CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigator. There are several names that may apply to the same job description. These include CSI, ET (evidence technician), CST (crime scene technician), FI (forensic investigator), SOCO (scenes of crime officer), CSA (crime scene analyst), CO (criminalisticts officer) and there are more not listed here. The main job of a CSI is to document, identify and collect physical evidence at a crime scene.

What is the role or job description for a CSI?

A job description for a CSI varies throughout the world, each agency defines the duties and role a CSI plays in their department. A generic version is as follows; The CSI is a support person for the investigator in charge of the case. The CSI is responsible for the thorough documentation of the scene(s) and the identification, processing and collection of physical evidence. They need to have an expertise in photography, sketching, processing for latent and patent evidence, which includes but not limited to; fingerprints, footwear impressions, trace, hair & fibers, biological fluid , including DNA potential and blood spatter pattern analysis. Other specialties may be required. The CSI needs to follow the protocol for the packaging, securing and chain of custody for the evidence collected from the scene. The CSI will attend autopsies and assist the pathologist with collection of physical evidence from the body. The CSI needs to take thorough notes to later complete a comprehensive written report. The CSI not only needs above average written communication skills they must also have good verbal skills to work as a liaison between the investigators, pathologists and prosecuting attorneys. They are required to give accurate and comprehensive testimony in a court of law. The CSI is required to work long hours, be agile  and heavy lifting is required. The must be able to maintain their equipment, keep updated on all techniques and methodology, use deductive and inductive reasoning and perform a systematic search of the crime scene.

What is the average salary for a CSI?

The salary range for a CSI here in the USA ranges from about $20,000 to over $50,000. The difference in the salary range is mainly geographical but also is based on education, training and experience level.

 Do I need to be a police officer before I can be a CSI?

The short answer is no, CSI's are both sworn police officers and civilians. The longer answer is that most CSI's are sworn officers, but there is a large number of civilians doing the same job. The difference between the two is economics and arrest powers. Police Officers are generally paid at a higher level then the civilian counter parts, they usually have better benefits and have an available career ladder. Civilian CSI's have little career opportunities, less benefits and work in the same dangerous environment as their sworn counterpart.

What degree is required before I can be hired as a CSI?

The applicant must meet the requirements of the employing law enforcement agency. Some agencies requirements are higher then others.  A smaller rural agency may not require any degree while larger agencies will most definitely require a degree. That degree may be a two or four year degree and may be specific. In order to receive  accurate and current information on the requirements contact your local police department, the sheriff's department and the state police in the area your are looking for employment and ask them what their requirements are for a CSI position with them.

Where can I get a degree in Crime Scene Investigation?

To the best of our knowledge there are no degrees available in CSI. There are however Criminal Justice Degrees, Forensic Science Degrees and these are both in BS and MS. Check with your local community colleges and universities with academic courses in forensic science or criminal justice. The following is a link to a web site that lists schools that offer master degree programs, http://www.ib3.gmu.edu/courses/forensicsgradprgm.html

Where can I go to be trained as a CSI?

There is a difference between education and training. Training is usually offered by the law enforcement agency employing you, education is what you receive from an Academic institute. Once you have been hired by the agency they will generally provide the training required for a CSI position. The best way to get hired by a law enforcement agency is to have the educational background first then seek employment in your selected field.

How do I become a CSI?

The simple answer is to become a police officer and apply for the position as a CSI after a few years experience within the department. There is another avenue and that is as a civilian CSI. There are over 17,000 police agencies within the USA. There are very few police agencies that have full time civilian CSI's working for them, most are sworn officers that do multiple jobs. Those few police agencies that do hire civilian CSI's usually require a college degree and some knowledge of processing crime scenes, but not all agencies have that requirement. To become a CSI you need to be hired by a police agency. The hard part is finding what their requirements are for that position. They are not all the same. To find the best answer for you, our suggestion is to contact your local police department, your sheriff's department and the state police to find out what THEIR requirements are to be hired as a CSI. Education is always required. Some agencies just require a 2 year degree in almost anything, other agencies may require specific degrees, such as a Master Of Science Degree in Biology or Chemistry or Forensic Science. You will need to contact the agencies in your geographic area to find out what they require to be hired.

The best advice we can give is to get an education that allows you to not only get that job now, but also prepares you for the future. Crime Scene work is very demanding, most CSI's do not process crime scenes all their careers. They will at some point "burn out" and change their career to perhaps working in the crime lab as a forensic scientist. So plan now for not only the current job you are looking for but also getting a well rounded education that will allow you to expand into other possibilities.