Crime Scene Investigator

Also called: CSI, Evidence Technician

Photographs, documents and collects evidence at crime scenes for police departments and crime labs, keeping a careful chain of custody.

A day in the life

Arrives at a scene at 3 a.m., photographs everything, sprays chemicals to reveal hidden blood, and bags evidence while keeping a perfect chain of custody.

Pay over a career

Starting

$42k

Typical

$62k

High

$95k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in forensic science or a natural science; some police officers move into the role.

Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Biology.

Outlook

Growing much faster than average (about 13% over 10 years). Follows forensic science technicians.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. 3D scanners and drones help document scenes, but searching, collecting evidence and chain of custody stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Chemistry, Photography.

• Law Enforcement Explorers
• Science Olympiad Forensics
• Yearbook or school paper photographer

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4092.

More Forensic Science careers

• Forensic Science Technician
• Forensic DNA Analyst
• Forensic Pathologist
• Crime Laboratory Director
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Forensic Odontologist
• Forensic Toxicologist
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• Evidence Custodian
• Forensic Photographer
• Forensic Science Professor
• Trace Evidence Examiner
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• Forensic Taphonomist

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.