Crime Scene Investigator

By: Alejandro Rodriguez

Careers Project

October 05, 2009

Job Description

Detectives are specially trained police officers who investigate and solve crimes of all types, from homicide to fraud. They gather evidence and facts, allowing them to crack even the most complicated of cases. Depending on the police agency they work for, they may also be known as investigators.

EducationYou will first need to qualify and work as a regular police officer. Although the exact requirements for new recruits vary by police force, most require applicants to be US citizens and at least 20 years old.

Applicants also need a high school diploma. Some large police departments require a minimum of 1 or 2 years of college, most officers who become detectives have at least an associate degree. Relevant college programs include criminal justice and law enforcement. Applicants to police forces must also pass physical and written exams, as well as background checks.

Personality

• Tough

• Stone faced

• No pity for suspects

• Determined

Skills

• 1. full attention to what other people are saying, time to understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• 2. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• 3. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• 4. logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• 5. Talking to others to convey information effectively. • 6. Understanding the implications of new information for both current

and future problem solving and decision-making. • 7. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react

as they do. • 8. Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. • 9. Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. • 10. Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Daily Tasks

• 1. Obtain clues and evidence, such as loose hairs, fibers, clothing, or weapons. • 2. Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, prevent bystanders from

tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival. • 3. Obtain evidence from suspects. • 4. Provide testimony as a witness in court. • 5. Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information

and investigative work is needed. • 6. Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases,

according to formalized procedures. • 7. Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire

tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene. • 8. Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused

persons and record interviews, using recording device. • 9. Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care

to avoid disturbing evidence. • 10. Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data

about suspects

Working Conditions• Variety of environments.• A great deal of time working indoors, in police stations.

However, they also work at crime scenes, which can be indoors or outdoors. Local travel is required to carry out some of their duties, such as monitoring suspects or testifying in court.

Detectives’ schedules vary depending on their workload. overtime is often necessary, and as a result detectives often end up working more than 40 hours a week. For instance, they must be prepared to work evenings, weekends, and even holidays when major investigations are underway. Many detectives are also on-call, which means they must be prepared to go into work whenever they are needed.

EarningsDetectives are employed by local police departments. Others work for state police agencies, while a smaller number are employed by federal agencies. Majority of detectives work full-time.

Earnings for detectives vary depending on a number of factors, including experience, rank, level of education, employer, and geographic location. Large urban police forces generally pay higher salaries than smaller forces located in rural areas. Similarly, detectives who work for federal agencies typically earn more than those employed by state or local police departments.

Benefits

• Full time detectives receive health insurance, pension plans, and paid sick days and vacation time.

Related Careers• Conservation Officer• Coroner• Correctional Officer• Crime Scene Investigator• Criminologist• Firefighter• Forensic Accountant• Lawyer• Paralegal• Park Warden/Ranger• Police Officer• Print journalist• Private Investigator• Probation/Parole Officer• Researcher• Security Guard

Sample Career Paths•  LEVEL1• Earnings $30,000 to $50,000 a year• Requirements • • High school diploma

• Preferably a college degree • physical fitness requirements • Completion of basic training responsibilities Enforcing laws of city and state; patrolling neighborhoods; apprehending criminals; assisting victims of crimes; doing administrative paperwork. 

• LEVEL 2 • • Earnings $50,000 to $75,000 a year • • At least 3 years of exp as regular police officer.• Requirements• • Strong on-the-job performance

• Completion of exam, if required by police force responsibilities Gathering evidence in criminal investigations; keeping accurate records; arresting suspects; testifying in court. 

• LEVEL 3• Earnings $75,000 to $110,000 a year• Requirements• • Many years of experience as a detective responsibilities Gathering evidence in criminal

investigations; keeping accurate records; arresting suspects; testifying in court; leading task forces; supervising other detectives. 

Pros

• Get to arrest people

• You get a badge and gun

• You “EARN” the respect from the towns

people

• If any suspects attacks you then you can use self defense

Cons

• Late Hours

• Paperwork

• You may see dead bodies

• on occasion their maybe long drives to court or to the scene

The End !!!!!!

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