A:It can take you 2-4 years to become a crime scene investigator. Associate’s degree takes around two years. A Bachelor’s degree takes around four years and Master’s qualification takes around two years. However with the help of distance learning programs, students can complete these qualifications at their own pace.

In fact, according to the BLS (2021), prospective detectives will need to graduate high school (or obtain their GED), and most will complete an associate’s (two-year) or bachelor’s (four-year) degree in criminal justice, psychology, criminology, sociology, or a related field.

While a college degree is typically not required to become a homicide detective, earning an associate or bachelor’s degree can help you advance through the ranks more easily. Investigators often earn degrees in law enforcement, criminal justice or a related subject.

Most crime scene investigators are police officers. Police officers need at least a high school diploma or GED, but many departments now require a college degree. A degree in criminal justice with a focus in crime scene investigation may give you an edge over the competition and help you get the job you really want.

A Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) is in charge of extracting every possible piece of evidence from a particular crime scene. More often than not, they are employed by state or federal law enforcement, but civilians with a background in science may also be qualified for this position.

What’s the difference between a detective and a crime scene investigator? In order to become a detective, you must first become a police officer. However, crime scene investigators do not have to be police officers prior to becoming crime scene investigators. Detectives gather evidence from the scene of the crime.

While criminal investigators commonly wear suits, some may wear plain clothes (i.e., jeans and a t-shirt) when they are on special assignment. Criminal investigators may need to use protective gear, such as jumpers and goggles, when they visit crime scenes with hazardous materials present.

Protective equipment may include gloves, goggles/face masks, booties, and jumpsuits; a hair covering or hairnet is needed to prevent hair from getting mixed up in crime scene evidence. In areas with a chemical contamination risk, a CSI may wear an encapsulated suit with a breathing apparatus.

The American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) defines it as a professional who investigates any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner, including all suspicious, violent, unexplained, and unexpected deaths.

responsibility of the first-responding police officer (first responder), safety of individuals is first priority. Preservation of evidence is second priority. First responder has to restrict all unauthorized persons from entering. Locard’s exchange principle may occur.

The Seven S’s of Crime-Scene Investigation

• Securing The Scene.
• Securing And Collecting Evidence.
• Separating The Witnesses.
• Sketching The Scene.
• Seeing The Scene.
• Scanning The Scene.
• Searching For Evidence.

7 Steps of a Crime Scene Investigation

• Identify Scene Dimensions. Locate the focal point of the scene.
• Establish Security. Tape around the perimeter.
• Create a Plan & Communicate. Determine the type of crime that occurred.
• Conduct Primary Survey.
• Document and Process Scene.
• Conduct Secondary Survey.
• Record and Preserve Evidence.

A model developed by consultancy firm, the McKinsey Company, used to develop seven aspects of the organisation to base strategic planning around. The full list is: systems, structure, skills, style, staff, strategy, and shared values.

The three most common methods of recording a crime scene are: note taking, sketching, and photography.

Police officers are typically the first to arrive at a crime scene. They arrest the perpetrator if he’s still there and call for an ambulance if necessary. They are responsible for securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed. The CSI unit documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence.