Every Thursday night your friends know where to find you: glued to the television watching CSI. You aren't fazed by blood and gore because you're fascinated by the unusual crimes and finding the missing link that will solve the case. You know that details count in CSI: a drop of blood, a partial footprint, a single strand of hair. The criminals are smart, but they will never outsmart you, Gil Grissom, and the CSI team.
Do you try and solve the cases before Grissom and his posse can? Do you know trace evidence from direct evidence? As the finale approaches, CSI will take a break, but you can go on to undertake your own investigations by pursuing a career in criminal justice or forensic science. Real-life cases take more than an hour to solve, but skills like problem solving, tapping your intuition, and analyzing evidence still apply. If you want to commit yourself to a life of justice and protecting others from pathological criminals, a real-life career in crime scene investigation could be your calling.
Police Investigators and Detectives: Busting the Bad Guys
If interviewing suspects and interrogating witnesses is your idea of a fun night, detective work could very well be your thing. Unlike the show CSI, where the Uber-detective might collect evidence, analyze it in the lab, then use it to make a suspect squirm under interrogation, real-life crime fighters have separate roles with distinct responsibilities. Detectives are responsible for collecting evidence and facts, while forensic pathologists are responsible for analyzing them. Detectives also interview witnesses, examine records, monitor suspects, perform raids, and make arrests. It is important to recognize that detective work can be both dangerous and stressful because you come in close contact with real life criminals. It is common to work irregular hours and put in overtime. In addition, most detective jobs are located in cities because that's where the crime is.
Detective work is a highly competitive field--lots of people want to match wits with bad guys. While a college degree is not required to become a detective, it will give you an edge over the competition and a better shot at criminal justice stardom. A 2-year associate's degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree increases your chance of being hired and eventually promoted in a police department. Criminal justice degrees are available through most major universities. In addition to degrees, certifications can also prepare you for becoming a detective. Criminal justice certifications can serve as a stepping-stone for obtaining a degree, or if you already have a degree in an unrelated field, they can help facilitate a career change.
- Detectives: "Just the facts ma'am"
- Demand: 842,000 police & detective jobs in 2004
- Perks: excellent benefits; retirement after 25 years (many go on to second careers in their 40s or 50s)
- Median Salary: $54,000 in May 2004
Forensic Scientists: Unlocking the Secrets of Evidence
Besides detectives, almost all of the main characters on CSI are forensic scientists. Forensic pathologists collect and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes. There are several areas for specialization in forensic science such as weapons and firearms, DNA analysis, and different substances like hair, body fluids, and fibers. Like the CSI scientists, real life forensics experts work in crime labs and use high-tech gadgets for analyzing evidence. They can also be found at crime scenes collecting evidence. In criminal trials, forensic scientists are often called to testify as expert witnesses and present the results of their analyses of the evidence. For example, a blood spatter expert like Catherine Willows might testify that the spatter of blood at the crime scene indicated that the victim was shot from above and approximately 10 feet away.
To become a forensic science technician, a college degree in a field of science is almost always necessary. Some schools even offer more specialized degrees such as pathology, odontology, and toxicology. By obtaining a degree, you will gain valuable lab experience and analytical skills that are necessary for the job. Strong organizational skills and an eye for detail are also important in forensic science.
- Crime Technician Jobs Under the Microscope
- Employers: roughly 900 police agencies employ full-time CSIs
- Education: varies with the agency
- Job Summary: Using high-tech gadgets to solve crimes
If you love watching CSI and solving crime from your couch, why not consider making it your career? While the lives of real life detectives and forensic scientists are not as glamorous or dramatic as those of Grissom's team on CSI, they too are solving cases and convicting criminals. By becoming a detective or forensic scientist, you are dedicating your life to making our cities safer and bringing criminals to justice.
