What Training Is Required to Become a Crime Scene Investigator?
A crime scene investigator requires multiple skills. He is responsible for processing crime scenes, documenting and collecting evidence, conducting scientific tests on items collected and DNA samples, and conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects. The level at which he does all of these criminal justice duties depends on the size of the police department and its training level. The training required to become a crime scene investigator takes four or more years to complete.
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High School Diploma
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Most police departments require high school diplomas of people who want to become crime scene investigators. High school students interested in entering this field should concentrate on a science- and math-heavy classload. Students need biology, chemistry and calculus to understand basic human anatomy and how different elements work together. These classes are vital to entering crime scene investigation programs.
2-Year or 4-Year College Degree
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An associate degree or a bachelor's degree at an accredited community college or university is required to become a crime scene investigator. While students can take online or distance-learning classes, the National Science Teachers Association says that traditional classrooms are advantageous because they often correlate with laboratory classes that provide hands-on training.
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Art and Photography
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Art and photography electives accompany training to become a crime scene investigator because this job requires creativity as well as science. While processing a crime scene, investigators record evidence with sketches, photographs and video recorders. Thus, it is important to know how to angle a camera to get the best documentation of a crime scene.
Computer Classes
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Crime scene investigation uses the latest computer programming as crimefighting tools. Thus, computer training is required of people who want to become crime scene investigators and work in police laboratories. Police departments use computer imaging programs to analyze photographs and videos of crime scenes. These programs create two- and three-dimensional designs of crime scenes for investigators to pick out minute details. Slides of photos make it easy for investigators to reconstruct crime scenes and present information to other investigators.
Additional Training and Certification
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Training and certification required for becoming a crime scene investigator varies from one police department to another; however, additional training is suggested, according to Forensic Enterprises Inc. The company urges crime scene investigators to earn a certification from the International Association for Identification, Crime Scene Certification Board.
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