Training for a Crime Scene Technician

Are you looking into forensic work? Are you keen to get involved and help out at crime scenes? If you’re considering crime scene technician training, this guide is packed with information about what training entails.

What exactly is a crime scene technician?

A crime scene technician is a highly-trained individual who works alongside law enforcement professionals to utilize advanced skills and techniques to gather evidence to solve crimes. Crime scene technicians carry out a varied range of tasks, which are focused on collecting and preserving evidence at the scene of a crime. These skilled professionals play a vital role in piecing sequences together and enabling law enforcement officers and departments to build strong cases.

Training for a crime scene technician

Crime scene technicians undergo extensive training to allow them to develop and hone advanced skills. Crime scene technician training typically involves these key stages:

• Apply for and complete a degree program or gain relevant professional experience. Educational requirements for degree programs vary, so check the course details before you submit your application.

• Apply for a job: once you have submitted your application, you should be ready to undergo background checks and attend an interview. Before an interview, take your time to go through any instructions that have been provided, prepare in advance, research the employer, think about questions you’d like to ask and practice answering questions and speaking aloud. If you have been asked to give a presentation or a talk, for example, rehearse several times and try to pre-empt questions that may come from the panel. Be confident in your own abilities, maintain eye contact and don’t rush.

• Pass a polygraph exam, physical examination and a psychological assessment: these tests are designed to ensure that you are physically and mentally ready to start work as a crime scene technician.

• Get the job, gain experience and complete further training. Most employers will offer the opportunity to train on the job and to undertake continuous training as part of career development programs.

In most cases, employees who start a new job as a crime scene technician will be supervised for a period of time, working alongside senior, experienced members of the team to develop skills and learn about the processes and responsibilities involved. The length of training will depend on the individual company or employer. Once this period is complete, employees will be able to work independently.

Additional skills and character traits

As well as completing training, it’s beneficial for crime scene technicians to have the following skills and character traits:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws

• Technology and IT skills

• Listening and communication skills

• Critical thinking

• Ability to adapt to changing environments

• Ability to work individually or as part of a multi-faceted team

Summary

Crime scene technicians are skilled professionals who play a critical role in collecting, preserving and identifying evidence to help solve crimes. If you’re looking to pursue this career path, it’s beneficial to have an understanding of what crime scene technician training entails before you apply.