How do I become a crime scene investigator?
816906
First if your opinon of what they do comes from TV and the CSI show, don't,  in real life they don't carry guns, they don't go out in the field,  they are lab workers looking at evidence sent into them by either field techs or police officers.\n\nBut you will need to go to college and major in a science field, and most will have masters.  Some colleges have a forensic labs and courses of study.\n\nThere are very few crime labs though the nation, most police departments either have very small ones, or use the state crime lab.\n\nSo for now, do college prep and look more into it as you get into 12 grade and what colleges you can go to
562930
He or she will visit a crime scene and, to start with, he will take everything in visually (frequently recording things on camera).  Next he will be looking out for anything that might possibly be related to the criminal offence (spots of blood, fingerprints, etc), then he will be looking for anything that is out of place (e.g. missing, in the wrong place, is there when it should be someplace else).  He will also gather items of evidence and take them back to the lab.\n\nBack in the lab, with the assistance of the lab techs, a picture will be built up of what happened, who did what to whom, with what, how, and why.\n\nTry watching CSI, NCIS, etc., despite some inaccuracies, they can give you a feel for what they do, and can  be informative as well as entertaining - always remember that they are primarily to entertain and draw in viewers.
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.
1066030
All I know for sure is you must have completed high school. You probably also have to qualify in some sort of fitness regimen. My friend is presently taking a course on line. One name for this type of work is Forensic Science Specialist.
455063
To be a CSI you need a 4 year degree in Criminology.
1054897
You can get hired on with an existing investigation firm as an apprentice, and learn the business from the ground up.  That would be the best way, you can earn while you learn.
504741
This site should help, since I only know about qualifications in the U.S.  Good Luck!\n\nhttp://www.forensic-science-society.org.uk
281379
There is no true certification in forensics. There is no natinal test or such.\n\nThe best bet is to look at a program in your area and see what coursework you have taken already. Look at Cal State Los Angeles.  Their program has many classes that are specialized.\nCRIM 511:  Principles of Research\nCRIM 550:  Crime Scene Reconstruction\nCRIM 552:  Trace Evidence Analysis\nCRIM 553:  Forensic Serology and DNA Analysis\nCRIM 554:  Identification of Controlled Substances\nCRIM 557:  Forensic Pathology\nCRIM 559:  Forensic Microscopy\nCRIM 560:  Forensic Toxicology\nCRIM 562:  Courtroom and Legal Issues in Criminalistics\nCRIM 594:  Thesis Prospectus\n\nB.  ELECTIVES                                     (8 units)\n\nANTH 463:  Forensic Anthropology\nBIOL 402:  Electron Microscopy\nBIOL 408:  Experimental Design and Advanced Biometry\nBIOL 413:  Molecular Diagnostics\nBIOL 415:  Population Genetics\nBIOL 416:  Molecular Genetics\nBIOL 417:  Gene Manipulation\nBIOL 432:  Fundamentals of Toxicology\nCRIM 595: Directed Field Work\n\nSo your other MS degree would cover most of those electives well. So other than field work and the core classes you have 50% done. If the school was willing, you could get another masters in forensics in a year or so capitalizing on previous coursework.\n\nAlso, having this type of background would make you more employable.\n\nAlso many facilities hire specialized lab biologists and chemists to run these tests. They do not do any field work or colelction, they just run DNA samples or such and have an onsite training to learn about chain of custody type issues.\n\nIt is not all CSI like where the same character does field work, analyzes  prints, samples DNA and solves the case. It is very much a team effort of many.
496996
JOIN THE POLICE ACCADAMY.
641616
first of all you need to do college courses in criminology, psychology, possibly forensic studies. Your salary will depend on who you were with, e.g. correctional services, government, private. You need experince and liscensure  before you can call youself a criminolgst.
880036
Chemistry and microbiology double major will probably get you the closest to forensic pathology background.  You may want to consider after that attending a graduate program in forensic pathology specifically.  A solid chemistry and biochemistry background will take you a long way in many fields, and is a great foundation for anyone interested in the sciences.  They are particularly relevant to forensic pathology because the techniques and background of this field are based on chemical and microbiological sciences.  Along the way, you're going to have to take other courses in physics and biology as corequesites.  Best wishes!
480387
Looking on the web, I would suggest that you look towards doing a College/University course in Forensic Science, as this appears to be the general requirement of the job.
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.
549675
Ha... I'm sure the show CSI gets in the way of finding real information about how to actually become a crime scene investigator. \n\nI think the confusion comes from the part that I think there are a bunch of people that make up a crime scene investigator team. You have coroners (often called medical examiners), crime scene etymologists, special materials analyzers (crime techies), homicide detectives, etc... they each make up a unique component of a CSI team. Then again... I'm sort of cheating... I'm checking out the job profiles of the fictional characters in the TV show CSI. Then again... CSI is supposed to mirror real CSI teams (well minus all the freakin' resources they have at their disposal); remember, TV always makes real life look better than it real is... but then you knew that anyway!\n\nWell, I did find some real real information (check out the last two links). In general, to become a real life csi, you want to be studying to become a forensic scientist!\n\nNate
828201
If you are keen to become a detective:\n\nPlease search out the detective training\nschool yourself.\n\nTake this as a challange and prove that\nyou are keen and possess excellent IQ.\n\nIf you fail to locate one, you are unfit to \nbe detective.\n\nALL THE BEST.
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.
893895
go to college\nacademy then police dep.