Crime Scene Investigator/Scenes of Crime Officer

Crime scene investigators (CSIs), also known as scenes of crime officers (SOCOs), attend crime scenes to record and examine evidence. The evidence they discover is then used to investigate crimes.

The tasks of a CSI may include:

• protecting the crime scene to avoid evidence being disturbed
• searching an area for footwear marks and examining for fingerprints
• taking photographs of accidents and injuries
• taking samples of saliva from people for DNA testing
• examining for trace evidence such as hair, fibres and blood
• preparing statements of evidence
• attending court with the exhibits collected in the course of an enquiry.

CSIs normally work about 40 hours a week, including weekends. They can be called out to crime scenes at any time of the day or night. They are based in police stations, but travel to wherever a crime has taken place.

Salaries may range from around £18,000 to around £35,000 a year.

A CSI needs to:

• be able to concentrate for long periods of time
• be physically fit and agile
• be methodical, accurate and able to pay close attention to detail
• have normal colour vision
• have an interest in science and technology.

There are 43 police forces in the UK. The biggest single employer is the Metropolitan Police Service in London. CSIs also work for regional police forces, the British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence Police. Jobs also exist with agencies, such as the Forensic Science Service.

Individual forces set their own entry requirements, but graduate-level entry is becoming common. Useful skills include communication skills, photography skills and scientific ability. Foundation degrees and degrees in forensic science are available and the University of Teesside offers a degree in crime scene science.

Many CSIs start in an assistant role, mentored by an experienced CSI, attending crime scenes and learning police force procedures. The National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) runs training. CSIs take refresher courses every five years.

A CSI may progress to become a senior or principal CSI, with team-management responsibilities. With further training, experienced CSIs can be promoted to crime scene managers, responsible for crime scene investigations at major incidents. CSIs with a degree in a scientific subject may be able to become forensic scientists.

Further details