Crime Scene Investigator

Introduction
Crime scene investigators are employed by most regional police forces. They
examine scenes of incidents where forensic evidence might be found,
including crime scenes. They record and collect it and might later present
evidence in court. Their work includes finding and recovering fingerprints and
forensic evidence, and taking photographs of crime scenes.

Also known as
Scenes of Crime Officer
Forensic Investigator

Work Activities
As a Crime Scene Investigator you will collect evidence at incidents that could include crime scenes or accidents. You'll
make sure that all the evidence is preserved and recorded for future reference. You might be called Scenes of Crime
Officer, Crime Scene Examiner or Forensic Investigator in some areas.

You will collect impressions of fingerprints and palm prints left by criminals. You usually do this by brushing surfaces
with powder and transferring the impression, via adhesive tape, to a sheet of acetate.

You'll also collect forensic evidence, often in minute traces, which is sent to a laboratory for further analysis by a
Forensic Scientist.

These examinations can be carried out at the scene of a crime, or items could be taken away and examined
elsewhere. For example, a car that has been used for criminal activity might be taken to a police garage.

Sometimes you might take impressions of fingerprints from people. You'll fingerprint anyone who might have had
access to the scene of a crime. This eliminates innocent people from an enquiry.

Another element of your work will be attending post-mortems. Working with a Pathologist who conducts the
post-mortem, an accurate record is made and photographs taken of anything arising from the examination.

Photography plays a vital role in your work as a Crime Scene Investigator. Photographed evidence is prepared for use
in court. Digital camcorders are also used at the scene of incidents.

You will be responsible for the maintenance of any equipment you use. You also have administrative tasks such as
preparing and writing reports, statements and other necessary documentation. You'll need to keep accurate records,
so that colleagues can refer to them when necessary.

Items of evidence are labelled and packaged carefully, then stored away after forensic examination for safe keeping
or for use as exhibits. Some evidence is sent to a Forensic Scientist for analysis. You will sometimes have to attend
court hearings to give evidence.

Technology plays a big part in crime detection. For instance, special equipment can be used to:

identify and photograph fingerprints on documents

record shoe or tyre marks
take DNA swabs
collect fibres from clothes and furniture.

You'll work closely with both uniformed and plain clothes Police Officers. You'll also work with Pathologists, Forensic
Scientists and other members of the emergency services. You will often need to wear protective clothing such as
paper suits, masks and overshoes, so that you do not contaminate evidence.

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 Crime Scene Investigators travel a great deal in their local area and might be required to live within a certain distance
of their workplace. You'll keep in touch with your headquarters by radio or mobile phone; you might need to
reorganise your work if you receive an urgent call during your shift.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To become a Crime Scene Investigator, you'll need to be:

patient, understanding and sympathetic when dealing with the victims of crime
calm and confident
able to analyse situations carefully
prepared to attend incidents that could be very distressing
able to work in unpleasant or dirty conditions, for example, outdoors in all types of weather, at night or at the
scene of a major incident
observant, methodical and able to follow set procedures, paying close attention to detail
you should also be able to use your initiative
able to work on your own and as a member of a team
flexible; for example, to cope with unusual work patterns
able to use your hands to carry out small and detailed tasks

Pay and Opportunities

Pay

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Starting: £26,000 - £29,000

With experience: £32,000 - £35,000
Senior Crime Scene Investigators earn £38,000 - £41,500

Hours of work

Crime Scene Investigators work shifts. Some forces work shift patterns that allow you to work 37 hours a week
spread over a five-day period (including weekends). The majority of forces have shift rotas that provide cover from
approximately 7 am/8 am until 11 pm/midnight. For the remaining hours, you normally take part in an on-call rota.

Where could I work?

Employers are the police services throughout England and Wales.

Where opportunities for Crime Scene Investigators occur, they could be in towns, cities or rural areas throughout
England and Wales.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies will almost certainly be advertised on a regional force website. Sometimes jobs will also be advertised in
the local press, on Find a Job and at Jobcentre Plus. Each police service is responsible for its own recruitment.

Entry Routes and Training

Entry routes

Direct entry is not widely available and in practice most entrants have some relevant experience and, often, a
relevant degree.

A great way to get into this career is through an internship. Take a look at our information article ' Internships', for
more details.

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 In many areas, it is usual to enter as an Assistant Crime Scene Investigator and progress to a Crime Scene
Investigator post after gaining experience, depending on available promotion opportunities. You might be able to
enter directly by applying for a trainee post with a police service.

Applicants usually have to pass eyesight and colour vision tests to be accepted for entry.

A small number of universities offer either a degree or foundation degree in crime scene science or forensic
investigation.

Training

As a new Crime Scene Investigator, you will have an introduction of about three months to your local force and crime
scene procedures, and spend time working with an experienced Crime Scene Investigator.

You will then usually attend a five-week residential training course. You will learn about:

safe working practices

crime scenes
recovery of evidence
fingerprinting
photographic techniques
presenting evidence.

The skills you learn are tested by a series of written and practical exams. A second course at a more advanced level
follows a year later. New Crime Scene Investigators will also follow a foundation degree route, usually over a two-year
period.

You will also take a short driving course that qualifies you as a police-approved driver.

Progression

Crime Scene Investigators can progress to senior and manager posts.

Work Experience

Previous experience working in a laboratory would be really useful for this career.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

Working as a Crime Scene Investigator is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that
you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or
warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on
unspent convictions if you are asked to. Some forces are currently reviewing their consideration of offences,
especially minor ones, including motoring offences.

Qualifications
Qualifications required for this job vary between forces. They can range from a few GCSEs at grade C/4 or above
(often including English, maths and science-based subjects) to A levels and, increasingly, many applicants have a
degree.

Other qualifications might be accepted, for example, BTEC level 3 qualifications, or the International Baccalaureate
Diploma.

Photographic qualifications and/or experience are also considered, as are applicants with scientific or technical
backgrounds and/or qualifications. A driving licence is essential.

For entry to a degree course, the usual requirement is:

2/3 A levels
GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in 2/3 other subjects

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 However, course requirements vary so check college/university websites very carefully.

Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A level.

Adult Opportunities
Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills/experience

Some entrants have developed skills by working in a laboratory.

Anything else?

Some forces employ serving police officers as crime scene investigators, while most use civilian police staff.

Further Information
Contact your local police force.

Contacts

Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

Address: Clarke House, 18A Mount Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 1BX
Tel: 01423 506068
Email: info@forensic-science-society.org.uk
Website: www.forensic-science-society.org

Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI)

Northern Ireland Enquiries
Address: 151 Belfast Road, Carrickfergus BT38 8PL
Tel: 028 9036 1888
Website: www.fsni.gov.uk

Forensic Science Laboratory

Irish enquiries
Address: Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Tel: 01 6662910
Email: info@fsl.gov.ie
Website: www.forensicscience.ie

Scottish Police Authority

Scottish enquiries
Website: www.spa.police.uk

Related Careers
Police Officer
Police Community Support Officer
Digital Forensic Analyst

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