A crime scene technician examines and collects evidence at a crime scene before reporting the findings to law enforcement. Forensic specialists and criminologist investigators are other terms for crime scene technicians. To become a crime scene technician, first look into the requirements of the agency or department you want to work for. Depending on your state or country, the department’s requirements may differ.
To work as a crime scene technician, most agencies require a two-year or four-year degree in criminal justice. Home invasions, assaults, homicides, and autopsies are all areas where investigators train. The technician’s responsibilities at the crime scene include, but are not limited to, analyzing prints, tagging evidence, taking photographs, writing reports, and, if necessary, testifying in court.
To become a crime scene technician, compare courses at local colleges and consider the length of each program. Decide whether you want to pursue a two-year or four-year degree. Check to see if the program includes finger printing, evidence technology, criminology, crime scene processing, and court analysis. Some colleges also offer online certificate programs. Smaller departments may occasionally hire a crime scene technician with only a high school diploma if the applicant is a certified crime scene technician.
Find out if there are any mandatory prerequisites before applying for a forensics job with a department. Before hiring someone for an investigator’s position, the majority of departments require extensive background checks and psychological evaluations. When it comes to working at a crime scene, certain skills come in handy. It’s critical to be able to analyze evidence, quickly take in the surroundings of a crime scene and categorize the findings, and work confidently with other agencies dispatched to the scene.
After completing the training to become a crime scene technician, you must decide which area of law enforcement you want to work in. Some technicians are sworn cops who work as criminologists in their respective departments. Other investigators are civilians who decide to work as private investigators in the private sector. National government agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States, employ crime scene specialists.
It is critical to stay current with the laws and advances in criminal science after obtaining a position as a crime scene technician. A person who wants to work as a crime scene technician must keep up with the latest developments in technology and science. With the right skills and mindset, the field of criminal justice can be a rewarding and interesting career.