Crime Scene Technician

A degree in Criminal Investigations can qualify you for many vital careers in public safety, surveillance, corrections, drug enforcement and more.

Graduates of Criminal Investigations programs may work in federal, state, and local governments, forensic laboratories, medical examiners offices, hospitals, insurance companies, universitieis, arson investigation units, homicide investigations, and laboratories.

Fingerprint Technicians
Fingerprint technicians are responsible for investigating crime scenes, objects for fingerprints and exhibits. They collect, preserve and process fingerprints and exhibits. They prepare documents for evidential purposes and giving of evidence.

Evidence Technicians
Evidence technicians prepare reports to document their findings and the laboratory techniques used, and they may provide information and expert opinion to investigators.

Private Investigation
Private investigators offer many services, including executive, corporate, and celebrity protection; pre-employment verification; and individual background profiles. They investigate computer crimes, such as identity theft, harassing e-mails, and illegal downloading of copyrighted material. They also provide assistance in civil liability and personal injury cases, insurance claims and fraud, child custody and protection cases, missing persons cases, and premarital screening. They are sometimes hired to investigate individuals to prove or disprove infidelity.

Criminal Investigations Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statisitics, jobs for crime scene technicians are expected to increase at a rate much faster than average. Technicians who work for state public safety departments can look forward to a favorable employment market. Along with those just starting out, career-changers often choose to become crime scene technicians, transitioning from fields such as allied health, law, and science.

Qualified crime scene techicians can seek employment opportunities in:

• Law enforcement agencies
• Medical examiners' offices
• Laboratories
• Insurance companies
• Large law firms

Crime Scene Technician Certificate
The Crime Scene Technician Certificate, offered through Kaplan's School of Criminal Justice, is designed for law enforcement professionals and private citizens who wish to begin a fascinating career in crime scene investigation. The Crime Scene Technician Certificate program consists of 44 quarter credit hours, which can be completed in as little as one year.

Required courses include:

• Criminal Investigation
• Criminal Evidence
• Crime Scene Investigation : Photography and Fingerprinting
• Criminalistics

• Criminal Justice / Crime Analysis - BS
• Criminal Justice / Crime Scene Investigation - BS

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Criminal Investigations - Associate of Applied Science
The Online Criminal Investigations program provides students with the fundamentals of crime scene investigation science and theory. The online criminal investigations program provides students with personal and professional development skills for successful employment within the criminal investigations field.

The Criminal Investigations program includes training in the following:

• Fingerprints Classification & Latents
• Crime Scene Photography
• Biological Evidence
• Crime Scene Dynamics
• Technology Crimes
• Criminalistics

Everest College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice / Forensic Science
AIU Online's BSCJ degree with a concentration in Forensic Science is designed to help meet the need for career-focused professionals with the knowledge and skills to pursue exciting opportunities in this growing area of the criminal justice industry. The program features industry-relevant coursework taught by faculty members with real-world experience in the criminal justice industry.

• Clear explanations of the techniques, abilities, and limitations within the field of forensic sicence and its applications to criminal investigations
• Forensic science techniques of criminal investigations, how to process a crime scene and notify next of kin
• Appropriate techniques to safeguard evidence and interact with investigative authorities

AIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.