Automatically apply for jobs with Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Forensic chemist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.,

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical forensic chemist skills. We ranked the top skills for forensic chemists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.4% of forensic chemist resumes contained ms as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a forensic chemist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 forensic chemist skills for your resume and career

1. Ms

Multiple sclerosis, MS, іѕ a сhrоnіс disease thаt аffесtѕ thе central nеrvоuѕ ѕуѕtеm, іnсludіng thе brаіn, ѕріnаl cord, and орtіс nerves. In MS, the іmmunе system attacks mуеlіn - the рrоtесtіvе lауеr that surrounds nеrvе fibers. Multірlе sclerosis саuѕеѕ mаnу different symptoms, іnсludіng vision loss, раіn, fatigue, аnd impaired coordination.

Here's how forensic chemists use ms:

Studied etching products via ICP/MS for classification of chemicals and elemental composition through calculation and mathematical adjustments.
Interpret NMR, MS, and FTIR for the characterization of isolated products.

2. GC

Here's how forensic chemists use gc:

Controlled, repaired, maintained and calibrated of HP-5880 II GC instrumentation and performed glassware cleaning/decontamination for multiple extractions.
Performed analysis of organic contamination using GC and GC/MS instrumentation.

3. Laboratory Equipment

Here's how forensic chemists use laboratory equipment:

Calibrate scientific instruments and recommend the requisition of laboratory supplies and the acquisition of new laboratory equipment.
Maintained and operated laboratory equipment for drug analysis purposes.

4. FTIR

Here's how forensic chemists use ftir:

Instrument focus on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
Utilized wet chemistry methods to perform qualitative analysis of physical properties and active ingredient profile, performed cleaning validations with FTIR.

5. Gas Chromatography

Here's how forensic chemists use gas chromatography:

Provided chemists and technicians training on gas chromatography techniques and interpretation of data.
Performed forensic chemical analysis on human blood, urine and tissue using gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and Infrared spectroscopy.

6. Liquid Chromatography

Here's how forensic chemists use liquid chromatography:

Determine concentration of preservatives in wet wipe lotion by reserve-phase high performance liquid chromatography with UV.
Conducted High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) sample analysis, dissolution chemistry and impurity profiling.

Choose from 10+ customizable forensic chemist resume templates

Build a professional forensic chemist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your forensic chemist resume.

7. Chemical Analysis

Here's how forensic chemists use chemical analysis:

Functioned in an operational role that focused on performing chemical analysis to identify controlled and non-controlled substances and dangerous drugs.
Responded to clandestine laboratories for scientific assistance, evidence collection, and chemical analysis.

8. Test Results

Here's how forensic chemists use test results:

Analyze laboratory test results and provide accurate data to authorized personnel.
Maintained laboratory database by inputting test results.

9. NMR

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique allows observing magnetic fields around an object. The NMR equipment requires monitoring and ensuring their correct and safe utilization.

Here's how forensic chemists use nmr:

Maintained daily and monthly NMR operation to include liquid nitrogen and liquid helium fills, shimming, and calibration.
Assisted with Agilent install of new 400 NMR.

10. LC

Here's how forensic chemists use lc:

Operate GCMS for:, Oral Fluid, LC, THC, Urine specimens Fill solvents (ethylacetate ext.)

11. XRF

Here's how forensic chemists use xrf:

Involved in test method creation for XRF and actively seeking proficiency for new testing.
Perform analytical testing including TGA, DSC, SG, MFR, and XRF.

12. Lims

A LIMS - Laboratory Information Management System is a software solution to improve laboratory productivity and efficiency with modern support of laboratory operations to address the challenges of data and sample management, automation, and regulation of laboratories from around the world and thus maintaining workflows and standardized testing and reporting procedures.

Here's how forensic chemists use lims:

Utilized Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to prepare and manage technical documents.
Ensured accurate patient processing for requested data entry in LIMS and Horizon.

13. Analytical Instrumentation

Here's how forensic chemists use analytical instrumentation:

Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation.
Maintained and operated GC/MS, FTNMR, IR-Spec, and many other Analytical Instrumentation.

14. Marijuana

Here's how forensic chemists use marijuana:

Blood alcohol analysis Marijuana identification Training
Completed in-house training in the areas of Marijuana, Basic Powder, Pharmaceuticals, and Hallucinogenic analysis.

15. Routine Maintenance

Here's how forensic chemists use routine maintenance:

Perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and document quality control charts within the laboratory.
Performed routine maintenance and ensured functional calibrations on the instrumentation and equipment.

5 Forensic Chemist resume examples

Build a professional forensic chemist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your forensic chemist resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Forensic Chemists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on forensic chemist resumes?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Skills to identify and solve problems.

What soft skills should all forensic chemists possess?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Problem-solving skills. When presented with a problem, knowing where to go to find information to solve it.

What hard/technical skills are most important for forensic chemists?

Dunwei Wang Ph.D.

Margaret A & Thomas A Vanderslice Chair in Chemistry, Professor of Chemistry, Chairperson of Chemistry Department, Boston College

Chemistry is a diverse field. As a foundational discipline, it enables several sub-fields and supports emerging new fields. As one example, our graduates become experts in medical research, health care, and scientists and engineers in many other fields. Depending on the different career goals, what is important can be drastically different. Generally speaking, doing bench work (either in the lab or on a computer) should be a good skill to have at graduation.

What forensic chemist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Peter Rosado

Associate Professor of Chemistry, Georgia College and State University

I tell students to call their "gap" year more of a "Developmental" year. If a graduate desires to have such a year, they should focus on their whole goal, which means developing their professionalism and having other experiences. For example, travel to another country, learn a new language, intern at a company outside of the U.S., get involved further in the field of study. What stands out in candidates is how they made use of their time, skills that they acquired, and how they could weave them into the position they are applying for. That the candidate has had experiences outside of their comfort zone tells me as an employer that they are flexible and can adapt to new and unpredictable situations.

What type of skills will young forensic chemists need?

Dr. Brian Augustine Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry and Chair, High Point University

Students always need foundational technical skills. In addition to skills specific to chemistry and biochemistry, strong communication and interpersonal skills such as writing, speaking, and collaboration are vital, as are quantitative reasoning skills such as data analytics, statistical analysis, and programming.

Do you want to know more?

List of forensic chemist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a forensic chemist resume and required skills for a forensic chemist to have include:

Ms
GC
Laboratory Equipment
FTIR
Gas Chromatography
Liquid Chromatography
Chemical Analysis
Test Results
NMR
LC
XRF
Lims
Analytical Instrumentation
Marijuana

Routine Maintenance
Laboratory Instruments
HPLC
Sops
Proficiency Testing
Crime Scenes
Extraction
Law Enforcement Agencies
Instrumental Analysis
Physical Evidence
Court Testimony
GCMS
Criminal Cases
Analytical Techniques

Raman
Analytical Processes
Dangerous Substances
Federal Courts
Drug Chemistry
DEA
Analytical Findings
TLC
Immunoassay
Analytical Tests
DNA
Biological Samples
UV-Vis
Dangerous Drugs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Forensic Chemist
Forensic Chemist Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs