FDLE Home / Forensics > Forensics Employment & Internship Information

Forensic Laboratories
Applicant Information

Interested in becoming a member of the Forensic TEAM?

Use our website to find basic information on the locations where have regional laboratories, and the disciplines we offer at each laboratory! With the exception of Biology/DNA, we do not offer every type of service at every location.  

Refer to MyFlorida - https://jobs.myflorida.com or contact the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287 for information regarding how to apply for positions. To apply for Forensic Positions on myflorida.com, choose the STEM button or filter by Department of Law Enforcement. All open positions with the FDLE can be viewed at jobs.myflorida.com/go/Florida-Department-of-Law-Enforcement/2817400/. We hope you will express interest in all positions for which you qualify, as getting a foot in the door with a crime lab agency can lead to future oppportunities. 

We have various levels of employment based on your interest and experience. Our minimum qualifications are listed in Job Descriptions and Minimum Qualifications and are in keeping with the requirements of ISO 17025 and the American National Standards Institute - National Accreditation Board (ANAB) for Forensic Service Providers

Crime Laboratory Technicians (CLT) work in our Evidence Intake Sections and DNA Database and are an essential part of the team working to ensure all policies and procedures are followed, evidence and database samples are properly packaged and labeled, and all documentation is in order. This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and prior responsible work experience, and college credit hours may offset the prior employemnt requirements.  

Forensic Technologists (FT) may work in a specific section or support multiple disciplines depending on academic qualifications and regional laboratory needs. FTs often perform maintenance of laboratory instrumentation, prepare and perform quality control checks of chemicals and reagents, and may perform some evidence handling and testing duties. FTs keep the crime lab machine running. These positions require a minimum of a bachelors degree, although some disciplines may be able to hire individuals with certain professional forensic certifications and prior accredited forensic laboratory experience. The requirement for a BS in science versus other fields such as criminology varies by discipline. See the MinQs. This is a great entry level position for a new college gradulate to obtain laboratory experience, and FTs are integral to the everyday operation of the crime laboratory. 

Crime Laboratory Analysts (CLA) work in a specific discipline but may be cross-trained, such as in Friction Ridge and Crime Scene. A minimum of a bachelors degree in physical, biological, or forensic science (not investigations) is required to work as an analyst in Seized Drugs (at least 25 credit hours in chemistry if not a chemistry degree), Toxicology (minimum 15 credit hours in chemistry), or Trace Materials (minimum 15 credit hours in chemistry). 
A minimum of a bachelors degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science (not investigations) is required for positions in Biology/DNA/DNA Database. These roles also specifically require academic coursework in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and statistics which must be demonstrated via transcripts and course syllabi. The comparative disciplines (Questioned Documents, Firearms, Friction Ridge, Impression Evidence) require a BS and 15 credit hours in science, but two years professional/technical work in an accredited laboratory or professional forensic certification may substitute for some disciplines. The Digital Evidence & Video Enhancement units require a BS plus 15 credit hours in science, computer science, math/physics, or a BS plus two years experience in digital investigations. See the MinQs. All CLA issue formal reports of findings and serve as expert witnesses in the criminal justice legal system, so ethics, technical writing, and public speaking skills are important. 

Training programs for CLA positions may require six months to two years depending on discipline and regional needs. All training is provided and includes both internal and external training, mentoring, and demonstration of competency prior to conducting casework independently. We support our analysts with annual continuing education opportunities and professional development. 🦴👣🧪👩🏾‍🔬🥼🥽🩸💊👨🏻‍🔬⚖️🔬🔫📱🧑🏾‍🔬💽📸📝☣️🧑‍🔬

If you are not certain what types of tasks Technologists and Analysts across different disciplines may perform, check out our Forensic Disciplines pages and also try some of the following links to professional organizations:

American Academy of Forensic Sciences | American Academy of Forensic Sciences (aafs.org)
The America Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ascld.org)
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science | NIST
 
For FDLE Forensic Internship Information and Applications, please visit: FDLE Internship Program (state.fl.us).
 


Florida Department of Law Enforcement Priorities

FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.