Strong competition for few forensic scientist positions
Competition for entry-level forensic science positions is strong.
Your best chance of getting a forensic science job is through the postgraduate traineeship programme run by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) and Auckland University.
ESR is the largest employer of forensic scientists in New Zealand, employing over 200. They have just two to three new positions available for forensic science graduates every year.
Most forensic scientists work for government organisations
Forensic scientists assisting crime investigations may work in one of a few organisations.
- ESR, a Crown research institute, provides forensic services to the New Zealand Police.
- The police directly employ specialists in civilian positions such as scene of crime officer, document examiner and fingerprint officer.
- Private laboratories and companies also employ or contract forensic scientists for civil work such as carrying out investigations for insurance companies, and criminal case reviews for criminal defence lawyers and overseas investigators.
- Forensic scientists who do research into forensic techniques work at universities or Crown research institutes.
