Identification Specialist receives incoming telephone calls, faxes, and walk in inquiries from the public, law enforcement agencies, medical facilities, and funeral home staff, triages these calls, documents, and inquiries appropriately, and ensures requests of the ID Unit are handled appropriately, completely and timely. The incumbent receives payments from family members, funeral directors, and others for cremation requests, proof of death forms and other documents, and documents and forwards such payments to the appropriate department within the agency.
Coordinates the decedent identification process. First, the Incumbent contacts the decedent's family members and friends to schedule visual identifications at the agency and to provide information about the identification process; facilitates the visual identifications occurring at the agency and provides assistance to family members and others in completing documentation required for decedent identification.; acts as an official witness as a photograph is presented for identification of the decedent. Provides family members with resources to seek grief counseling and burial assistance. Updates Medicolegal case information following a positive identification. Submit fingerprints to various agencies for identification. Once fingerprint results are received, update the medicolegal case information. Requests alias lists where discrepancies are encountered between the tentative name and the name associated with the fingerprint results.
Qualifications and Education
Specialized Experience is e xperience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
Licenses and Certifications
None
Working Conditions/Environment
The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as books, files, loose papers, and small parcels. The work is performed in an office setting and the documentation areas of the Mortuary Unit.
Other Significant Factors
Tour of Duty: This position requires rotating shifts; the agency operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Flexibility in scheduling is a requirement of the incumbent so that weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts can be covered as needed.
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0679-09
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Unit FAI-Local R3-11, and you may be required to pay a service fee (dues) through direct payroll deduction.
Essential Designation Statement: This position is designated as Essential pursuant to DPM Chapter 12 and will be required to report to work and remain in the event of inclement weather, a declared emergency or government closing.
Position Designation: The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations Suitability Safety Sensitive. This job is classified as safety sensitive due to the position's duties and responsibilities. Safety sensitive positions are positions of special trust that may be reasonably expected to affect the access to or control of activities, systems, or resources that are subject to misappropriation, malicious mischief, damage, or loss or impairment of control of communication.
Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.