If I want to be a Crime Scene Investigator what do I have to major in?
346191
That can vary immensely from one police department to another.  But here is the basic 411.  Some positions require you have a 4 year degree in science while others only require a GED or High School graduation. Generally, if you want to work in a crime laboratory as a Criminalist you will need at least a 4 year degree in science (such as Biology or Chemistry). If you want to be a Crime Scene Technician you usually need less formal education. Some agencies require you be a sworn police officer before becoming a Crime Scene Investigator.\n\nIf the position you want requires formal training then check your local colleges and universities.   Many community colleges have Criminal Justice classes that include crime scene investigations. \n\n\nBelow is a book, kind of pricey but a good source.  See if you can find a used copy someplace, or maybe your local library may have it.  But it's an excellent book on crime scene evidence and investigations.
880041
Well, one of my specialties is as a forensic document examiner.  I work on contract with a lot of people in law enforcement and most of them consider their work to be pretty mundane!  It's not the kind of thing you see on T.V. So if you're thinking of a career in some branch of forensic science, be prepared to spend a lot of time standing around, taking notes, and performing a good deal of laboratory work.  When I take a contract job my tools are a microscope, a scanner, and a computer.  \n\nHowever, compared to direct market sales or working in an insurance agency this stuff is pretty cool.  There are many pathways you can take, from a crime scene specialist all the way up to a medical examiner or a police detective/FBI agent.  It all depends on how good you are at science and how much schooling you want to deal with.  With a B.A. in criminal justice or biology or some related field you could be a crime scene specialist.  A lot of the training is on the job - in fact there is no degree for document analysis. \n\nCrime scene work pays the least and it can get pretty gross, but if you want to be in the big middle of an investigation, there you go.  From there on up you have other tiers of work.  You could get a degree and become a cop or apply for admission to the FBI.  This requires a lot more schooling and excellent grades.  You could also get an M.A. or a PhD in a field like physical anthropology and work as a forensic anthropologist.  This work is very cool but also very competitive.  Forensic psychology is another good field, but these areas that are highly specialized require a lot of schooling.  For instance I'm 32 and still working on my PhD.  \n\nIt depends on your aptitude for science and education.  Take a look at how much of that you're willing to handle and go from there!
874998
Hey that's up to you to decide.  If youe didn't want a job in criminology why major in it?  If you like fashion then go for it.  BUt whatever you choose scope out the effort that it will take to 'make it' in you chosen field...
839827
Stick with you major. Law enforcement agencies don't really care what your major is most of the time. If you ever look at a job announcement for a law enforcement job, no matter if its local, county, state, or federal, they will say that they want someone with a degree, thats all. They never say a major. All they care about is what  being able to get a degree says about you. It says that you are responsible and have a work ethic. If you are chosen they will teach you what you need to know for the job, so your major is not important. Also, having a biology major with open doors in a law enforcement agency because you could work doing forensics and stuff like that, where as someone with a criminal justice or criminology degree wouldnt be able to do. I majored in Criminal Justice and I like it, but now that I know about what agencies require I would have majored in something else knowing I would have the same chance to get a job in law enforcement.
76860
I would encourage you to go ahead and take a graduate course in forensic science after you finish college.  It's a really interesting and worthwhile field, but you do need that background of a bachelor's in anthropology before you start on it.  Look at\nhttp://www.aafs.org/default.asp?section_id=resources&page_id=choosing_a_career\nor \nhttp://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/\nfor more information.\nGood Luck
519611
First, most Private Detectives are very independent-minded.  That's why they chose their profession, because they like to work alone.  Secondly, they tend get lots of applications from people who saw the sexy TV shows, and want to be cool.  The real work is nothing like that.\n\nIf you're serious about pursuing this field, there are a few worthwhile directions to go.  First, consider a career in law enforcement, which would help you learn skills.  If that doesn't work for you, a private security firm might be a good option, and is probably something you could do while still in school, on a part-time basis.  Also, I think it's unlikely that you'll get a job with any but the largest of the private detective firms, most of which also have a security arm, so that may be a good entry point.\n\nBest of luck to you. I've included a link on the career field.
163933
It depends on what the standards are in your city. In some cities, you have to either have an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree. The best thing to do is to call down to the police station and ask where you would get information to apply and what you would need to qualify. I hope this helps!!
455063
To be a CSI you need a 4 year degree in Criminology.
8243
What major do you want?
589247
A background in criminal justice and a science field would be useful.  You have to understand the laws of evidence collection as well as how to interpret the evidence.\n\nThe science background should include biology, chemistry (including organic and biochemistry), entomology, bacteriology, genetics, and physics.\n\nLots of colleges are now offering forensics classes (some are even in the anthropology department), so it would be wise to talk to advisors at a university.  \n\nDon't be drawn into this field because you watch CSI or any of its spinoffs.  Try watching The New Detectives or The Forensic Files instead.  The shows on  Discovery and Court TV tend to be a lot more realistic in application.
