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.
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.
