How to Becoming a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - Part 2
* Reading the right books On Crime Scene Investigation - good examples are:
1. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation by Barry A.J. Fisher 6 edition (January 26, 2000) -This book details important concepts, field-tested techniques and procedures, and technical information relating to the field. It is used by police academies, community colleges, and universities.
The International Association for Identification, the American Board of Criminalistics, and the Forensic Science Society recommend this book for the certification examinations required by all those who seek to become a crime scene investigator.
2. Crime Scene Evidence: A Guide to the Recovery and Collection of
Physical Evidence by Mike Byrd (July 2, 2001) - Written by a veteran crime scene investigator, this book is designed for use in the field and is a reference in the recovery, collection, and packaging of crime scene evidence.
Evidence dealt with in the book includes impression evidence, forensic biology evidence, trace evidence, firearms evidence and questioned documents. Several photographs, diagrams and tables are included. Most crime scene evidence is dealt with including fingerprints on human skin, to recovering bullets from inside walls. An appendix listing likely evidence found at scenes by type of investigation is invaluable for anybody wanting to become a crime scene investigator.
Buy a basic fingerprint kit and use the book to teach yourself to collect fingerprint evidence properly. You can get a good one at Chief Supply for upwards of $35.
* If you want to become a crime scene investigator two skills will help you land a good job, these are photography and fingerprint taking. You may even be required to be a skilled photographer to apply for a job. Find yourself a good book on basic photography and teach yourself this valuable skill.
* You will also need to clue yourself up on crime scene and evidence photography. Try: Crime Scene and Evidence Photographer's Guide by Steven Staggs (June 1997). This book details instructions for photographing a crimes scenes and evidence and is important reading for all those who wish to become a crime scene investigator.
It is a valuable reference tool when combined with training and experience and perfect for students and others interested in entering into the field of crime scene investigation. It is intended to be carried in an evidence kit or camera bag and is a wealth of information on photographing crime scenes and evidence.
* To improve your fingerprinting skills read: Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison by Gary W. Jones (October 16, 2000). This book was written by retired FBI Supervisory Fingerprint Specialist Gary W. Jones and is a great choice for understanding and learning the basic skills in fingerprint comparison.
* Candidates that speak both English and Spanish are often given preference when applying for jobs. Take classes in Spanish or another second language to make your application more attractive or learn Spanish by means of tapes or an online foreign course. If you want to become a crime scene investigator you will need to be prepared to deal with all kinds of people and situations and a third language will prove invaluable.
