Often in thriller movies when there’s a crime scene, almost suddenly the designated authority comes to raid the place. They cordon off the crime scene, evacuate people and hold on to witnesses. But soon after that, a crime scene investigator comes in and does his job. He is now in charge of the scene and evidence.
There are common questions regarding crime scene investigator definition: what does he do, how much does he make, what qualification does he have etc. let’s dig in to find answers to these questions.
Crime Scene Investigation
When a murder, or homicide or a crime is committed, that area is deemed as red zone, or the area of the crime scene. And it is then investigated. A crime scene investigation is led by the crime scene investigator, and is usually done in 5 major steps.
Step 1: Identify and Observe
The first step after arriving at the crime scene is to identify and observe it properly, what is the location, how many people are there, what sort of property that is, what is the focal point of the crime, is there a dead body, how many were injured etc. Note down the size of the parameter and cordon the whole area off.
Step 2: Establish Security
When you’ve created the parameter, establish security. Tape the whole area and deploy security guards to keep unauthorized persons from coming in, and with that, make sure that every person reports to the crime scene investigator while they’re doing their job to keep track of people and the area.
Step 3: Examine the Scene
The next step is to create a plan on how the scene should be investigated. Create a sketch and keep it handy, analyze it and point out weapons, or some other major evidence that may lead to the prime suspect.
Step 4: Documentation
It is important to document the whole scene by taking photographs, making notes, sketching out the scene. The evidence needs to be handled carefully- make sure the team members who are handling evidence have gloves on and they are storing them into forensic approved containers and polyester bags. Note down details about everything that you see, you never know what could be useful in solving the case.
Step 5: Transport the Evidence
The next step is to safely preserve and transport the evidence to the forensic labs where the evidence is tested and kept. Make sure the evidence is secure and not contaminated, and that it is transported safely. The testing reports usually come in the next 15-36 hours, and after the reports further investigation of the crime scene is done.
Crime Scene Investigator Responsibilities
Usually a crime scene investigator is responsible for crime scene duties like analyzing the area, gathering physical evidence, confiscating firearms, collecting fingerprints and DNA samples etc. However, there are some who are also able to perform forensic testing duties.
Commonly, a crime scene investigator is responsible for:
- Working with law enforcement to secure the scene as to prevent the contamination of evidence
- Identifying and marking the areas of the crime scene
- Collecting, preserving, and packaging the physical evidence
- Maintaining detailed reports, logs and other tracking data
- Using scientific equipment to collect and analyze evidence
- Maintaining and repairing scientific equipment
- Obtaining and arresting with search warrants
- Testifying in court with regard to collected evidence
- Transporting physical evidence to the forensic laboratory
Crime Scene Investigator Requirements
Generally, you should have a bachelor’s degree in forensic sciences or criminal justice, and along with that having a biology or chemistry background is also preferred.if an investigator is more inclined toward handling evidence and forensic testing, they need proper degree and training for that.
Crime scene investigators are required to fulfill on-the-job training as well, which gives them practical knowledge on how to handle crime cases.They work under the mentorship of senior supervisors and learn how real-life cases are dealt with.
There are no work hours for a crime scene investigator: they are called in when a crime happens, and this could be any time during the day or night. But some investigators often have off-call days where they don’t work.
How much does a Crime Scene Investigator make?
The salary of a crime scene investigator differs state wise, but there is not much difference. Here is a list of the hourly wage and the annual salary they earn.
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
| New York – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $27.09 | $56,348 |
| Massachusetts – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $26.83 | $55,815 |
| Washington – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $26.65 | $55,426 |
| New Hampshire – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $26.12 | $54,321 |
| Hawaii – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $25.77 | $53,606 |
| Maryland – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.87 | $51,727 |
| Connecticut – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.86 | $51,711 |
| Rhode Island – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.66 | $51,290 |
| Alaska – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.63 | $51,224 |
| Vermont – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.52 | $51,012 |
| Nebraska – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.49 | $50,947 |
| Nevada – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.43 | $50,822 |
| North Dakota – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.34 | $50,630 |
| Wyoming – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.32 | $50,586 |
| California – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.28 | $50,504 |
| Virginia – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $24.17 | $50,279 |
| Kentucky – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.69 | $49,267 |
| South Dakota – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.63 | $49,151 |
| New Jersey – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.58 | $49,045 |
| West Virginia – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.55 | $48,985 |
| Pennsylvania – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.44 | $48,748 |
| South Carolina – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.32 | $48,496 |
| Minnesota – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.29 | $48,451 |
| Oregon – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.24 | $48,334 |
| Delaware – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.23 | $48,328 |
| Tennessee – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.22 | $48,294 |
| Colorado – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.20 | $48,263 |
| Montana – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.19 | $48,228 |
| Ohio – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.05 | $47,945 |
| Wisconsin – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $23.00 | $47,831 |
| Arizona – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.95 | $47,732 |
| Kansas – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.85 | $47,526 |
| Utah – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.84 | $47,505 |
| Indiana – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.80 | $47,426 |
| Oklahoma – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.76 | $47,351 |
| Idaho – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.70 | $47,217 |
| Maine – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.68 | $47,181 |
| Louisiana – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.59 | $46,989 |
| Iowa – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.36 | $46,505 |
| Georgia – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $22.14 | $46,046 |
| Texas – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.88 | $45,518 |
| New Mexico – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.84 | $45,419 |
| Michigan – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.78 | $45,304 |
| Arkansas – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.76 | $45,271 |
| Illinois – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.65 | $45,024 |
| Alabama – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.62 | $44,969 |
| Mississippi – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.40 | $44,514 |
| Missouri – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $21.35 | $44,409 |
| Florida – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $20.87 | $43,400 |
| North Carolina – Crime Scene Investigator Salary | $19.87 | $41,326 |
Note: Sample rates have been extracted online, courtesy of ZipRecruiter.
Conclusion
A crime scene investigator is responsible for the examination of the crime scene and all physical evidence that comes with it. A crime scene investigation is not easy, it requires a lot of organized planning and a structured approach to manage the investigation, and connect to the actual criminal or prime suspect.
Since it is a tough job, crime scene investigators make a good hourly amount; but that also varies from state to state. They are deployed by law enforcement and are responsible for investigating a crime fully.
