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What Does A Crime Scene Examiner Do?

  • Nabeel Ahmad
  • November 17, 2020

Crimes happen every day and every night in the country; some may be battery and assault, but others are high level crimes like murder and rape. In such scenarios, when the scene is to be investigated, a crime scene investigator- CSI is called to the scene.

The primary job of the CSI is to investigate and examine a crime so that the criminal is caught and punished.

Table of Contents

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  • Crime Scene Investigator Definition
  • Crime Scene Investigator Requirements
  • Crime Scene Investigator Job Description
  • Crime Scene Investigator Training
  • Crime Scene Investigator Salary
  • Conclusion

Crime Scene Investigator Definition

A crime scene investigator is by profession a person who examines a crime scene- location where the crime has taken place. He is the only authorized personnel and the first one to arrive at the scene, and then he and his team start investigating.

A crime scene investigator is a broad profession, and most examiners may also have expertise in other areas. They may also be called:

  • Crime scene leader
  • Crime scene technician
  • Forensic photographer
  • Forensic sketch artist
  • Ballistics expert
  • Fingerprint expert
  • DNA expert

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.

Crime Scene Investigator Job Description

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, this is the job description of a CSI::

  • 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 Training

Once the educational requirements of a crime scene investigator are completed, the next step is to train them according to the role by giving them hands-on experience.

Training for a crime scene examiner can be cultivated from various perspectives. By and large, it is the employing law implementation organization that sets the principles of preparing for recently recruited employees, from formal preparing projects and courses to regulated apprenticeships for a set timeframe.

A few states require affirmation/licensure for crime scene examiners, which regularly implies extra preparing prerequisites for these forensic science professionals. There are various public CSI preparing programs. For instance, criminological related preparing functions and projects are offered through the National Institute of Justice. The NIJ likewise provides trainers and administrators with reference material to create training programs for crime scene examiners.

Training materials include information on:

  • Showing up at the Scene: Initial Response/Prioritization of Efforts
  • Fundamental Documentation and the Evaluation of the Scene
  • Handling the Scene
  • Finishing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation

The National Forensic Science Technology Center gives criminological science instructional classes to nearby, state and ancestral offices.

A portion of the preparation programs offered during the time through the NFST include:

  • Specialized Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation
  • Middle Crime Scene Investigation
  • Fundamentals of Crime Scene Investigation
  • DNA Biological Screening for Law Enforcement

Crime Scene Investigator Salary

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.

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Nabeel Ahmad

Nabeel Ahmad is the founder and editor-in-chief of Legal Inquirer. Apart from Legal Inquirer, he is a serial entrepreneur, and has founded multiple successful companies in different industries.

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