If you’re a closet crime scene investigator you probably already know quite a bit about the science of forensics. You can probably set your watch by TV shows like Law and Order and CSI, but isn’t it time you got off the sidelines and made your dreams a reality? To become a crime scene investigator takes great dedication and commitment but it is possible to make your dreams come true. To enter this exciting world of science and mystery there are three steps you need to take. Read on to discover what they are and you could become a crime scene investigator become part of a unique and important world.

Step # 1

Learn All You Can About the Job of Crime Scene Investigation

* Find out exactly what a crime scene investigator does (and not only the exciting parts, the paperwork too!). Learn what special skills, knowledge and abilities you need to do the job well. Find out if your personality type suits the job you want to do (for example do you faint at the sight of blood?).

Do research to determine what education and experience will get you your dream job. Of course there is some flexibility here as requirements vary from job to job and also depend on the agency you will be working for.

* Do a thorough study of the job summaries listed on the employment pages. This way you can get a good idea of the type of responsibilities successful applicants will have and understand the requirements for the job.

* Visit the Crime-Scene-Investigator.net Web site at : http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net and look over the article entitled: Duty Description for the Crime Scene Investigator, by Mike Byrd of the Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit. This will give you great insight of the daily life of those who become a crime scene investigator.

* Make contact with several nearby agencies and find out what their employees do each day as well their minimum application requirements. Ask also about how often they have job openings.

Step # 2

Prepare for the Job as a CSI

* There are jobs in crime scene investigation that ask for a 4 year degree in science to become a crime scene investigator but other jobs require only a GED or High School graduation. In some cases you may be required to be a sworn police officer before you will be able to work as a crime scene investigator.

* In the case where the job you would like does require you to have formal training your next step would be to contact local colleges and universities. The above site has a college and university page for you to peruse but many community colleges have ‘Criminal Justice’ classes that do include crime scene investigations in the curriculum.

* No matter what the job requirements are you can prepare for the interview by informing yourself as much as possible by teaching yourself about the job you have your heart set on. Do this by:

* 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.

Step # 3

Apply for the Job as a Crime Scene Investigator

Right! Now that you have clued yourself up on the job you are applying for it’s time to get your resume in order. Always attach one to the application unless you are expressly asked not to. A good resume can make all the difference between getting a job or at least that all-important interview.

* Use a good resume writing service to prepare a unique and informative resume and attractive cover letter. Make sure that before you apply you know what the job entails and as much as you can about the community it works in. A question that is often asked in interviews is “What do you know about our department and community?”

Know the answers to standard questions as well as the more tricky ones. Your interviewer will almost certainly ask you why you want to become a crime scene investigator so be prepared to know the answer!

If you truly want to become a crime scene investigator your job won’t always be easy so be sure to prepare yourself psychologically for the stress of a job that isn’t always pretty. Before applying for the job you want ask yourself if you feel you will be able to cope with its demands. If the answer is yes and you want a job with amazing rewards and a sense of community service then by all means go for it. Follow the guidelines above to become a crime scene investigator and get the job of your dreams. Good luck super-sleuth!