How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator

1) Start by earning a degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Justice or a Physical Science (a common degree is a bachelor's degree in criminal justice)

2) Some crime scene investigator jobs require individuals to have police officer status, or higher education with a strong background in science.

3) Read more about crime scene investigator careers below, and then request free information from schools that will give you the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a crime scene investigator.

Learn about Becoming a Crime Scene Investigator

A crime scene investigator career provides individuals with both an intellectual challenge and an exciting day-to-day job environment. As forensic technology continues to develop, crime scene investigator jobs are gaining popularity. As a crime scene investigator, you can expect to be called on to the scene of complex crimes including home invasions, burglary, armed robbery, homicides and sexual assault. You must be prepared to work any time of day or night, whenever and wherever a crime occurs.

Crime scene investigator jobs consist of a number of duties including assessing and processing crime scenes, gathering and transferring evidence, viewing autopsies, attending conferences and briefings with police agencies, preparing detailed crime reports, testifying in court, maintaining equipment, and continuing your education.

How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator: Education

Many crime scene investigation jobs require a bachelor's degree in science with an emphasis on criminal investigation or law enforcement. Other jobs may require a criminal justice degree with some background in science. Below you will find a number of online and campus-based schools that offer a variety of criminal investigation and criminal justice degrees. Request free information and get your crime scene investigator Career started today. This is certainly an exciting time to become a crime scene investigator.

Crime Scene Investigator Salary

Now that you know how to become a crime scene investigator and what the job is like, you'll be curious about the salary you can make. Depending upon education and experience, the salary of a CSI may range from $38,000 to $67,407 per year, according to payscale.com. With a bonus of between $486 and $5,087, your CSI salary may go up to between $38,486 and $72,494.

Request free information from University of Phoenix Criminal Justice Degree Program to learn more about how a degree can help you become a crime scene investigator.

Online Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Justice Degrees

star= Staff Recommended

Kaplan University:

request info

Bachelor's in Crime Scene Investigation
BSCJ - Crime Analysis
Crime Scene Technician Certificate
AAS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

American InterContinental University:

req info

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

University of Phoenix:

req info

Associate's Degree - Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice
Master's Degree - Justice Administration

Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

request info

BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ

Baker College Online: Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, which is an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

req info

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Capella University:

request

BS in Criminal Justice
BS Public Safety - Emergency Management, Homeland Security
MS in Criminal Justice
MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
MS in Public Safety Leadership
PhD Programs - Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Safety Leadership

Colorado Technical University Online:

request

A.S. in Criminal Justice
B.S. in Criminal Justice
M.S. in Management Criminal Justice

starKeiser University Online :

reqinfo

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Master's in Criminal Justice

starLiberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.

infobutton

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Lincoln College Online:

request info

BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

Request information from Lincoln College to learn more.

Portland State University:

request info

Bachelor's - Criminology and Criminal Justice

Utica College Online:

request info

Certificate in Financial Crimes Investigation
Bachelor's - Cybercrime Investigations and Security
Bachelor's - Cybersecurity - Information Assurance
Bachelor's - Economic Crime Investigation
MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management

Virginia College:

request

AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Cybersecurity

Crime Scene Investigation and Related Programs by State

starRequest information from the schools(s) by selecting a campus location

Arizona

Everest College:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Criminal Investigations, Criminal Justice

Florida

American InterContinental University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Criminal Justice, Corrections, Forensic Science, Law/Courts, Law Enforcement

Everest University:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's | Criminal Justice, Criminal Investigations, Paralegal, and Homeland Security Specialist

Keiser University:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Crime Scene Tech, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies

Rasmussen College:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Client Services/Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security, Investigation/Law Enforcement, Legal/Criminal Justice, Office Mgmt, Paralegal

Illinois

Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's | Psychology - Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Corrections, Crime Scene Evidence, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Paralegal

Westwood College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Corrections, Crime Scene Evidence, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Paralegal

Missouri

Colorado Technical University:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Court Reporting, Criminal Justice, Cybercrime Investigations, Forensic Investigation

North Dakota

Rasmussen College:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Client Services/Corrections, Crime Scene Evidence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security, Human Services, Investigation/Law Enforcement, Legal/Criminal Justice, Office Mgmt