How To Become A Forensic Computer Examiner: What It Is and Career Path

What is a forensic computer examiner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Forensic computer examiners are a category of forensic science technicians. They work in law enforcement and specialize in computer-based crimes. Their job is to recover data from computers and computer data storage systems pertinent to a criminal investigation.

As a computer forensics examiner, you are responsible for examining digital technology to find legal evidence of criminal activity. Your services may be requested to uncover cases of fraud, identity theft, cyber terrorism, or even murder. For example, clients may call you to testify that an alleged murderer kept digital evidence of their crimes in e-mails, spreadsheets, or hard drives.

Suppose you are interested in becoming a computer forensics examiner. In that case, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests that a bachelor's degree in computer science is typically more helpful than a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Your primary goal is to learn how to navigate computer systems and recover lost data.

ScoreForensic Computer ExaminerUS Average

Salary

5.2

Avg. Salary $66,393

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.9

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.07%

Asian 10.40%

Black or African American 9.86%

Hispanic or Latino 16.78%

Unknown 5.94%

White 55.95%

Gender

female 27.17%

male 72.83%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a forensic computer examiner

Explore forensic computer examiner education requirements

Most common forensic computer examiner degrees

Bachelor's

57.2 %

Master's

19.2 %

Associate

16.2 %

Start to develop specific forensic computer examiner skills

Skills	Percentages
Digital Forensics	11.94%
Extraction	10.10%
FTK	9.02%
Computer Forensics	7.35%
DOD	7.33%

Complete relevant forensic computer examiner training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New forensic computer examiners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a forensic computer examiner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real forensic computer examiner resumes.

Research forensic computer examiner duties and responsibilities

Provide polygraph screening to members of the intelligence community (CIA, NRO, NGA, DOD, etc).
Access password protect and secure files.
Collect DNA samples for lab testing.
Prevent imminent disconnection of DoD network to U.S.

Prepare your forensic computer examiner resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your forensic computer examiner resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a forensic computer examiner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable forensic computer examiner resume templates

Build a professional forensic computer examiner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your forensic computer examiner resume.