How To Start A Career In Crime Scene Investigation
If you Want the Thrill and Challenge of Being the First one to Assess a Crime Scene, a Job in Crime Scene Investigation is for you
Crime scene investigation is such a large spectrum of responsibilities that transcend simply analysing crime scenes, so if the recent trend in tv programming has sparked your interest in this field, find out the exact role of a crime scene investigator and how to get there. The job will constantly challenge you and put you in a diversity of situations that you have to handle, and there is a high degree of stress and danger associated with it. For the sacrifice though, it is a very rewarding, stable career choice that will earn a starting salary of between $20,000 and $50,000 a year, depending on different factors like your level of education, amount of experience and facility you work for. It is, like many criminal justice careers, very competitive, and although there will be some growth in the field due to advances in forensic technology leading to new entry level positions, they will be tough to get and you need to be adequately trained to qualify.
Recommended Degrees to Study
A bachelor's degree is absolutely necessary and the minimum requirement to be eligible for the job, but it may not be enough. Studies in criminal justice and physical science are the leading, most recommended areas to focus for this field, but additionally, some units may require you to also be a trained police officer or obtain a masters degree in science as well. Criminal justice degrees at both the bachelors and masters level can easily be found in online schools, even with specializations in certain areas, so check out places like Kaplan University and South University who also have specialized crime scene investigation bachelors degrees.
Job Duties
Your life as a crime scene investigator will be busy and you can expect to be on-call at different hours of the day or night to be called in whenever a crime happens that you need to investigate. You will be called to the scene of home invasions, burglaries, murders and sexual assaults, and you will be expected to assess the scene, collect evidence, take photographs, write up detailed reports on findings, view autopsies and testify in court when needed. There are many levels and obligations of a CSI, so daily activities can range greatly. Crime scene investigation is the first step in solving a crime, and so a crime scene investigator needs to be diligent and thorough to start the process and find the criminal.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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