Entrace exam preparation

The Forensic and Technical Police Technician (TPTS) works both in police laboratories and in field units located throughout the national territory (mainland France and overseas departments and territories).

Main duties:

• Contribute to criminal investigations and help establish the truth;
• Carry out forensic assignments entrusted by their supervisor, a judicial police officer (OPJ), or any other judicial authority;
• Search for and analyze traces and evidence to identify offenders;
• Take part in technical examinations related to criminal, delictual, or terrorist offences;
• Provide operational support to police officers during searches, medico-legal autopsies, judicial reconstructions, mass casualty incidents, and other major events;
• Collect fingerprints, palm prints, and DNA samples from suspects for comparison and for inclusion in national identification databases;
• Conduct forensic examinations upon request from investigating judges in various fields of criminalistics (fingerprint and genetic analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, digital forensics, ballistics, micro-trace analysis, etc.).

The entrance examination is open to any candidate holding a baccalauréat (high school diploma) or an equivalent qualification, and who is at least 18 years old on the date of the first test (except in cases of exemption).

• Hold a baccalauréat or a Level IV diploma, or a qualification officially recognized as equivalent under the provisions of Decree No. 2007-196 of 13 February 2007 (except in cases of exemption);
• Be at least 18 years old on the date of the first examination;
• Be of French nationality (candidates in the process of acquiring French nationality may apply, but their application will only be validated if nationality is granted before the written examinations);
• Be of good character, with a clean criminal record (record No. 2) or one without any mention incompatible with the duties of the position;
• Be physically fit to perform the required duties;
• Enjoy full civil rights;
• Have fulfilled national service obligations, including participation in the Journée Défense et Citoyenneté (JDC, formerly JAPD).

Applicants under 25 who have not yet completed their JDC must provide a provisional certificate of participation issued by the National Service Center. No proof is required for candidates over 25 years old.

The Forensic and Technical Police Technician (TPTS) entrance exam is among the most demanding in the French civil service. The number of applicants is very high, while the number of available positions is often below 10%, sometimes even under 5%. In 2021, during the first TPTS exam, more than 4,000 candidates applied for only 94 available positions. But don’t worry—you’ve got this!

The exam consists of two main stages: eligibility and admission.

Eligibility stage
This stage includes two written tests, followed by psychometric assessments:

• Analysis of a general-interest text: this test assesses the candidate’s ability to identify and analyze information contained in a given text. Candidates must then produce a written essay related to the issue raised in the source text. Duration: 2 h 30 – Coefficient 2 – Any score below 5/20 is disqualifying.
• Scientific test: multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions, and/or problem-solving exercises based on a science curriculum including mathematics, biology/earth and life sciences, and chemistry (equivalent to a high school science specialization level). Duration: 2 h – Coefficient 3 – Any score below 5/20 is disqualifying.
• Psychometric tests: designed to assess whether the candidate’s psychological profile is compatible with the duties of forensic police work. Duration: 2 h – not graded.
• Candidates who successfully complete this stage proceed to the oral admission phase.

Candidates who successfully complete this stage proceed to the oral admission phase.

Admission stage
This stage includes two oral examinations:

• Interview with the panel: this test involves a presentation by the candidate and allows the examiners to assess the applicant’s skills, aptitudes, and motivation for the role. The panel has access to the results of the psychometric tests (interpreted by a mandatory psychologist) and to the detailed curriculum vitae submitted in advance, which should highlight both academic and extracurricular achievements. Duration: 25 minutes (including 5 minutes of presentation) – Coefficient 5 – Any score below 5/20 is disqualifying.
• Optional foreign language test: a conversational examination in one of the following languages—English, German, Spanish, or Italian. The chosen language must be specified at registration and cannot be changed after the application deadline. Duration: 15 minutes – only points above the average score of 10/20 are counted.

FORENSEEK provides comprehensive, fully tailored support to help you prepare for the Forensic and Technical Police Technician entrance exam.

Behind this training program are Forensic Support Officers, Technicians, and Engineers with extensive field experience and in-depth knowledge of the forensic police recruitment process—as former candidates, examiners, and jury members. Like you, we once faced the challenge of preparing for one of the most demanding civil service examinations. Our goal was the same as yours: to maximize our chances of success. From that experience, we developed a custom-designed training program.

By choosing the FORENSEEK program, you gain access to a complete set of refresher courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and French, combined with numerous exercises and full mock test simulations.

Once you’ve successfully passed the written exams and the stress of waiting for results is behind you, it’s time to move on to the oral examination preparation phase.

To help you do so, we provide reference materials detailing the new organization of the French National Police, the structure and functioning of Forensic and Technical Police units, and the main national forensic databases used in investigations. You’ll also discover the wide range of forensic specializations within the French forensic police, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, odorology, and bloodstain pattern analysis.

To ensure your best performance at the oral stage and to help you approach the exam with confidence, you’ll benefit from continuous support throughout your subscription, guided by a dedicated FORENSEEK mentor. Together, you’ll participate in mock oral sessions, the most effective way to build confidence and fluency.

Don’t face your future alone—our goal is your success!