Does the thought of helping to unravel a crime intrigue you? Do you think you have what it takes to handle practically any type of crime scene? Can you be compassionate, yet professional even in the most difficult of circumstances? If you said yes to each of these questions, then you should consider pursuing a career as a crime scene investigator. In your capacity as a crime scene investigator you will be collecting, preserving, and processing evidence that has been collected from a crime scene. You may also be responsible for documenting the crime scene using detailed notes, sketches, or photographs. In this profession it will be crucial that you pay attention to even the slightest of details. Start your crime scene investigation degree from any of the schools listed below. There are many educational options you can pursue in order to work as a crime scene investigator. Your ultimate career goals will play a huge part in determining which path you decide to follow. Most colleges and universities offer programs for students from a certificate level all the way up to a graduate level degree program. Of course, the more education you receive the more lucrative opportunities you will have available to you. Should you decide you want to obtain your certificate in this field of study you can expect to spend time acquiring the technical skills that will be needed to appropriately examine a crime scene.
For instance, you will learn how to collect evidence, how to preserve the evidence, how to conduct substance testing, and how to analyze fingerprints. Depending upon your specific curriculum, you may also learn about interrogations, case preparation, and how to provide testimonies. If you decide to obtain your graduate level degree, then you can expect to be focusing on similar content but in a more thorough manner. For instance, you will be completing courses such as digital evidence, homicide investigations, forensic pathology, trace evidence analysis, firearm identification, and criminal procedures. Take a few minutes and look more closely at any of the schools that interest you. Any of them will be glad to send you a free information packet detailing what they have to offer you. With your bachelor’s degree in crime scene investigation you will be able to pursue popular career options like: forensic computer science, laboratory technologies, or evidence technologies. Should you decide to further your education to obtain your graduate degree you will then be able to seek employment as a forensic science technician.