What Kind of Salary Does a Crime Scene Investigator Make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that jobs for forensic science technicians will increase 21 percent or more by 2016. The bureau doesn't differentiate between a crime scene investigator and a forensic scientist. It lists the job responsibilities of both positions.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
What is the difference between a crime scene investigator and a forensic science technician? A crime scene investigator's job is to gather evidence from a crime scene. All evidence is collected, documented, photographed and diagrammed. The forensic science technician's job is to analyze the evidence collected. Both jobs require following protocols and procedures, report writing and attention to detail. Unlike the shows on television where actors are multitasking by gathering evidence and then analyzing evidence, real crime solving involves personnel who have specific tasks.
Function
-
Real-life homicides involve uniformed police to secure crime scenes. Homicide detectives interview and investigate the crime. Crime scene investigators gather and document evidence. Forensic analysis involves specialized personnel who have expertise in different areas such as firearms, DNA and chemical testing. Many laboratories cannot afford the latest technologies due to limited budgets. Crime solving work is slow and it does not get wrapped up in an hour as seen on television.
-
Benefits
-
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists detectives and criminal investigators under a separate heading. The Bureau lists the mean annual salary as $58,750, which equates to a mean hourly salary of $28.24. Forensic science technicians have a mean annual salary of $52,960 which equates to a mean hourly salary of $25.46. Salary statistics for crime scene investigators is not recognized in national statistical agencies due to the specificity involved. An example of a Massachusetts real life crime scene investigator with five years' experience shows a salary of $52,000 with a starting salary of $30,000.
Considerations
-
If crime scene investigation is a profession of interest, contact the police or sheriff's office, state police, medical examiner's office or local law enforcement's crime scene investigations department and find out about their requirements, how often they hire and what their crime scene investigators do. Depending on the job functionalities, such as working in a laboratory, a four-year degree in science may be required.
Potential
-
It may not be as exotic or exciting as the television shows depict. The equipment might not be state of the art. The budget might be limited. The competition could be steep. However, if you have a desire to become a crime scene investigator, it pays to talk to the local agencies and find out what they need and ask yourself whether you fit the bill.
-
