A crime scene investigator is tasked with investigating various types of crime scenes, such as home invasions, robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, as the name implies. However, this position requires you to work as part of a team of crime scene investigators, which includes a lead investigator who oversees the evidence collection and handling. There are several different types of crime scene investigator jobs, each with its own specialization.
The criminologist is the most general of crime scene investigator jobs. This person is trained in dusting and processing fingerprints, identifying and preserving physical evidence, and photographing the scene at a crime scene. The criminologist, like other professionals in this field, contributes to a crime scene investigation gathering evidence to support the most likely theory or conclusion about what happened. In addition, this person may testify in a court of law about the procedures used during the case’s fact-finding.
The science of forensics is used in other crime scene investigator jobs. In this field, the investigator tries to reconstruct the crime scene and events leading up to the crime, especially in the absence of evidence or evidence that is not readily available through standard collection methods. For example, using special chemicals or laser technology, a forensic criminologist may be required to extract latent or distorted fingerprints and biological fluids from skin and other body tissue. Hair and textile fibers, as well as any botanical material found at the scene, may be collected and analyzed. They may also create casts of impressions left behind foot traffic or tire tread.
The collection and analysis of evidence relating to tool marks and firearms is another specialty that falls under the purview of crime scene investigator jobs. Those working in this capacity, on the other hand, are usually consulted later in the investigation and do not usually participate in the gathering of evidence at the crime scene. Instead, they may be confronted with knives, guns, or other weapons discovered at the scene and suspected of being used in the crime. Examining the specific marks left the object in terms of length and depth, as well as determining the distance and direction from which impact was made, is the focus of this job. This position frequently entails tracing weapon serial numbers and restoring those that have been purposefully obscured.
The majority of jobs in the field of crime scene investigation pay well in terms of salary and benefits. Many crime scene investigator jobs, on the other hand, necessitate a commitment to working long hours and being available at any time of day or night. A high school diploma is required for becoming a crime scene investigator, and a four-year college degree, preferably in criminal justice, is preferred. Furthermore, some investigative units require that individuals be sworn police officers before proceeding to the crime scene investigation phase.