Crime Scene Investigation

Crime scene investigators (CSI) supervise complex crime scene investigations, such as homicide, home invasion, armed robbery, sexual assault, and property crimes such as burglary. Criminal Justice Degree Spotlight Also called crime scene technicians, evaluate the crime scene using advanced equipment and techniques.

The daily job duties and responsibilities of a CSI include:

Use ropes, police personnel or barricades to secure the crime scene before searching for evidences.
Gather, document, secure and properly package physical evidences for scientific evaluation and assessment.
Take photographs of the crime scene and the evidences found at the crime scene.
Write reports, and prepare sketches and diagrams accurately to visually describe or identify the crime scene, persons or victims, vehicles, locations or physical evidences.
Prepare and forward all required administrative forms and reports for court cases.
Assist medical examiners to retrieve evidences form the victim’s body
Testify in court about the findings and processes used at the scene.

Crime scene investigators are police officers with an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology or forensic science. A master’s degree in criminal justice, crime scene investigation or forensics will boost the chances of a police officer to become a crime scene investigator. Interested police officers who want to become a CSI must complete advanced training in crime scene processing, latent fingerprint processing, death investigation, photography, blood spatter interpretation and other training courses in forensic pathology and arson investigation. Moreover, they should receive certification from the International Association for Identification, Crime Scene Certification Board, within 18 months as a crime scene investigator.

Earn your Crime Scene Investigation Degree Online

Take the first step to a secure, flexible and well-paying career by enrolling in an online Crime Scene Investigation Degree Program. Whether you want to start or accelerate your career in criminal justice, explore the online certificate and degree programs below and request more information today.

We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

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CSI should be physically fit to be able to lift heavy objects, kneel, stoop, climb, craw, and push/pull objects. They should be detail-oriented and have the passion to help in solving crimes. CSI should be able to handle firearms, operate and maintain designated police vehicles and equipments, and observe small details of the crime scene how they relate to the crime and the evidences. They should also be knowledgeable in photography — lighting, distortion, and proper selection of camera and lens — to properly document a scene using pictures. Crimes can happen anytime, so crime scene investigators should be willing to render overtime shifts or on-call shifts.

Several factors, such as location, education and the years of experience in the field, affect the earnings of a CSI. According to the US Department of Labor Statistics, CSI earn between $35,400 and $45,700, or a mean hourly salary of $26.82. If they choose to move up the ranks, senior CSI could make $70,000 and above. Benefits like paid vacation and holidays, as well as health insurance and life insurance plans can also be expected from a job as a crime scene investigator.

Crime scene investigation may be a very rewarding profession although you will not become very wealthy in this profession.