Definition

A crime scene investigator is employed by a police department or other law enforcement agency to process crime scenes and collect evidence. Crime scene investigators can also be referred to as crime scene technicians, evidence technicians, forensic investigators or any other name unique to their department.

Duties

A crime scene investigator photographs and preserves any physical evidence at a crime scene. It is imperative that the evidence is collected and maintained without contamination. Crime scene investigators must carefully document their work.

Evidence

Evidence collected may include bodily fluids, fingerprints, hair, fibers, organic material and trace evidence. Crime scene investigators might also analyze blood spatter or patterns to discern how the blood was shed.

Crime Scenes

Crimes scenes can be in homes, public buildings, cars, out in nature (such as in the woods), or anywhere there is collectible evidence.

Training

Many crime scene investigators are former or current police officers. However, civilian positions do exist in crime scene investigation. Each U.S. police department has different job and education requirements for their crime scene investigators.

Source:

Crime Scene Investigator

Evidence

Training