Becoming a CSI (Crime Scene Investigator)

The acronym "CSI" can indicate either the task of Crime Scene Investigation or the personnel who conduct these investigations, referred to as Crime Scene Investigators. The principal function of a CSI is to gather, safeguard, identify and analyze physical evidence which they collect at the scene of a crime. The ultimate goal of CSI work and CSI personnel is to clearly identify the party responsible for perpetrating a crime.

CSI plays a vital role in law enforcement. The FBI's "Handbook of Forensic Services," for instance, says: "The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes requires, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence. Forensic analysis of evidence is often crucial to determinations of guilt or innocence."

While the position is often referred to as "CSI," the same job function is also known by other titles, including Crime Scene Technician, Crime Scene Analyst, Evidence Technician, and Forensic Investigator.

Education, Training & Degrees for CSIs

Most law enforcement agencies that employ CSI personnel prefer that applicants possess a college degree, and some require one. Most CSIs are police officers, but the number of civilians with specialized skills being hired into CSI positions is on the rise. In either case, a degree is essential. Depending on the size, location and requirements of the hiring agency, this could be a two-year (AA) degree, a four-year (BA or BS) degree, or a post-graduate degree (MS or PhD) in the general field of criminal justice or in some specific criminal justice discipline, such as forensic science.

Other degrees which could prove useful in obtaining employment as a CSI would include those with an emphasis in lab sciences which can be applied to crime scene investigation, including chemistry, biology or forensic science. Training in the specific tasks and techniques required in a CSI position are usually performed by the law enforcement agency employing the CSI.

Job Responsibilities and Desired Skills for CSIs

CSI combines knowledge and techniques from a number of different disciplines, including science, law and even logic. CSI work applies the scientific method and deductive reasoning to physical evidence uncovered and collected at a crime scene in order to reconstruct how the crime occurred.

CSI is a specialized application of forensic science (or as it more commonly called, forensics)—the field in which science is applied to law enforcement and the legal system. The essential difference between forensics and CSI is that CSI involves field forensics, or on-site investigation of the physical scene of a crime, while most forensic work takes place in a controlled laboratory setting. It is not necessary for a CSI to be a forensic scientist, but it is certainly to the CSI's advantage to understand how the evidence they collect is analyzed in the lab.

The duties, assignments, and procedures of a CSI vary among the many departments and agencies that employ them. There are a number of fundamental responsibilities that virtually all CSIs have in common, however. First among these is the task of securing the crime scene as quickly as possible-preserving the scene to ensure minimal contamination and disturbance of physical evidence. Since no two crime scenes are alike, the ability to act quickly, decisively, flexibly and with good judgment is crucial.

Once a crime scene is secured, the next critical task of CSI personnel is to process the scene for physical evidence. This must be done while simultaneously considering the best way to preserve the evidence, the tests a forensics lab can perform with the evidence that is being collected, and the potential legal issues involved in assuring that this evidence will be admissible in court. Among the standard items collected at the crime scene are fingerprints, shoeprints, bloodstains, and any available ballistic evidence. Collection of DNA evidence from hair, skin cells or residual bodily fluids is also becoming standard procedure. In addition, the entire crime scene is documented photographically in great detail, for future reference.

The third major function of the CSI is analysis. Once the evidence gathered at a crime scene is safely delivered to a forensics facility, the CSI uses this evidence to attempt a reconstruction of the commission of the crime. This task applied logical deduction based on the physical evidence and the results of analyzing this evidence.

Despite the popular notion perpetrated by various fictional television shows, it is not the job of the CSI to solve crimes, apprehend suspects, or make arrests. The real-life CSI plays what is fundamentally a supporting role, backing up the investigator to whom a case is assigned. While the position of CSI occasionally involves the possibility of danger, it is essentially a procedural position.

Due to the nature of CSI work, the potential Crime Scene Investigator needs to possess some specific character traits in order to be successful, including:

• A methodical approach. The scientific method demands a linear, methodical, step-by-step approach to crime scene investigation. In addition, strict protocols must be rigidly adhered to in the collection and preservation of evidence, in order that the forensics lab can extract the maximum amount of information from the evidence, and so that it will not be deemed inadmissible in court.
• Patience. Crime scene analysis can be a tedious, methodical, time consuming process, but in order to be thorough, the process cannot be hurried. Once the initial crime scene investigation is concluded, returning for additional tests includes the possibility of encountering contaminated evidence. In addition, many tests take hours or days to return results.
• Attention to detail. Since no two crime scenes are the same, sharp observation and logic must be employed at every new crime scene. The CSI's responsibility is to observe the details of a crime scene and to spot logical inconsistencies, no matter how small, obscure or unlikely, which might provide clues to reconstruction the crime or might prove to be evidence.
• A logical and deductive mind. Given the evidence gathered at the scene, the CSI should be able to reconstruct the commission of the crime using reason and logical deduction. This reconstruction then becomes a theory which can be tested, or which can indicate a direction in which to seek additional evidence.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. One of the responsibilities of a CSI is to take detailed and thorough notes at the scene, which will later be used to write comprehensive reports concerning their investigation. Verbal communication skills are essential in the CSI's role as liaison among fellow team members, superiors, prosecuting attorneys and witnesses interviewed at the crime scene. The CSI might also be required to testify in court as an expert witness, and must be able to describe to a civilian jury the procedures and results of investigations and forensic tests in clear, non-technical language without sacrificing accuracy.
• A team attitude. Crime scene investigation is a team effort, and the CSI must be able both to give and to take orders to support the lead investigator.
• A strong stomach. A CSI must often be present at autopsies to assist the pathologist in collecting physical evidence from the body.

Also helpful would be a familiarity in skills required for the job, including photography and sketching.

Crime Scene Investigator Salary Range and Employment Outlook

CSI salary range can run from $20,000 to over $50,000, depending on numerous factors such as the location in which the job is performed, and the education, training and experience of the Crime Scene Investigator.

Police officers who become CSIs generally earn more then their civilian counterparts. Civilian CSI employees also have fewer career opportunities and benefits.