Education
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Become a Crime Scene Tech?

Britt Archer
Britt Archer

Crime scene investigation is a growing field. Because of the popularity gained by forensic science, or forensics, due to exposure from television and other media, it may seem appealing to become a crime scene tech, also known as a crime scene investigator. It takes several specific personality traits, as well as some education, to be able to perform the functions that are required of the job.

The requirements for becoming a crime scene technician vary depending upon geographic location and individual job. Generally, a crime scene tech must possess a degree in the field of criminal justice, which is offered as both a two- and four-year degree at many colleges and universities worldwide. It is helpful for those wishing to become a crime scene tech to become a sworn officer of the law to be able to perform in a higher capacity in the investigation of crimes, but there are also many civilian crime scene investigators as well. Crime scene technicians who are also sworn police officers, however, often have more job opportunities, better pay rates and better benefits.

Crime scene technicians are involved in collecting and analyzing evidence.
Crime scene technicians are involved in collecting and analyzing evidence.

To become a crime scene tech, it is imperative for the individual to have a strong eye for details, meticulous note-taking and observation skills and, in some instances, a strong stomach. Crime scene techs are often one of the first groups called to the scene of a crime to begin collecting evidence that will later be analyzed in a lab and may be used to prosecute criminals in court. Strict guidelines are set in place to collect and handle evidence, so that there is no question later when it was collected, exactly who has handled it and where and how it was obtained. While not every crime scene a technician visits is a gruesome murder, the procedures are the same and the cases are treated with the same level of responsibility.

Crime scene technicians may be responsible for taking photographs of a crime scene.
Crime scene technicians may be responsible for taking photographs of a crime scene.

The field of crime scene investigation is full of options. Those who find it unappealing to become a crime scene tech may explore these other options, including becoming a forensic lab tech, who analyzes the evidence collected by a crime scene tech; a medical examiner who may deal with bodies found during the course of an investigation; or a criminologist. Criminology, a branch of sociology, analyzes criminals and how they think. All of these jobs are considered to be within the field of criminal justice, and each is important to the criminal justice system.

Discussion Comments

Mammmood

@nony - I was a juror once at a murder trial. The defense attorney argued that some of the crime scene forensics had been compromised because it had been improperly handled.

It was amazing how they were able to point out the most minute faults in evidence collection, which left doubts in the minds of the jurors as to whether there had been tampering with the evidence.

I don’t believe there was, but other jurors did. You can’t afford to mess up if you want to become a crime scene investigator. If you do, you basically hand the defense its strongest argument.

nony

@allenJo - That’s a good point. I would also say don’t do it if you don’t like the sight of blood or dismembered bodies. There may be plenty of that before a crime scene cleanup takes place.

Personally I would rather be the lab technician, who deals with stuff after everything has been tidied up and presented neatly to me in a petri dish.

allenJo

I would like to point out one crucial point about becoming a crime scene investigator. Beware of the “CSI Effect.” This is a term that has been used in the popular media to describe how the bar of proof has been set so high for prosecutors in a court room.

Basically, juries are becoming more demanding about evidence. They want “smoking gun” DNA evidence before they will agree to convict in many cases, and that’s because of what they’ve seen in the TV show CSI.

In reality, there is rarely a smoking gun. So don’t get into crime scene investigation because you think life will be like what it is on TV. It won’t.

There will be a lot of unanswered questions at crime scenes. But still, if you love detail and the passion of working to solve a puzzle, this may be the profession for you.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Crime scene technicians are involved in collecting and analyzing evidence.
      By: corepics
      Crime scene technicians are involved in collecting and analyzing evidence.
    • Crime scene technicians may be responsible for taking photographs of a crime scene.
      By: Luis Louro
      Crime scene technicians may be responsible for taking photographs of a crime scene.
    • A crime scene tech may be responsible for gathering fingerprints at a crime scene.
      By: Peter Kim
      A crime scene tech may be responsible for gathering fingerprints at a crime scene.
    • Crime scene techs often work at the scene to make sure relevant evidence is gathered.
      By: dmitrimaruta
      Crime scene techs often work at the scene to make sure relevant evidence is gathered.