Mahalet
How do you become a Crime Scene Technician?
I have been trying to figure out the real steps to becoming part of the Criminal Justice area, but I would really like to focus on gathering evidence, investigation, etc. However, I do not want to go on the path of a patrol/police officer in order to obtain this job. Is there a path I can take without becoming an officer, but still becoming a Crime Scene Technician?
#crime-scene-investigation #criminal-justice #law-enforcement #csi #criminology
2 answers
Monte W. Spoor
Monte W.’s Answer
Referring to evidence gathering and investigating, I would assume you are looking for a career as a Crime Scene Analyst (Crime Scene Investigator).
Every major and some small police departments have Crime Scene Investigation units. Requirements for those units vary, some require you to be a dully sworn officer and other units hire civilians to handle the crime scene work. Most units require a level of college to be completed like an Associates degree or a Bachelors degree. Some units allow degrees in Criminal Justice but most are looking for degrees in science (biology, chemistry, forensic technology, forensic science, physical anthropology, physics, anatomy, or physiology). Each department is different but with accreditation there are standards that must be met, so education plays a big role in the hiring process.
I would recommend looking at different police department websites and locating their crime scene units/forensic science sections and see what the hiring requirements are, this will help you determine what you choose to major in when going to college. I always believe you should have a back up plan when attending college, so pick a minor you can fall back on as getting a job in forensics is challenging.
The following link ( https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lvmpd/classspecs?page=5 ) will take you to a job listing page with the police department I retired from after 30 years as a Senior Crime Scene Analyst. When you open the link, click on the link titled "Crime Scene Analyst I" this will take you to the job requirements for becoming a Crime Scene Investigator with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Look at the education requirements and all other functions to see if the job would be right for you. Look at the salary and then look at other police departments job descriptions to compare.
Here are a couple of professional links for you to research:
https://www.theiai.org/
https://www.forensicmag.com/
Good luck with your future endeavors!
Monte W. recommends the following next steps:
Laura Landaverde
Laura’s Answer
First you need to get some knowledge of the area and community colleges such as Alvin Community College has a Crime Scene Technician Certificate in which is 27 hours (9 classes) However, you can check on job listings such as a Crime Scene Cleanup Technician which some just require for you to have a High School diploma/GED