Forensic Photographer

Also called: Crime Scene Photographer

Photographs crime scenes, evidence, and injuries with scientific precision.

A day in the life

Shoots a scene with scales in every photo, uses special lighting to reveal footprints, and builds a 3D scan of the room.

Pay over a career

Starting

$38k

Typical

$52k

High

$75k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate or bachelor's in photography or forensic science; IAI certification.

Ways in: 2-year college, 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Photography, Forensic Science.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. 3D scanners and drones capture scenes automatically; skilled lighting and court-ready images still need people.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Photography, Physics, Art.

• Yearbook or school paper photographer
• Law Enforcement Explorers
• Science Olympiad Forensics

Official data: O*NET occupation 27-4021.

More Forensic Science careers

• Forensic Science Technician
• Forensic DNA Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Forensic Pathologist
• Crime Laboratory Director
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Forensic Odontologist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Forensic Chemist (Drug Analyst)
• Latent Print Examiner
• Firearms & Toolmark Examiner
• Forensic Document Examiner
• Forensic Entomologist
• Wildlife Forensic Scientist
• Bloodstain Pattern Analyst
• Medicolegal Death Investigator
• Autopsy Technician
• Evidence Custodian
• Forensic Science Professor
• Trace Evidence Examiner
• Forensic Botanist
• Forensic Serologist
• Footwear & Tire Track Examiner
• Forensic Taphonomist

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.