790527
Forensics do not need a special requirement and don't need to be a special agent.\nI'm not sure about the USA but in Australia, the Forensics Department are made up of Senior Constables and higher.\nTo become a Forensics Officer you need to be in the job for at least 3 years, then you have the chance to apply for Forensics Department. \nThe only requirement would be to have completed some studies regarding Forensics, such as Certficate IV Forensic Science or a diploma or degree.\nThere are many type of Forensics, there are "Bench Scientists" where they go out to a crime scene, take samples and photos required and go back to the lab to test it all out, some tests are passed onto different sectors, such as Forensic Arsonists who work with bombs, guns etc, Forensic Biologists who work with the biology side such as skin cells, as well Forensics who work with trees, bark, dirt, leaves to try match the crime scene with an offender. \nThe FBI & ABI would be far too busy to answer your questions, go to the website and try find some information, if no avail, call recruiting. They are always more than happy to help you with inquiries.
576895
try pharmaceuticals, genetic research or crime scene investigation / forensics.
605785
Training to Become a Forensic Scientist \n\nThere are two main elements in the training required to become a general forensic scientist. The first involves academic courses, and the second, on-the-job training usually with one of the main suppliers of primary services to police. \n\nAcademic requirements:\n\nRequirements in respect of academic qualifications depend on the ultimate goal. For instance, to become an assistant forensic scientist or equivalent or a technical specialist, you are likely to need at least four good passes at GCSE including English and either science (Biology/Chemistry) or Maths, and at least one A level in a science subject. To become a case-reporting forensic scientist and/or a forensic science researcher, you will usually require at least a good first degree in Biology, Chemistry or related subject, followed up, in many cases, by a postgraduate/MSc qualification in forensic science or direct employment. \n\nTraining on-the-job:\n\nOn-the-job training tends to be best catered for by suppliers of forensic science services to police and other law enforcement agencies as it is in these organisations that there is the breadth and depth of casework to provide the necessary experience. Such training generally includes a combination of specialist in-house courses and practical casework - all forming part of a professional apprenticeship
683554
Look for a criminal justice degree with a secondary major in a science field.
594852
Here is a little info. See the sources I've listed below. They will tell you alot more. \n\nThe Forensic Investigation Unit provides expertise at crime scenes through the use of photography, identification, evidence collection, processing and preservation. Technicians also perform latent fingerprint comparisons, forensic artistry and provide expert court testimony.\n\nThere are four types of technicians in the unit: Crime Scene Technician, Latent Fingerprint Specialist, Photo Lab Technician, and Office Support Specialist. In addition to skills required by their specialization, each technician must have a exceptional understanding of law enforcement techniques and needs to perform their assigned tasks in a way that assists future courtroom proceedings.\n\nCrime Scene Technician:\nHighly trained and capable Crime Scene Technicians provide mobile crime lab services at major crime scenes by scene photography, processing for latent fingerprints and collecting, identifying, classifying and preserving evidence. Crime Scene Technicians perform presumptive blood tests, gunpowder residue tests, and plaster cast impression molds. They process bodies of the deceased for trace evidence and fingerprints when necessary. They also fingerprint living and deceased subjects for identification. Technicians must be ready to testify in court to their findings and methods in criminal and civil cases.\n\nLatent Fingerprint Specialist\nFingerprint Specialists examine and evaluate the latent prints developed and lifted at crime scenes. They search for ridge detail and clarity to determine whether the print is sufficient for comparison. Comparisons are made between the print from the scene and prints of known individuals at the request of detectives and officers with the department for identification of the perpetrators of crimes.\n\nA vital role of the specialist is to enter and compare prints in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System or AFIS. This computer capability allows more comparisons in shorter time periods but it is ultimately the specialist who make the identification. Specialists must also be prepared to testify to their identifications in court.\n\nPhoto Lab Technician\nThe Tampa Police photo lab is responsible for processing and printing all Fire and Police Department crime scenes along with public relations photography. These technicians are very proficient in photography and photographic development techniques, both of which are crucial in the assignment they occupy. These technicians are responsible for a wide variety of complex and expensive equipment and maintain photographic negatives for future examination.\n\nOffice Support Specialists\nA sometimes neglected aspect of any organization or function is the record keeping and data management. Our Office Support Specialists play an essential in successfully achieving ID's goals. These technicians work to quantify data about arrests made, maintain city personnel files and criminal files, and staff the service desk for photo requests. These tasks are but a few of the functions of their highly demanding job roles
342052
You want to become a cop?  Why?  You need a degree in criminology and then you have to become a cop.
692467
Don't state your age when asking a question.\n\nTo be a forensic investigator, you want to be a science major in college, preferably biology and forensic science, that will give you the necessary background you need. Criminal Justice isn't as helpful because it is geared towards law enforcement which really has nothing to do with forensic sciences.