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Crime is an undesirable but sadly unavoidable aspect of most, if not all, societies. When it comes to solving crimes, the police and the criminal justice system rely on an army of forensic investigators and specialists to collect and process various forms of evidence that are used to prosecute criminals.
Don’t let the glitz and glamour they show on TV about these professions fool you, though; these career paths aren’t easy! It takes the most competent professionals to pull it off and make it in this crucial field.
Let’s explore some facts about CSI and Forensic Science degrees and career pathways.
How Can You Get Started in Crime Scene Investigation?
Like with other aspects of law enforcement, states can have their own set of requirements for entering a career in crime scene investigation, but a Bachelor’s in Crime Scene Investigation is a typical minimum requirement, after which CSIs work under supervision by their superiors.
In terms of academic requirements, there are a number of related bachelor’s degrees that may be considered, particularly Criminal Justice degrees, as well as Forensic Science.
More importantly, many Crime Scene Investigators are also sworn police officers. An academic background in Law Enforcement can lead to the CSI pathway as well.
Essential Skills of a Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Investigators typically work on the field and have unpredictable workdays, as they are called to respond to violent crime events at any time of day during their shifts. Together with other law enforcement officers and detectives, crime scene investigators are tasked with securing and cordoning off the crime scene in order to preserve as much collectible evidence as possible.
Depending on their specialization (if any), CSIs must be proficient in one or many techniques in collecting, cataloging, and preserving evidence. This includes:
- DNA evidence
- blood
- fibers
- ballistics evidence
- fingerprints
- other physical items
CSIs also extensively document crime scenes using photography and may also talk to witnesses to gather additional evidence.
To do all these, good CSIs are meticulous and rigorously follow well-established procedures, as well as have impeccable attention to detail.
Jobs for Crime Scene Investigation Degree holders
CSIs can occupy any number of specialist positions in a crime scene investigation team. The composition of a CSI team varies and is dependent on a number of factors, such as budget. Accordingly, typical salaries for crime scene investigators vary by state; for example, the average pay for Alabama is $63,633 per year, $56,406 per year for Illinois, and $68,943 per year for Maryland.
Larger, more well-funded departments typically contain the following jobs:
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Crime Scene Photographer
- Fingerprint & DNA Specialist
- Forensic Artist
- Evidence Technician
By earning a certificate, you can become a bonafide Crime Scene Technician.
Opportunities for Advancement in Crime Scene Investigation
The field of Crime Scene Investigation has a range of avenues for career advancement. CSIs who are also sworn police officers may choose to seek promotion into more senior positions in the force.
Still, some CSIs may choose to specialize in a particular field of evidence gathering, such as DNA, Blood, computer evidence, and the like. Career advancement is greatly helped by pursuing additional training and earning specialist certification/s or by earning a graduate degree, such as a Master’s in Forensic Science.
To Be or Not To Be
Crime Scene Investigation could be for you if:
- You are comfortable with unpredictable work hours
- You have a strong attention to detail, organized, and meticulous
- You have a strong sense of justice and a desire to contribute to solving crime
Crime Scene Investigation might not be for you if:
- You find it hard to compartmentalize or mentally separate your job and personal life
- You tend to be squeamish, especially with things that surround violent crime (i.e., dead bodies, blood, foul smells, gore, etc.)
- You’re more comfortable working an office job with regular & predictable work hours
How Can You Get Started in Forensic Science?
Like Crime Scene Investigators, entry into careers in Forensic Science typically requires a bachelor’s degree as a minimal requirement to entry. Evidence analysis techniques used by forensic scientists are anchored on techniques used in other fields (such as the sciences).
As such, those who have a bachelor’s degree in some of the sciences can potentially launch careers in forensic science. This includes chemistry, biology, and biochemistry, although there is a specialized Bachelor’s in Forensic Science that many colleges and universities offer.
Essential Skills of a Forensic Scientist
Along with Crime Scene Technicians, Forensic Scientists play a supporting role in the police force, analyzing and interpreting evidence that CSIs collect. Forensic Scientists are law enforcement officers, and applicants also have to pass relevant background checks, like police officers.
Crime labs across the country vary by size, and the range of analytical techniques they can perform, and forensic scientists must have expertise in one or more of these various analytical techniques, a strong adherence to good lab practices, and attention to detail. Forensic Scientists must also have good writing skills since their analyses are then condensed into written reports.
Additionally, Forensic Scientists are often called to testify in trials, and for this, they must also have good verbal/oral communication skills.
Jobs for Forensic Science Degree Holders
Like their field-based Crime Scene Investigator counterparts, the average pay for forensic scientists varies by state as well as according to the specialized tasks they perform. For example, data compiled by Indeed.com places the national average salary of Forensic Specialists at $45,088 per year, $78,907 per year for Forensic Accountants, $39,796 per year for Autopsy Technicians, and $69,294 per year for Forensics Managers.
Within the context of the crime laboratory, Forensic Scientists’ special occupations can include the following:
- Evidence Technician
- DNA Analyst
- Pathologist
- Chemist
- Toxicologist
Opportunities for Advancement in Forensic Science
Like many other fields, Advancement in Forensic Science is partly dependent on additional training and advanced education, evidenced by various certifications and a graduate degree.
One of the more common advanced degrees earned by professionals in this field is the Master’s in Forensic Science, though several other graduate degrees from the sciences may also apply.
Professionals in this field can also potentially move up to more senior positions in their respective crime laboratories, as well as pursue more administrative or managerial roles by gaining extensive hands-on experience.
Many professionals also move on to launch academic/teaching careers, and this typically requires a Ph.D. or an equivalent degree from top-notch colleges for forensics in the country.
To Be or Not To Be
Forensic Science could be a good fit for you if:
- You like problem-solving and want to use this to help bring justice to victims of crime.
- You have good attention to detail, are meticulous, and have strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- You have a background in the physical and the natural sciences, aside from a degree in Forensic Science.
Forensic Science may not be a good fit for you if:
- You have a passion for the sciences but don’t really see yourself working within the field of law enforcement.
- You don’t consider yourself neat, detail-oriented, or meticulous, let alone have an interest in analytical tools.
- The idea of speaking in public or appearing in court to give sworn testimonies puts you off or scares you.
Summary Points
As said earlier, crime is an undesirable but sadly unavoidable aspect of societies, and the criminal justice system is there to address its effects, bring justice to victims of crime and those they may have left behind, and help restore the sense of safety and normalcy that crimes destroy. This is where we see the highly important role that crime scene investigators and forensic scientists play, along with other law enforcement professionals.
Crime scenes are messy and emotionally charged and provide a window into the ugly and disturbing side of human nature, and it takes a special breed of professional to process crime scenes, gather evidence, and analyze them.
To succeed in the field of law enforcement, good Crime Scene Investigators and Forensic Scientists must first and foremost be able to stay professional and distance themselves psychologically from the distressing nature of the violent crime they face day in and day out, and they should also have unshakeable personal integrity and a strong sense of justice.
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