Georgia Bureau of Investigation
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is an independent, statewide agency that provides assistance to the state's criminal justice system in the areas of criminal investigations, forensic laboratory services, and computerized criminal justice information. The Division of Forensic Sciences furnishes scientific support to the Criminal Justice System of Georgia. The GBI offers interesting and exciting career opportunities as a Forensic Specialist in various forensic disciplines.
Forensic Specialist (Entry- Level): Learns to perform laboratory examinations, scientific analyses and comparisons on physical evidence submitted by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for investigative and legal purposes.
Responsibilities:
- Trains to conduct scientific analyses on evidence submitted to the laboratory using protocols established by the Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS).
- Trains to protect the chain of custody and integrity on all evidence received and processed.
- Learns to prepare written reports with results of scientific examinations conducted.
- Learns to communicate with law enforcement and judicial system concerning evidence submitted.
- Trains to follow all risk management practices as set forth in the DOFS Safety policy.
- Maintains a consistent, customer-focuses orientation in order to ensure services provided meet internal and external contacts' needs.
- Works on 24-hour call, as necessary.
Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. NOTE: All Forensic Specialist positions require the successful completion of at least two college science courses. The job vacancy announcement will contain any specific educational and/or experience requirements for the position
Salary: $35,569.36 - $59,101.13, commensurate with education and experience.
Benefits: The GBI offers a comprehensive selection of employee benefits, including the opportunity to earn vacation time, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays per year. Other benefit options include: 401(K)/retirement investment plan, health, dental, disability, and life insurances, and career development/training opportunities.
APPLICATION/HIRING PROCESS:
Any vacancies for Forensic Specialist will be posted on the GBI website (www.gbi.georgia.gov) under Employment Opportunities as openings become available. Unsolicited applications/resumes will not be accepted. To apply for an advertised Forensic Specialist vacancy, applicants must submit two (2) copies of the State of Georgia Employment Application, which can be downloaded from GBI’s website, and two (2) copies of a college transcript. Consideration for employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory result of a GBI background investigation (including criminal, credit and driver’s history checks), polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening. Please visit our website for more information regarding the application process as well as information on internships and other career opportunities or call the GBI Human Resources Office at 404-270-8335.
FORENSIC DISCIPLINES
GBI typically employs Forensic Specialists in the following disciplines:
| Discipline | Forensic Specialist/Crime Lab Scientist Minimum Requirements |
| Chemistry Analyzes items of evidence in order to determine the presence or absence of controlled substances. | Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from an accredited college or university, which included the successful completion of at least 40 semester (or 60 quarter) hours of chemistry coursework OR a forensic science degree, which included the successful completion of at least 40 semester (or 60 quarter) hours of chemistry coursework |
| Toxicology Analyzes blood, urine, stomach contents and tissues to establish whether traces of alcohol, drugs or poisons are present, and if so, in what quantity. | Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from an accredited college or university, which included the successful completion of at least 40 semester (or 60 quarter) hours of chemistry coursework OR a forensic science degree, which included the successful completion of at least 40 semester (or 60 quarter) hours of chemistry coursework |
| Trace Evidence Analyzes evidence containing paint, plastic, hair, fiber, glass, fractured materials, general materials, footwear and tire impressions and gunshot residue. | Bachelor’s degree in a natural, physical, or forensic science from an accredited college or university with the successful completion of at least 40 semester (or 60 quarter) hours of natural science, of which included at least 20 semester (or 30 quarter) hours of chemistry |
| Forensic Biology/DNA Performs serological and DNA analyses of physiological fluids for the purpose of identification and individualization. The type of material typically examined includes, but is not limited to blood, semen, saliva and dental pulp collected at crime scenes and from articles of physical evidence. | Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry from an accredited college or university that included the successful completion of at least 40 semester hours (or 60 quarter hours) of related major course work. Major course work must include the successful completion of at least nine cumulative semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) in the following required subject areas: Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. |
| Firearms/Toolmark Identification Examination of firearms and components, bullets and cartridge cases, distance determination tests, tool marks, serial number restoration, filaments and NIBIN database. | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university which includes the successful completion of at least two college science courses |
| Latent Prints
| Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university which includes the successful completion of at least two college science courses |
| Questioned Documents
| Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university which includes the successful completion of at least two college science courses |
GBI also employs Forensic Techs in the disciplines listed above. An entry-level Forensic Tech learns to perform a variety of laboratory operations including laboratory testing, quality control activities, scientific support functions, evidence controls, and administrative support functions to facilitate the analysis of evidence in criminal cases. The minimum qualification for a Forensic Tech is a high school diploma or equivalent. The salary range is $24,322.01/yr - $33,482.99/yr.
