How is the job market in forensic science?
At the moment, the prospects are good and getting better. The biggest push is in the area of DNA typing, and many of these jobs open up with private rather than public (government) entities. A huge backlog of DNA evidence has accumulated and is increasing by the day. It will take hundreds if not thousands of forensic scientists to tackle this backlog. Even in traditional forensic science and criminalistics, the market isn’t bad. The only “gotcha” to be aware of is the fickle nature of government spending, particularly at the state level. Recessions hit state and local government harder than at the federal level. As a result, some years are good, some not so good. Patience and persistence in the job search, combined with a realistic attitude, flexibility, and an early start, are your best guarantees of success.
