Are you interested to know how to become a CSI forensic scientist? Then worry no more cause this article got you covered.
Are you a problem solver at heart? Inquisitive about why and how things are the way they are Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others?
Forensics and crime investigator careers can be found if you can answer yes to the preceding questions.
A Crime Scene Investigator’s salary, potential for advancement, and educational requirements will all be examined in this article. What are we waiting for?
Continue reading to know more about how to become a CSI forensic scientist.
What is Forensics
Forensics refers to the scientific methods used to investigate a crime.
In a forensic investigation, all of the physical evidence relating to a crime is gathered and examined.
Blood, fluid, fingerprints and residue, hard drives and computers or other technology are examined by investigators in order to determine how a crime was committed..
Who is a Forensic Scientists.
If you’ve been accused of committing a crime, you can rely on the findings of forensic scientists to clear your name or help you get the justice you deserve.
Forensic science can be broken down into a number of distinct disciplines.
Trace evidence examination, latent fingerprint examination, firearms and tool marks, handwriting analysis, fire and explosives examinations, forensic toxicology and digital forensics are just some of the techniques used in forensics.
Some forensic fields are practiced outside of forensic laboratories, such as forensic pathology, forensic nursing, forensic psychology, forensic entomology, and forensic engineering.
These professionals can be found in medical examiners and coroner’s offices, institutions, and private clinics.
In What Ways Does a Crime Scene Investigator Perform Their Work?
Professionals known as crime-scene investigators gather evidence at the scene of a crime and procedure it in a crime laboratory (CSIs).
In some cases, the only conclusive evidence presented at trial comes from CSI evidence, which is analyzed by forensic experts.
Competencies of a CSI
In order to be an effective crime scene investigator, a person must possess a wide range of abilities. CSIs are:
Detail-oriented
Critical-thinkers
Focused
Organized
Non-biased, impartial
Problem-solvers
What’s the Average Salary of a Forensic Scientist
In 2021, the average salary for a CSI is $48,607, according to Pay scale. Depending on location and experience, salaries ranged from $37k to $80k.
How to Become a CSI Forensic Scientist
1.Obtain a high school diploma (four years).
Candidates for both police-trained and civilian CSI positions typically have at least a high school diploma.
This is a good time for prospective CSIs to look into the many different volunteer opportunities available in criminal investigations all over the country.
Secondary school students attending a CSI summer camp at Pittsburgh’s Point Park University receive valuable laboratory and criminal justice training.
High school and middle school students can participate in CSI Arizona’s forensic science competition and receive CSI training in crime scene analysis, evidence gathering, and presenting findings.
There are a variety of internships and volunteer opportunities available for young people who are interested in police work.
2. Enroll in a police academy or get a CSI degree from a university (two to four years).
Aspiring CSIs can take one of two typical paths at this stage. This option is best suited for those who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement.
The most common requirements for joining police forces include being an American citizen; being at least 18 years old; having a valid driver’s license; and having no felony (or serious misdemeanor) convictions on one’s record.
Instead, students interested in becoming CSIs can enroll in a two- to four-year college program in a related field such as criminal justice or forensic science.
3. Become Certified in Your Field and Join Professional Organizations (timeline varies).
Professional certification may be pursued by aspiring CSIs after they have completed some formal academic and on-the-job training.
Please keep in mind that the requirements for becoming a CSI can vary from state to state and law enforcement agency to agency.
In most states, crime scene investigators do not need to be licensed or educated in order to do their job.
Indiana is the notable exception to this rule. Certification by the Indiana Law Enforcement Agency (ILEA) is required for CSIs, as well as passing an exam.
Many CSIs, even in states where certification isn’t required, choose to get their professional credentials from a variety of different organizations.
There are four main certifications in CSI, including crime scene investigator, crime scene analyst, and senior crime scene analyst, provided by the International Association for Identification (IAI).
These are available to those who have completed 48-144 hours of formal training in the relevant field (depending on the certification level).
After submitting an application and passing an examination, candidates are required to work full-time in “crime scene related activities.”
This certification is available to forensics professionals with at least two years of experience and 50 hours of crime scene processing training from the International Crime Scene Investigators Association (ICSIA).
Crime scene photography examples must be submitted as proof of experience for the 100-question exam.
4. Graduate school in CSI is an option (one to two years).
There are many benefits to earning an advanced degree from an accredited college or university, such as better job prospects, increased responsibilities, or a higher salary.
In the case of forensic crime scene investigation (FCSI), courses in forensic pathology, fingerprint analysis, and advanced criminalistics are offered by National University (NU).
George Washington University offers an MS in crime scene investigation to working investigators, law enforcement leaders, and attorneys.
Students will learn about medical-legal death investigation, fingerprint science, and document examination.
Qualifications will vary from region to region and from employer to employer in general.
You should check with your local police department and forensics lab to see what qualifications you need before applying for jobs as a CSI.
Finally
With this article, you will know how to become a CSI Forensic Scientist. You will also know who a forensic scientist is, their salary, and competencies.
