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Digital Forensics
Investigator
What Does a
Digital Forensics
Investigator Do?
A digital forensics investigator is
a detective who solves crimes
that involve computers, the Inter-
net, or mobile devices. “It’s kind
of like
CSI
but with computers,”
says Chris Kimmel, referring to the
popular TV drama. Kimmel earned
his degree in digital forensics and
talked about the work in a video by
the Career Zoo. Other titles for this
role include forensic computer ex-
aminer or computer forensics ana-
lyst, specialist, or technician. This
job links two separate industries:
criminal justice and cybersecurity.
On the criminal justice side,
digital forensics investigators be-
long to a larger category of foren-
sic science technicians, or people
who analyze evidence in order to
help solve a crime. In cybersecu-
rity, the job overlaps with the role
of cyber incident responder, as
At a Glance
Digital Forensics
Investigator
Minimum Educational
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree
Personal Qualities
A passion for justice, attention
to detail
Certification and Licensing
GCFA, GCFE, CHFI, and
more
Working Conditions
Often requires travel and court
appearances
Salary Range
Around $42,927 to $114,750
Number of Jobs
Around 15,400 in the United
States as of 2016*
Future Job Outlook
Growth of 17 percent through
2026*
* Numbers come from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics listing for forensic science
technicians, a category that includes digital
forensics investigators.
