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nicola
Student
Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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what protocals does a CSI require to follow?
I want to study to become a CSI in criminal justice in grade 10 but I don't know which subjects to take. Can someone please direct me into the right direction?
#criminal-justice #law #college
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2 answers
Michelle Flahive-LeFebvre
Latent Print Examiner
63
Answers
El Paso, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Nicola, great question. Crime Scene Investigators must be very good at photography. So knowing how to use a digital camera (DSLR type) is a must. We do not use the point and shoot type cameras, so you have to know how to use the Manual setting on the camera. Photography for day and night time (low light and no light) is a great skill to have. Knowing photography is the back bone to CSI work. The camera is the main tool we use at a crime scene.
Another area we have to know is anatomy. Knowing the human body and bones, helps in CSI work, as we have cases where remains are found. In describing the areas where injury happen on our report. We also go to autopsies, so knowing the organs and important arties and veins is good. We may not have to explain what is happening during an autopsy, but if bullets or fragments are recovered, we need to be able to explain where they were found.
Knowing legal words and the process in how the legal system works is also very important. So having course work in basic government and the court system is also very helpful. As a CSI, you will have to go to court and testify to what you do in certain cases. Homicides, aggravated assaults and sexual offenses are usually the types of cases we go to court on. So understanding the legal terms used in court, the prosecutor's job and the defense's jobs help in knowing how the trial progresses. We get training on best practices when testifying in court and being able to communicate to the jury and judge, so they understand what we do.
So having classes in photography, biology, chemistry, and government is the basics. Anatomy, legal processes (Court system, Due Process, Moot Court) and any course work that deals with the legal system will be beneficial to becoming a Crime Scene Investigator. Much of the day to day and processing of a crime scene are taught on the job. So having a basic knowledge of photography, the human body and court/legal system is a good foundation on which to have going into Crime Scene Investigations.
Best of luck to you on your endeavors.
Another area we have to know is anatomy. Knowing the human body and bones, helps in CSI work, as we have cases where remains are found. In describing the areas where injury happen on our report. We also go to autopsies, so knowing the organs and important arties and veins is good. We may not have to explain what is happening during an autopsy, but if bullets or fragments are recovered, we need to be able to explain where they were found.
Knowing legal words and the process in how the legal system works is also very important. So having course work in basic government and the court system is also very helpful. As a CSI, you will have to go to court and testify to what you do in certain cases. Homicides, aggravated assaults and sexual offenses are usually the types of cases we go to court on. So understanding the legal terms used in court, the prosecutor's job and the defense's jobs help in knowing how the trial progresses. We get training on best practices when testifying in court and being able to communicate to the jury and judge, so they understand what we do.
So having classes in photography, biology, chemistry, and government is the basics. Anatomy, legal processes (Court system, Due Process, Moot Court) and any course work that deals with the legal system will be beneficial to becoming a Crime Scene Investigator. Much of the day to day and processing of a crime scene are taught on the job. So having a basic knowledge of photography, the human body and court/legal system is a good foundation on which to have going into Crime Scene Investigations.
Best of luck to you on your endeavors.
Mark A.
verification engineer
8
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Mark’s Answer
One of the best advice I can give you is to check with your local police department. A lot of them have "citizen police academy". They have an age limit so you might need to go with your parents. But, they cover different departments and that gives a sense of which area of CSI you want to specialize in. Then you can take courses accordingly.
I hope this helps!
I hope this helps!