Crime Scene Investigator - Job Description @ Criminal Justice Careers Guide
This job is responsible for processing a crime scene. The Crime Scene Investigator is responsible for documenting the entire case including collecting physical evidence. Wherever the law is broken you may be called in by the detectives to document the scene including collecting samples with possible evidence and examining them using varied state of the art tools, attending autopsies, right on through to testifying in court. In addition part of this career is to stay up to date on analysis and reporting.
Hours of Work
Most have typical hours of work from 9:00 to 5:30, however since a crime may be committed at any time you may be called out at any time, day, night or even holidays.
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Let's suppose a murder happens on the weekend. The C.S.I. is called by the Chief Detective. The C.S.I. doesn't have a choice if he or she will respond. If he has been called he must expedite to the scene.
Upon arriving he or she must come up for a plan for theinvestigation. Once the C.S.I. has a plan of action then he must physically secure the scene if the police haven't already roped off the area. At this point the Crime Scene Investigator then must attempt to reconstruct the scene as to what events took place there just prior to, during and after the crime. By reconstructing the scene the Crime Scene Investigator can technically replay the events that took place which will help the C.S.I. collect the physical evidence left at the scene. All evidence is collected and very meticulously recorded and processed for further study. A mistake made in collecting or the handling of evidence by the Crime Scene Investigator could result in a guilty criminal going free. In addition photos, sketches and diagrams are taken.
Once the C.S.I. returns to the lab he or she must use their scientific expertise to investigate the crime in order to secure evidence. The Investigator will then present the findings including the analysis of all evidence to the Detective in charge of the case. In addition attention to details and large amounts of record keeping is also a critical part of this job.
The education and training requirements to become a C.S.I. vary by state and jurisdiction. In addition since science in the field of C.S.I. is continually moving forward the Crime Scene Investigator can expect to a be attending periodic training schools and seminars throughout their careers.