Crime Scene Examiner

What a Crime Scene Examiner Does

Crime scenes are packed with evidence that can either convict or acquit someone who has been accused of a crime. Crime scenes can be anything from a traffic accident to a grisly murder scene, and crime scene examiners must be prepared to deal with it all. These examiners gather and protect evidence found at the crime scene. They prevent others from ruining the evidence due to mishandling as well as protect the crime scene from the natural elements. They carefully document all of the relevant data that they can find to help reconstruct what took place during the crime. They may dust for fingerprints, make molds of footprints, locate trace evidence like hair and fibers, and even collect biological data that can be mined for DNA evidence, like hair, blood, or semen. In addition to collecting evidence, crime scene examiners spend extensive time in laboratories looking over the evidence to find patterns and clues. In the end, their job is to put together a comprehensive picture of how the crime occurred.

How to Become a Crime Scene Examiner

Crime scene examiners must be highly trained to know exactly what to look for as well as knowledgeable in a number of different scientific disciplines. A bachelor's degree in a discipline like criminal justice, forensic science, or physical anthropology is essential. Graduate degrees are also beneficial, especially for those who desire to tackle more challenging projects or work as supervisors. For example, lab supervisors must have a doctoral degree. During their undergraduate college career, students should take courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, pharmacology, and other related topics to help them understand the science behind crime scene investigation. Knowledge of legal procedures and laws is also helpful and is something that all criminal justice majors should earn. Most crime scene examiners receive their training on the job when it comes to specific job duties. There are also certification opportunities for these examiners, but it is entirely voluntary.

Career Outlook for Crime Scene Examiners

The increase in population will inevitably bring about an increase in crime rates as well. For this reason, the demand for skilled crime scene examiners will skyrocket. In fact, employment opportunities for crime scene examiners are projected to increase a whopping 20 percent during the 2008-18 decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that the employment numbers for these examiners will grow from 12,800 in 2008 to 15,300 in 2018, opening up 2,500 new jobs for aspiring crime scene examiners. This number doesn't even include the dozens of positions that will be left vacant as current crime scene examiners retire or leave the industry for one reason or another. The hourly wages for crime scene examiners, also called forensic scientists, are substantial as well. They earned a median hourly wage of $23.97 in May 2008, the latest information available from the BLS. Using that basis and calculating it with a 40-hour work week and a 50-week work year, crime scene examiners typically earn an annual salary of $47,940.