ABOUT MY CAREER
Crime Scene Investigation consists of collecting and analyzing physical evidence. There are many different types of CSI. For example, there is Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Laboratory Analyst, Criminalist, and Forensic Scientists. Though all of these fields are different, the main part of the job is to collect and test evidence. Collecting evidence may include things like collecting DNA, hair, trace evidence, record obvious findings, and any firearms evidence. They also take those items and carry out tests on them.(Crime Scene Investigator Career Guide) During the work day, CSI will have to work with others, such as, law enforcement. When working with law enforcement, they will all work together to isolate and secure the scene, establish a restricted perimeter, and make any restrictions regarding nonessential personnel and investigative personnel. While doing so, everyone will be required to follow the laws, make sure safety precautions are followed, and that everything is documented properly. Everything has to be in order and taken care of properly, such as, collecting evidence, transporting the evidence, and making sure that the evidence is processed correctly without compromising it.
This job can be very stressful. Many times, a crime scene investigator will get a phone call in the middle of the night or at three in the morning. Crime does not happen at convenient hours ."Crime happens at all hours which means that the hours of work can be crazy. One might not get a lot of time for themselves or for their family and that can be very hard to do. An investigator has to find something to do to relieve the stress"(Ainsworth, Steven). Being a CSI is a lot different than what people see on the television. This line of work does not always find the evidence needed to solve these crimes and can be frustrating. There are many times a CSI will tell the victim there is nothing there to find, they look at them as if they are incompetent because of what they see on television (Wallace, Samantha).
This job can be stressful, however, there are good aspects of the job as well. In the work day, you will be able to see many things and do many things that a lot of people will never be able to do or see in their entire lives. This job will have the opportunity to be able to help people who are having the worst day of their life.
As CSI, the median pay is $56,302 per year which equals out to be $27.08 per hour. In some locations, the pay is higher. There has been an increase in jobs by 27% which is faster than most job increases. A bachelor degree is required for most technician jobs and a least a 2 year degree for assistant criminologist positions(Occupational Outlook Handbook).
BENEFITS
Someday one can lead their own investigation.
- One will be able to know what's going on in the community.
- One will be able to see things others don't get to in life
- This job will not be boring.
- One will be able to do things that others will never be able to do in their lives.
- One will be able to make people happy when they have the worst days of their life.
- One family time becomes precious.
COSTS AND DRAWBACKS
One's shifts are not always the same due to when crime happens.
- This job takes a lot of time because one needs to make sure that they have collected all of the evidence that there is.
- There will be some Gruesome crime scenes such as dead bodies with no heads.
- There will also be bad smells because dead people don't always smell the best.
- Where one works depends on how much money you earn.
- One will have to deal with dead bodies.
- This job can cause a lot of stress. All one has to do is find a way to relieve that stress. (Ainsworth, Steven)
POST-SECONDARY ONE: BYU-IDAHO
My post secondary option is going to school at Brigham Young University Idaho which is a four-year university. This school is located in Rexburg,Idaho. BYU-I does have a criminal justice program. This program, however, does not offer the criminology degree but offers a certificate. To get a job, I will need to have the degree. One semester at BYU-I is only $1,915 for taking twelve or more credits. Some of the classes include, Criminology, Intro to Criminal Justice, Law and Society, Juvenile Delinquency, and Drugs and Society.
There is an average score of 22 and up on the ACT test for admittance into BYUI and a grade point average of 3.0 and above. However, they will accept lower scores based on the person and their extra curricular achievements as well.
POST-SECONDARY TWO: CASPER COLLEGE
My second post secondary option is going to school at Casper College that is located in Casper, Wyoming. This school has a great criminal justice program that offers an associate degree in criminology. This school is only a two year school, so I will not be able to get a bachelor's degree there. With this two year degree in criminology, I will be able to get a job right after college while continuing with a bachelor degree elsewhere. This costs $1,812 a semester for taking twelve or more credits.
Casper College does not have a requirement for a certain high school GPA or ACT score, only that one has to take the test and turn in their GPA
WHY I WANT THIS CAREER
This career has always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I would play detective games with my siblings and I would see who had a better eye for things. I have always had a better eye for things than most people. I can see what others miss, such as, small details like a tan line of where a watch use to be or if there is anything missing or even if the shoelaces are untied. Some will think that it just happened, but nothing just happens. Everything happens for a reason. With this job I will be able to help people who are having the worst day of their life. This will bring them happiness and more than what they had after the crime because you get to bring them justice. This job will be exciting. I will be able to see things no one will ever get to see in their entire lives! I will also be able to do things that no one will be able to do. I know that this job will take a lot of time out of my life but, I believe that it is worth it. Seeing people be happy and help them out the best I can will make all of their emotions even out. Also, seeing other people happy makes me happy. I am not that kind of person who wants to see others fall. I will build others up so they can have a great life.
TO ENTER THIS CAREER I MUST:
I will need to have a degree in criminology.
- I will need to have a bachelor's degree.
- I am learning a new language. It isn't necessary but it gives me a better chance. I am learning Sign Language.
- I will maybe go through a few academies such as a training academy.
- This is not recommended but one can be a police cadet through an academy.
- To get to the top, I will need specialized training.
- I must have extensive, in-service training on top of my education.
- As a CSI, I will need to be state-licensed and/or have a professional certification.(What it Takes to Become A CSI).
SOURCES
Ainsworth, Steven. Personal Interview. 17 Apr 2016.
Wallace, Samantha. Personal Interview. 17 Apr 2016