How to Become a Forensic Investigator

Securing the crime scene

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, a "forensic science technician" is a person employed to "collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations" This includes both the crime scene technicians working in the field and in the crime laboratory. The bureau lists this career as one of the fastest growing occupations in 2004, with numbers nationwide expected to jump from 9,800 in 2004 to 13,400 in 2014.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

A Challenging yet Rewarding Career

1. Forensic investigators go by many names, including crime scene investigators, evidence technician, crime scene technician, , crime scene analyst, and criminalistics officer. Previously, these investigators were specially trained police officers. Today many work out of police stations, but they can also be part of the medical examiners office. Increasingly, individuals with scientific rather than law enforcement training are being hired for open positions. Among their responsibilities are: securing the area around the crime; measuring and drawing diagrams of the scene; taking photographs; listing and bagging all evidence; writing a report about all evidence collection procedures and conclusions; attending and taking photographs at autopsies; and testifying to findings in court. Forensic investigators will collect a wide range of physical evidence at the crime scene including finger- and footprints, trace materials, hair and fibers and biological evidence on the victim’s body.Although this position can be very physically and mentally demanding, odorous and messy, and with long and sometimes erratic hours, many people enjoy the challenge and personal satisfaction gained from helping to solve a crime.

2. Most law enforcement agencies hiring forensic investigators prefer or require a college degree. Depending on the size and location of the employer and job level and responsibilities, the degree could be a two-year associates, a four-year bachelor's of science or arts, or a post-graduate master's or doctorate in the field of criminal justice. Some employers will accept other degrees in the sciences, such as chemistry, biology or forensics. Specific training in the tasks and techniques for the position are often performed by the agency employing the new hire.

3. Due to the highly detailed and critical analysis of this position, individuals who are considering the field need to possess specific personal traits. First, they need to be very patient; their work is often tedious, time consuming and very thorough.Second, they need to have a logical and deductive mind in order to reconstruct the crime with the evidence collected. Third, forensic investigators require both excellent written and verbal communication skills, since they must write detailed reports and testify in court to their findings. Third, they need to work individually as well as part of a team. At times they will be working alone in the field; other times they will be joining additional technicians, as well as taking direction from the lead investigator. Lastly, they need a strong stomach, in order to be present at crime scenes and autopsies with bodies.

4. A degree in forensic investigation can be pursued from a two-year technical school, four-year college or university, or online/distance school. There are also nonaccredited programs that offer a degree. However, career opportunities with this degree are limited.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to make sure that the school is fully accredited and the degree received will be accepted by future employers.

Resources

• American Association of Forensic Scientists