This following article was NOT written by Ron Smith & Associates and does NOT necessarily reflect the views and opinions of RS&A Inc.

Do You Have the Right Stuff for a Crime Scene Job?

When it comes to the proliferation of crime scene dramas on television there is greater interest than ever before on behalf of the public in a crime scene job. Of course, some people do not really think things through and quickly discover that this type of work really isn’t for them. However, if you are the type that is not afraid of getting a little dirty for the sake of justice you just might find that working in this field is a great way to contribute to local or even state and/or federal law enforcement.

Looking for computer forensics careers?

There are all kinds of jobs that involve crime scene analysis and investigation skills. These jobs are very important. Among them are: crime scene technicians, latent print examiners, photographic technicians, DNA technicians, forensic chemists, forensic lab technicians, crime scene investigators, firearm and toolmark examiners, and criminalists. In other words, there are many jobs that involve using the knowledge that can be obtained when training to work with crime scenes.

If you are truly interested in doing your part to further the efforts of law enforcement and criminal justice in your area, a crime scene job might be a great place to begin. Some of them are more appealing than others. I’m sure if you’ve watched the television shows that glamorize this line of work you have seen them crawling through sludge, garbage bins, garbage dump sites, and countless other unappealing situations in search of the ‘smoking gun’ or whatever the weapon of choice or supporting evidence may be.

If this is the type of job you are looking for, you must prepare for the job. This preparation involves proper training. While there are no nationwide standards many prefer a four-year degree in some sort of field of science if not a criminal justice and forensic science major. Since so few universities offer this specialized course of study at this point many will accept a degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or biology for the higher paying positions such as CSIs. Technicians do not require quite the extensive education in most circumstances. Your best bet is to check the requirements of the agency you wish to work with for the position you wish to pursue and begin a course of study that incorporates this knowledge.

The best way to go about getting the crime scene investigation job you want is to decide which job you want, learn the requirements for the job, fill the educational requirements, attempt to get an internship in the field, and then apply for the position when it becomes available. Most people do not have four years or the money to invest in a university education, particularly those that have finished one degree previously or have been in the work force for a while. This is the case when you need to apply your real world work skills and attempt to find coursework that can be combined with your existing education and skills in order to apply towards the crime scene job you want—good luck.