Criminal Justice

Crime Scene Investigation Career & Education Overview

Find a Forensic Science School
24 Programs and 20 Colleges
  • Education: Bachelor Degree (BLS)
  • Job Growth: 20% by 2018 (BLS)
  • Pay: $23.97 per hour (BLS)

Forensic science technicians collect and analyze evidence, provide input to investigators, and testify at trial.  Many choose to specialize in DNA or firearm analysis.  Other specializations include (BLS):

  • Anthropology
  • Document Examination
  • Fingerprints
  • Odontology
  • Pathology
  • Toxicology

The job outlook for forensic science technicians is excellent.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 20% growth in the field by the year 2018, and the median hourly wage for forensic techs is $23.97. (BLS)

Those interested in a career in forensics should complete a bachelor’s degree program with an emphasis on lab sciences and math.  Legal studies are also beneficial.  Many community colleges and four-year universities now offer degrees in forensic science.  In addition to educational qualifications, forensic technicians should possess excellent people skills. Teamwork is essential to success as a forensic technician, as are attention to detail and strong analytical skills. (BLS)

To land a great forensic science technician job, it helps to have the following: (BLS) 

  • Organization skills
  • Enjoyment of problem solving
  • Great communication skills
  • Computer skills
  • A detail-oriented nature

The following resources may be helpful in finding a crime scene investigator job:

  • USA Jobs: This government website has a nation wide listing of state, local, and federal government jobs, including ones for forensic science technicians.
  • Sciences Crossing: Here you can find an aggregation of science jobs in the United States.
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences: This professional society maintains a listing of current job postings.
  1. Accredited Colleges Offering Crime Scene Investigation Programs
    Find a Crime Scene Investigation School near you using our interactive map.
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  2. Crime Scene Investigation Career Specializations
    If you’re interested in the field of Crime Scene Investigation, learn about the subtle differences between the various specialties in this available to this profession.
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  3. Crime Scene Investigation College Accreditation
    Every college or university that you consider when researching forensic science programs should be accredited in the field of forensic science. Why is this important?
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  4. Crime Scene Investigation Degree Options
    If you’re interested in beginning a career as a forensic science technician, forensic scientist, or crime scene investigator, you’re going to need some specialized training. There are several different levels of education that you can pursue, each opening different doors for your career.
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  5. Crime Scene Technician Certificate
    A crime scene technician certificate covers the practical skills for assessing a crime scene and collecting criminal evidence. These undergraduate programs are useful for individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement.
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  6. Expert Advice on Getting a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation
    Jeff Saviano is a certified forensic consultant, and owner of JDS Criminalistics, LLC. Mr. Saviano has been working in bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene investigation, evidence recovery, among other specialties, for over 27 years.
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  7. How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator
    Ken Jones is a criminalist with the Portland Police Bureau in Portland, Oregon. Ken is an expert in latent fingerprints, forensic photography, and crime scene investigation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in administration of justice. He has been a member of the Portland Police Bureau for more than 20 years, and he worked as a patrol officer before being promoted as a criminalist.
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  8. Job Duties of a Crime Scene Investigator
    Sure, you’ve seen a few episodes of the TV show "CSI," but do you know what to really expect form a career as a crime scene investigator? Although the job can be thrilling, it’s not all excitement. While much of a crime scene investigator’s job does take place outdoors and at the scene of the crime, other times they are cooped up in a lab. And, the thing about crime is that it doesn’t work around your schedule—crimine scene investigators may work long or irregular hours. Still interested? Read on.
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  9. Prominent CSI & Forensic Science Scholarships
    Locating your ideal college is part of the challenge that's involved with pursuing an education in crime scene investigation or forensic science. The other half of the battle is getting the funds to pay for tuition. The cost of postsecondary degree programs can be extremely costly if you don't have any financial assistance. Here's some information about scholarships in the field that can help you save money and still get the education you deserve.
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Colleges Offering Forensic Science Programs:

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Criminal Justice
  1. Corrections
  2. Crime Scene Investigation
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