What Are the Requirements to Be Employed as a Crime Scene Investigator?

Real-life crime scene investigation work may lack the glamour and excitement depicted in "CSI" and other television shows, but for a qualified individual it offers an opportunity for a challenging, engaging career. Crime scene investigators, properly known as forensic scientists, collect and analyze all types of physical evidence collected at crime scenes, report their findings to police detectives and sometimes offer expert testimony in criminal trials.

Education

• Employment as a crime scene investigator requires the minimum of a bachelor's degree in a scientific field such as chemistry, biology or forensic science. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), a national association of forensic scientists, advises aspiring crime scene investigators to ensure their college work includes courses in chemistry, biology and mathematics. AAFS advises at least 24 semester hours of chemistry or biology, adding that the title of the degree is less important than the coursework completed.

Features

• In addition to a college degree in one of the sciences, AAFS says you need intellectual curiosity, integrity, good note-taking skills and excellent public-speaking abilities to become a forensic scientist. To develop your public-speaking abilities, the academy advises getting involved in a debate team or a Toastmasters organization. Because crime scene investigators need excellent communication skills to make complex scientific findings understandable to police detectives, prosecutors and juries, the academy also advises taking courses in English composition.

Considerations

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics says an understanding of criminal justice and legal procedures is helpful but not necessary if you want to be a crime scene investigator or analyst. Many colleges and universities offer courses in criminal justice if you want to improve your knowledge of law enforcement and the justice system.

Function

• Scientific knowledge constantly advances, as scientists develop new theories and make new discoveries. To keep pace with these advances, forensic scientists must take continuing education on a regular basis. AAFS adds that organizations such as the American Board of Criminalistics offers certification to crime scene investigators who pass the board's examination.

Potential

• Although a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline is the minimum requirement to become a crime scene technician or investigator, AAFS warns that a master's degree in science may be necessary in the future. A master's degree may be necessary for advancement to a higher position, such as director of a crime lab, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.