Crime Scene Investigator

Job Opportunities

• Projected job growth for a crime scene investigator will grow much faster than average, by 9% to 17% to 2014.
• graduates of applied science technology programs who are well trained on equipment used in government laboratories will have the best opportunities.
• As the instrumentation and techniques used become increasingly more complex, employers are seeking individuals with highly developed technical and communication skills.
• A crime scene investigator who works for State Public Safety Departments should experience favorable employment prospects.

Work environment

A crime scene investigator work under a wide variety of conditions:

• most work indoors, usually in laboratories, and have regular hours.
• can work irregular hours to monitor experiments that cannot be completed during regular working hours.
• often are exposed to human body fluids and firearms.
• working conditions pose little risk if proper safety procedures are followed.
• collecting evidence from crime scenes can be distressing and unpleasant.

Basic job skills

• Computers often are used in research and development laboratories, so strong computer skills, especially in computer modeling are needed as a crime scene investigator.
• A crime scene investigator should be able to work well with others, because teamwork is common.
• Organizational ability, an eye for detail, and skill in interpreting scientific results are important.
• A high mechanical aptitude, and analytical thinking are all important characteristics.
• Communication skills are important: a crime scene investigator is often required to report findings both orally and in writing.
• Knowledge and understanding of legal procedures also can be helpful for a crime scene investigator.

A crime scene investigator:

• investigates crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence from a crime scene.
• often specializes in areas such as DNA analysis or firearm examination, performing tests on weapons or on substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids to determine their significance to the investigation.
• practices proper collection and storage methods to protect the evidence.
• prepares reports to document findings and the laboratory techniques used.
• provides information and expert opinion to investigators.
• gives testimony as an expert witness in criminal court cases, on specific laboratory findings by identifying and classifying substances, materials, and other evidence collected at the scene of a crime.
• works closely with other experts or technicians.

Requirements

There are several ways to qualify for a job as a crime scene investigator:

• Many employers prefer a crime scene investigator who has at least 2 years of specialized training or an associate's degree in applied science or science-related technology.
• Employers' preferences vary, so a crime scene investigator may have a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science or have taken several science and math courses at 4-year colleges.
• Some schools may offer a bachelor's degree program in forensic science.
• You may earn your bachelor-of-science degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or genetic engineering with an emphasis on forensic science or criminology.
• You may earn a bachelor-of-science degree with an emphasis in a specialty area, such as criminology, pathology, jurisprudence, investigation, odontology, toxicology, or forensic accounting.
• In contrast to some other science technician positions that require only a 2-year degree, crime scene investigator positions usually require a 4-year degree to work in the field.
• A solid background in applied basic chemistry, physics, and math is vital for a crime scene investigator.