How Long Does It Take to Become a CSI Agent?
Beware the "CSI Effect"
While crime scene investigation is a real career, the CBS television program franchise "CSI" has resulted in "the CSI effect." This is where the unrealistic portrait of forensic techniques on the show has led juries to have equally unrealistic expectations at trials. The same can also be said of crime scene investigators as a profession, because the show depicts them as combining the roles of a CSI with that of a police detective. In reality, CSIs focus merely on the forensic aspects of collecting, handling, analyzing and preserving evidence from crime scenes and other sources. Investigation and enforcement is the province of police officers and detectives. As a rule, CSIs in major police departments are not supposed to make arrests, go on raids or interrogate suspects, even if they are also serving police officers. While several CSIs are also sworn police officers, this is usually only the case in small towns.
Getting the Right College Degree
A good science education is usually necessary to pursue being a CSI as a career. Nearly all major metropolitan police forces will require a CSI to have a bachelor's degree in either a relevant science such as physics, chemistry or biology or to have a degree in criminal science or forensic science. However, the requirements vary by department. A small county sheriff's office is likely to be less demanding, while agencies such as the Las Vegas Police Department or the New York Police Department will be more so. A bachelor's of science is a standard four-year degree, but it could be completed ahead of schedule by an ambitious, hard-working student. It's ideal to also be certified in criminal science or criminology. That can take three to five years.
Becoming a CSI
The Department of Labor indicates that crime scene investigation is a booming job market. The number of positions increased by roughly 30 percent between 2004 and 2006, so finding a job opening either as a civilian or police officer CSI should not be too difficult with the right training. The best way to get employed as a CSI is to join the desired police department after finishing the requisite education, put in a few years and then move over to a CSI position. When combined with the education needed, this route will take between five and eight years. The alternative is to apply for a civilian CSI job, either as a field or lab technician. This can be done straight out of college, but it might be difficult to achieve because of the competition from civilian CSIs with real experience.
Tags: crime scene, police officers, Become Agent, crime scene investigation, criminal science