Latest Crime Scene Investigator Job Description Complete Guide

 We live in a world that is plagued with crimes. We will discuss the Crime Scene Investigator Job Description here. These crimes have heightened the level of insecurity in our environment. To this end, our government establishes and designs various laws to help regulate crime in various states and counties. Despite the establishment of these laws, we still have a large record of crimes daily. 

Crime Scene Investigators work with the law enforcement agencies to bring offenders and lawbreakers to book. They help unveil the hidden details behind sexual assault, kidnap, armed robbery, etc. These individuals are passionate about enforcing the power of the law and ensuring that everyone stays equal before the law. Are you passionate about investigating crime scenes, or do you love justice? This job position could be the best start for you. Well, let’s find out what the job entails and if you are qualified to take the job.

Who Is A Crime Scene Investigator?

A Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) is an individual employed by the law enforcement agency to get involved in the evaluation, analyzing and investigation of difficult crime scenarios. Once brought on the scene, these investigators, through the use of tools made available to them, unveil the little details that shape the full story of a crime. Crime Scene investigators visit crime scenes to take pictures, collect physical evidence ( blood drops, fingernails, hair, footprints), and check for leads that can uncover the mystery in crime cases. They ensure that they carry the law enforcement agencies along through the various stages of the investigation.  You must have the heart to investigate simple and extreme cases effectively without any frailty.

Why Does A Law Enforcement Agency Need A Crime Scene Investigator?

Law enforcement agencies need a crime scene investigator who will go into a crime scene without a known identity for the proper unveiling of the tiny little bits initially unknown to police officials at the first report of a crime. They need individuals to disguise and pay visits to crime scenes to fetch pictures of crime locations, carry out autopsies, testify in courts, prepare accurate reports and also show up in court where necessary. 

Crime Scene Investigator Job Description

 Now that you know why law enforcement agencies need crime scene investigators, it is important to know the skills and certifications needed to occupy this job position. Some of them include:

1. Attention to Detail: You must know how to see the little things that others are likely to omit. Evaluate and analyze actions and every report given. Also, get interested in understanding the motive behind every action.
   
   
2. Flexibility and Availability: You will be required to visit crime scenes and any other sites closely linked to where the crime was staged. You will also need to bend, squat, kneel or crawl to get physical evidence, so you must be flexible physically. Also, you will be required to work at least 40 hours per week, shuffling between morning and night shifts. You should also be ready to show up on a call.
   
   
3. Possess Investigative Abilities: You must know how to question every move taken critically, know how to interrogate suspects to bring out facts that can help resolve a case, and know what to do to make families and friends closely related scene. Trust your judgment.
   
   
4. Ability to Work Under Pressure: Investigating a crime sometimes comes with a lot of pressure from families, the government, and the media, depending on the status of the individual involved in it. However, you must learn to manage pressure while you work because giving in to pressure can ruin an investigation.
   
   
5. Patience and Ability to Work with a Team: You cannot unveil the trajectory of a crime singlehandedly simply because you can’t be at different places at the same time. So, you need to know how to work with a team to achieve a common goal.

In addition, background knowledge or a Bachelor’s degree in forensic science or any sciences will be an added advantage. Also, since you will be required to move from one location to another, you must have a valid driver’s license to enable smooth transitions. There will be times when you will need to use a gun to issue an arrest or put a criminal in check. You must know how to use a gun and be licensed to use one. If you have the above-listed requirements, then you are a qualified applicant for the job. However, you must know your responsibilities in detail.

Responsibilities Of A Crime Scene Investigator

As a Crime Scene Investigator, your duties would revolve around the processes of unveiling a crime, they include the following:

1. Visit crime scenes as quickly as possible immediately after a crime is reported.
2. Take pictures of crime locations in the case of burglary, autopsies in the case, and speak to victims in sexual assault.
3. Collate information gathered into a report, evaluate information to spot falsehood, and present a report to law enforcement agencies.
4. Participate in press briefings to report on the progress of your investigations.
5. Teach new team members their responsibilities during investigations.
6. Interviewing family members, medical personnel, law enforcement agencies, friends, and individuals closely related to the crime scene.
7. Receive calls from police officers and follow leads to find evidence.
8. Close examination of weapons found at the crime scene.
9. Testifying as a witness in court where necessary.

Salary Of A Crime Scene Investigator

 If you decide to apply for this job position, you will be opportune to earn an average of $57,850 per year. If you want to calculate your salary hourly, you will earn an average of $27.81 per hour. This is not static. It was given by a report presented by the U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics.

FAQs

1. How many hours would I work as a Crime Scene Investigator? You would work 40 hours per week, but it is important to get your mind ready to work around the call because you will be required to show up as soon as duty calls.
2. Is it compulsory to have law enforcement experience before applying for a Crime scene Investigator? Yes, it is necessary to have adequate experience working with a law enforcement agency( intelligent officer or police officer) before applying for the job position.
3. What is the ideal work environment of a Crime Scene Investigator? Well, you will be required to work with police departments and be exposed to harsh weather conditions, difficult locations, and gory sights. So, you need to be mentally stable. 

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