How to become a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
Crime Scene Investigators work alongside detectives on various criminal cases. They are responsible for securing a crime scene and skillfully collecting and then analyzing all evidence which can be used for convicting a criminal. Most Criminal Scene Investigators or CSIs will have backgrounds as private investigators or police officers but over the years, more and more civilians have been joining the field.
Duties of Crime Scene Investigators
Crime Scene Investigator duties include tracing all forms of evidence such as hair, tissue, fibers, and of course, fingerprints. After collecting such evidence, they will conduct DNA analysis, toxicology screenings, and ballistics testing. Some CSIs are experts in specialized areas of forensics such as bloodstain pattern analysis. They are also responsible for documenting all crime-scene evidence through sketching and photography.
Crime Scene Investigator Education and Training
Typically, Crime Scene Investigators are trained by the law enforcement agency that has hired them. Based on the ICSIA or the International Crime Scene Investigators Association, their training will differ depending on the agency but will usually include in-class instruction, practical or on-the-job experience or both. Also according to the ICSIA, most CSIs are also police officers.
Some positions in criminal justice will only require a high school education or a GED, but those who pursue bachelor’s degrees or certifications will be more marketable. Requirements for becoming a Crime Scene Investigator will vary depending on the agency but just like any company hiring, it is preferred that the applicants will have some formal education.
An aspiring CSI can pursue formal education in the fields of Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Investigation or other related fields. Such programs will cover relevant topics such as trace evidence collection and analysis, forensic photography, and fingerprinting.
Programs within Crime Scene Investigation and other related fields are available from levels of certificate to a master’s degree. To determine which degree you should take, you must know which branch of crime scene investigation you would like to pursue as a career.
It is also an option to earn a degree or certificate in Crime Scene Investigations online. There are colleges with respected programs available through distance learning. Such online programs can be completed in a shorter span of time as compared to traditional classroom-setting programs
To prepare for a Crime Scene Investigator position, one may pursue an internship with the local police department. Once can get practical experience by examining crime scenes, and collecting and analyzing evidence. Working side by side superiors will be very educational as well.
Crime Scene Investigator Career Prospects
Crime Scene Investigators in 10 major cities in the U.S earned an average annual salary within the range of $37,000- $62,000 in July 2009. CSIs in LA had the biggest earnings followed by those in Denver and Houston. Salary is dependent on location, education, training, and work experience.
