Do you want to be a crime scene investigator? If you want to have a career as a crime scene investigator, of course you need to know what path that you have to go through and also the responsibilities that you will do.
Read also: 10 Primary Responsibilities of a Crime Scene Investigator
Becoming a Crime Scene Investigator
According to the Gwynedd Mercy University site, here are the ways that you have to go through if you want to be a crime scene investigator.
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You have to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field
You need to have background knowledge into the foundation of a crime scene investigator’s responsibilities. To get the knowledge, you need to earn a bachelor of science in criminal justice, bachelor of science in computer science, or a bachelor of science in biology. By getting one if these majors, it will prepare you with the knowledge that you need to succeed as a crime scene investigator. If you have a bachelor’s of science degree in one of these fields, you will be qualified to get a job after you graduate.
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You have to do on-the-job training
By having real-life work experience, you will be provided with the intricate know-how that employers are looking for when they are hiring you. If you have an internship or a job in the crime scene investigator field or the same, it will add to your educational background in this field and you will be a more desirable candidate when you apply for a job related to this field. Usually, employers are looking for 6 months to 2 years of experience in the field, but some employers may not need your experience. Instead, they may provide you with the experience when you start work with them. When you work there, you will have to collect evidence, process it and analyze the evidence and these are all the skills that you will get.
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You need to earn CSI certifications and State licensure
The requirements for state licensure as a crime scene investigator are different depending on the state. You are able to complete various certifications through the International Association for Identification (IAI) to be able to further your career depending on the crime scene investigator specialty that you want to master. Some certifications are forensic art, bloodstain pattern analysis, and forensic photography certifications.
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If you have higher education, it can provide you advancement opportunities
There are some people who can be crime scene investigators directly through the police force without getting their Bachelor’s degree and they only use their experience in the field. However, if you have a bachelor’s degree in this field and/ or relevant certifications, it will help you to further down the road
Skills That You Need to Have to be a Crime Scene Investigator
According to the Forensic Colleges site, if you want to be a crime scene investigator, which is also known as crime scene technician, forensic science technician, or crime scene analyst, it will pay to have a strong stomach and a sense of adventure. And according to the 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which is also explained on the Forensic Colleges site, here are the skills and personality traits that you need to have if you want to be a crime scene investigator.
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You need to have communication skills
As a technician, you will be often called to write reports together with law enforcement or other specialists. You will also be called to testify in court and you need to be familiar with the protocols of documentation. So, communication skills are needed for doing these tasks.
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You need to have composure
Sometimes, the nature of crime scenes is shocking. So, it is important for you to be able to maintain your presence of mind so that you will be able to do your jobs effectively. You will be required to be comfortable working with a range of crimes like sexual assaults, homicides, robberies, and other often graphic subjects.
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You need to have critical thinking and analytical thinking
As a crime scene investigator or crime scene technician, you need to match physical evidence from crimes such as fingerprints, DNA and many more, to databases of suspects. To be able to do these things, you need a knowledge of scientific tests and methods.
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You need to pay attention to detail
It is important for you to notice inconsistencies and subtle changes to crime settings. By noticing these things, it will help you to collect and analyze evidence.
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You need to have the ability of math and science
When you have to analyze crime scenes, it will require some background in statistics or physical sciences.
The Duties of Crime Scene Investigators
As a crime scene investigator, you have the responsibility for the initial evaluation of the scene. You will have to take photographs of the crime scene, fingerprint, forensic examination, and the collection of evidence like blood, hair, fibers, and paint samples. According to the Criminal Justice Profiles site, here are the duties and activities that a crime scene investigator has to do.
- You have to assess the crime scene.
- You need to prepare diagrams and sketches.
- You are required to take measurements.
- You have to take photographs of the crime scene.
- You have to write descriptions of the formal collection techniques.
- You have to be able to package and transfer evidence.
- You need to maintain technical equipment.
- You have to view and photograph autopsies.
- You have to summarize interpretation of evidence
- You have to provide expert testimony in a court of law.
- You have to enter, analyze and retrieve data on a computer.
- You have to verify the accuracy of data which are entered.
- You have to prepare investigative reports.
- You have to update records when these are needed.
- You have to use the criminal information database.
- You have to use word processing and spreadsheet software.
- You have to take part in briefings and conferences with police and law enforcement agencies.
- You have to take a continuing education course to continually update your skills.
- You may be required to teach crime scene investigation classes.
Those are the duties and activities that you will do if you become a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) according to the Criminal Justice Profiles site. So, do you still want to be a crime scene investigator?
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