3 answers
paige
Student
Salisbury, Massachusetts
2
Questions
Asked
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What kind of specific jobs can you have relating to crime scene investigations and what kind of degrees do you need for the jobs?
I would like to be able to have a job in crime scene investigations but i'm not sure what to major in, in college or what different jobs there are for me to possibly have in the future.
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3 answers
Michael W. Blanchette
Law Enforcement Professional - Experienced Auto Theft, Fire & Insurance Fraud Investigator
12
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Michael W.’s Answer
Many police departments across the country send certain police officers and detectives to specific training, if they are given a special assignment by the chief of police or his/her designee in the department.
For example, during my career I was assigned to some special task forces (auto theft, arson and explosives, sexual assault, crime scene and DNA evidence collection ect) , and was sent for special training for each assignment.
If crime scene investigation specifically intrigues you and you want a job in law enforcement as a police officer and investigate crime scenes eventually, you should major in criminal justice and at least minor or take a certificate program in SCIENCE. You can also go back to school and obtain a science degree at your own pace. Most special assignment openings are posted and they pick the best qualified candidates.
If you are NOT interested in being a police officer, but, want to be involved in Crime Scene Investigation, many states (like Massachusetts) send all collected evidence to the State Police Laboratory for analysis. This includes items to be fingerprinted, rape kits from hospitals, items needing blood and bodily fluid analysis, guns ect. Many of the personnel who work at these State Police Labs are civilian Scientists, not sworn police officers. These scientists are responsible for many cases being solved, even though they never see the actual crime scene!!
Good Luck!
Best Wishes...
-Michael-
For example, during my career I was assigned to some special task forces (auto theft, arson and explosives, sexual assault, crime scene and DNA evidence collection ect) , and was sent for special training for each assignment.
If crime scene investigation specifically intrigues you and you want a job in law enforcement as a police officer and investigate crime scenes eventually, you should major in criminal justice and at least minor or take a certificate program in SCIENCE. You can also go back to school and obtain a science degree at your own pace. Most special assignment openings are posted and they pick the best qualified candidates.
If you are NOT interested in being a police officer, but, want to be involved in Crime Scene Investigation, many states (like Massachusetts) send all collected evidence to the State Police Laboratory for analysis. This includes items to be fingerprinted, rape kits from hospitals, items needing blood and bodily fluid analysis, guns ect. Many of the personnel who work at these State Police Labs are civilian Scientists, not sworn police officers. These scientists are responsible for many cases being solved, even though they never see the actual crime scene!!
Good Luck!
Best Wishes...
-Michael-
Matthew Noyes
Criminal Forensic Investigator
7
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Hi Paige!
I'll try to answer your question in two parts-- what kind of degree/experience do you need to be a crime scene investigator and what other options are out there that are that are similar to crime scene?
There are a few different routes to go if you are interested in being a crime scene investigator. The route that will work best for you will depend on your personal goals and the structure of the police agency at which you are employed (or wish to be employed).
1.) You can pick a school with the goal to become a police officer, work as a sworn police officer, specialize in crime scene investigation and evidence collection, then transition to a role that does crime scene full time (a sworn crime scene investigator)
or
2.) You can go to school with the goal to become a crime scene investigator then move directly into a CSI position (a civilian crime scene investigator)
There are pros and cons to both tracks:
If you become a sworn police officer first and try to transition into crime scene investigation:
Pros:
-a criminal justice degree is easier to obtain than a hard science degree (you can get almost any degree to be a police officer but criminal justice is most common)
-you will get a lot of great experience regarding crime and evidence being a sworn police officer
-sworn CSI's often make more than civilian CSI's
Cons:
- as a sworn officer you work at the will of your Police Chief and can be moved at any time for any reason
-it may take several years (if ever) to have an opportunity to transition to a sworn CSI
-many agencies are moving away from sworn CSI's and replacing them with civilian CSI's
If you decide to go to school to be a crime scene investigator:
Pros:
-you can leave school with a great knowledge of crime scene investigation
-you won't have to wait to get into the field like a sworn CSI
Cons
-often to be competitive you will need a biology/chemistry/physics/forensic science degree (these are hard work)
-often paid less than sworn CSI's
-you often will need certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) to work for many agencies as a civilian
Are there other paths out there to become a CSI? ABSOLUTELY! However these are the most common scenarios I've seen from my coworkers.
There are several disciplines in forensics including biology, microanalysis (trace evidence), firearms/tool mark analysis, latent print examination, and toxicology. Most of these roles require a biology/chemistry/physics/ or forensic science degree-- if you are interested in working for a forensic lab that completes these tasks make sure you complete the correct college classes to coincide with their lab certification.
Good luck! I hope this was helpful.
Matt
I'll try to answer your question in two parts-- what kind of degree/experience do you need to be a crime scene investigator and what other options are out there that are that are similar to crime scene?
There are a few different routes to go if you are interested in being a crime scene investigator. The route that will work best for you will depend on your personal goals and the structure of the police agency at which you are employed (or wish to be employed).
1.) You can pick a school with the goal to become a police officer, work as a sworn police officer, specialize in crime scene investigation and evidence collection, then transition to a role that does crime scene full time (a sworn crime scene investigator)
or
2.) You can go to school with the goal to become a crime scene investigator then move directly into a CSI position (a civilian crime scene investigator)
There are pros and cons to both tracks:
If you become a sworn police officer first and try to transition into crime scene investigation:
Pros:
-a criminal justice degree is easier to obtain than a hard science degree (you can get almost any degree to be a police officer but criminal justice is most common)
-you will get a lot of great experience regarding crime and evidence being a sworn police officer
-sworn CSI's often make more than civilian CSI's
Cons:
- as a sworn officer you work at the will of your Police Chief and can be moved at any time for any reason
-it may take several years (if ever) to have an opportunity to transition to a sworn CSI
-many agencies are moving away from sworn CSI's and replacing them with civilian CSI's
If you decide to go to school to be a crime scene investigator:
Pros:
-you can leave school with a great knowledge of crime scene investigation
-you won't have to wait to get into the field like a sworn CSI
Cons
-often to be competitive you will need a biology/chemistry/physics/forensic science degree (these are hard work)
-often paid less than sworn CSI's
-you often will need certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) to work for many agencies as a civilian
Are there other paths out there to become a CSI? ABSOLUTELY! However these are the most common scenarios I've seen from my coworkers.
There are several disciplines in forensics including biology, microanalysis (trace evidence), firearms/tool mark analysis, latent print examination, and toxicology. Most of these roles require a biology/chemistry/physics/ or forensic science degree-- if you are interested in working for a forensic lab that completes these tasks make sure you complete the correct college classes to coincide with their lab certification.
Good luck! I hope this was helpful.
Matt
Lana Soyfer
Executive Recruiter
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Lana’s Answer
Degrees in Criminology or Psychology can help to find a role in Crime Scene Investigations. I would think a role in the Police/Detective or FBI office can lead you in the right direction.
Good luck!
Good luck!