Crime scene investigator school

Crime scene investigators (CSI), including evidence technicians, crime scene analysts, or forensic investigators, are responsible for identifying, collecting, and documenting the physical evidence found at a crime scene. Crime scene investigations and forensic lab work requires highly educated individuals with a background in forensic science, the natural sciences, and the criminal justice system.

Most law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories expect job candidates will hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, with the most relevant areas of study being in forensic science and crime scene investigations. Those interested in this line of work may obtain a degree or certificate through a technical school; however, most seek their education through schools with a criminal justice department that offer degrees with a concentration in forensics and crime scene investigations. A criminal justice degree with a concentration in forensics or crime scene investigations provides a course of study that covers three critical areas: forensic science, technology, and law enforcement.

Forensic science and crime scene investigations degrees at the baccalaureate level prepare graduates for careers in criminal investigations, crime scene investigations, crime scene analysis, as well as graduate-level studies.

Criminal justice and forensics programs may focus on a specific area of forensic science, such as ballistics, blood spatter or DNA evidence, and are well suited for higher-level CSI positions within local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Coursework within a typical forensic science bachelor’s degree includes: advanced math, chemistry, biology, psychology, evidence collection, sociology, and courtroom presentation.

Extensive, In-Service Training

Although education is an important component for achieving a career as a crime scene investigator, on-the-job training is, perhaps,

What steps can you take to become a Crime Scene Investigator or Forensic Scientist? We have outlined the four steps you should take to get one of these fascinating careers: Learn, Prepare, Apply and Test.

Step #1: Learn about the job.

What does a Crime Scene Investigator do? What skills, knowledge and abilities are required? What education and experience is needed to qualify for the job?

The answers depend on the exact job you apply for and the agency that offers the job. Read the job summaries of the job openings listed on the Employment page. This will give you an idea of the variety of responsibilities the employee will have as well as the minimum requirements to apply for the job.

Also, read over the material on the Crime-Scene-Investigator.net (this website). There is a variety of information that will help you understand the job of a Crime Scene Investigator. Watch the video Traits of a Successful Crime Scene Investigator to see if you are a good candidate to be a Crime Scene Investigator. One article, Duty Description for the Crime Scene Investigator, by Mike Byrd of the Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit, gives a good description of what a Crime Scene Investigator does on the job.

One of the best things you can do is to contact agencies in the geographical area you wish to work and find out what their Crime Scene Investigators do on the job, what their minimum requirements for applying are, and how often they have job openings.

Are there Crime Scene Technician jobs available?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, a "forensic science technician" is a person employed to "collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations" (this would include crime scene technicians who work in the field and technicians who work in the crime laboratory). The Bureau's Occupational Outlook Handbook, states: "Employment of foren

Prerequisites

1. Applicant must be a law enforcement officer/agent with arrest authority in the prevention, detection, apprehension, detention and/or investigation of felony and/or misdemeanor violations of federal, state, local, tribal, or military criminal law.

2. Applicant must have successfully completed a basic criminal investigation training program.

3. Applicant must have some field experience investigating a variety of criminal offenses and crime scenes.

4. Applicant must currently perform or have been selected to perform as their primary duty specialized and full-time forensic science support to criminal investigations.