How to Become a Crime Scene Technician - Crime Scene Tech
Crime scene technicians are highly trained and hold, at least a certificate, associate degree or bachelor degree. Check with the agency your are interested in working for to learn more about their specific education and experience requirements. Many law enforcement agencies give preference to those applicants with an associate or bachelor degree in criminal justice, biology, forensic science, crime scene investigation, or chemistry. Experience in a forensic laboratory, crime scene investigation and/or photography will make you a more attractive candidate as well. Most law enforcement agencies will require candidates to successfully complete a background check, polygraph examination, physical examination and psychological evaluation. Current law enforcement professionals can supplement the degrees they currently hold and specialize as a crime scene technician by earning a crime scene technician certificate.
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Crime Scene Technician Job Description
Crime scene technician responsibilities include detection, collection and preservation of physical evidence found at crime scenes, fingerprint processing and analysis, photography, physical evidence examination and analysis. Crime scene technicians can work along side law enforcement professionals at all levels, from the local and county police officers and prosecuters to special agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigations and other government agencies. There is a growing need for crime scene technicians and the employment outlook, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is promising. Those with a 4-year college degree related to criminal justice or science and specialization in the field of crime scene technician will have the most opportunity.
Crime scene technicians and crime scene investigators are similar professions and require similar education and experience. Learn more about a crime scene investigator career.
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Crime Scene Technician Salary
Crime scene technician salaries vary widely depending on the agency or department you work for and the education and work experience you possess. One crime scene technician job posting we found, in a midwestern city with a population of about 195,000, listed a salary of $40,265 to $52,785 for a crime scene technician that woul dbe working for the city and police department. Another job posting for a county in North Carolina posted a salary of $30,812 - $46,443 for a crime scene tecnician that would be covering the entire county.
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Everest College Online :
Criminal Investigations Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Associate's Degree
Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts Degree

Florida Tech University Online:
AA in Criminal Justice
BA in Criminal Justice

Kaplan University:
Crime Scene Technician Certificate (designed for Law Enforcement Professionals)
BSCJ - Crime Scene Analysis
AAS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

Rasmussen College Online:
Associate's in Crime Science Evidence
Associate's in Financial Investigation

Herzing University:
AS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Homeland Security

University of Phoenix Online:
Associate's Degree
- Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice
Master's Degree - Justice Administration

Utica College Online:
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

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Arizona
Everest College:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Criminal Investigations, Criminal Justice
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Mesa, Phoenix

Florida
Everest University:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's | Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice
Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Tampa, Brandon, Jacksonville, Pinellas, Lakeland, Melbourne, Pompano Beach, Orange Park, Orlando North, and South Orlando

Keiser University:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's | Crime Scene Tech, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota, and Tampa

Rasmussen College:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Crime Scene Evidence, Investigation/Law Enforcement, Client Services/Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security, Legal/Criminal Justice, Paralegal
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Ocala, Pasco County

Illinois
Rasmussen College:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Crime Scene Evidence, Investigation/Law Enforcement, Client Services/Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Rockford

Missouri
Colorado Technical University:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Cybercrime Investigation, Forensic Investigation, Criminal Justice
Click a Location to Request Program Information => North Kansas City

North Dakota
Rasmussen College:
Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Crime Scene Evidence, Investigation/Law Enforcement, Client Services/Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminal Offenders, Homeland Security
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Fargo and Bismacrk

Virginia
George Washington University:
Programs Offered: Master's | Forensic Sciences, High Technology Crime Investigation, Security Management
Click a Location to Request Program Information => Arlington
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