Crime scene investigators (also known as CSIs) are the people in-charged with the examination of crime scenes. They gather and process evidences from the scenes. Their salaries vary on the type of duties that they perform. In addition to these, the wages that they receive are based on their current job position. To know how much does a crime scene investigator make, it is best to have a look at the occupations and salaries given to experts in the field of forensic science.
Salary
How much does a crime scene investigator? The amount of salaries that these people receive depends on the length of stay in a particular agency as well as the responsibilities and tasks that they do. In the United States, the average annual salary of CSIs range from $30,000 to $60,000. When the duties assigned to them become more specialized, their salaries increase. For instance, crime scene analysts receive a daily salary of $31.87 while the daily salary of crime lab analysts is $16.75.
How to Become a CSI
For those who are satisfied with the average salaries received by CSIs and want to become one of them, then there are some qualifications and requirements that they should satisfy. There are police departments in the United States that prefer applicants who have completed a bachelor degree in forensic science. To be considered in the position, applicants should pass a series of trainings that will test and evaluate their skills and knowledge on evidence collection and investigative procedures.
Job Description
The position calls for individuals who have extensive understanding and knowledge on tasks related to crime scene investigations. The duties of crime scene investigators include thorough examination of the scene of the crime, the proper collection of evidences, use of various tools and equipment in collecting and analyzing evidences as well as use of appropriate methods to process the evidences. In addition to these, CSIs testify in courts about the results of investigations and the approaches used in the analysis of evidences.
CSIs are expected to be present at crime scenes at all times. To analyze the crime, investigators should have sufficient understanding on the reconstruction of events before, during and right after the crime happened. To avoid the evidences from being contaminated, they should properly store them in the police department. Above all, CSIs should have thorough understanding on previous court cases as well as state and federal laws in order to lead the police officers to the right suspect or suspects.
