Crime Scene Investigator Job Description [Updated for 2025]

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A 153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator, or Crime Scene Technician, is responsible for assisting law enforcement officials by collecting evidence from a crime scene for future analysis. Their duties include taking photographs of a crime scene, marking and bagging up potential evidence for forensics professionals and providing insights throughout the investigation and at the trial stage.

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator duties and responsibilities

Crime Scene Investigators have a variety of duties to perform when working a crime scene including:

Collaborating with law enforcement to identify and secure the crime scene
Looking for and identifying physical clues at the crime scene to help reconstruct the act of the crime
Identifying and recording physical evidence such as impressions, DNA evidence, firearms evidence and chemical evidence
Following a strict procedural code to document and preserve physical evidence to send to a forensic lab for analysis

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Crime Scene Investigator Job Description Examples

Example 1

The City of Hamlet is hiring a Crime Scene Investigator/Detective which will operate out of the investigative division. A successful applicant must have a minimum of three years full time sworn law enforcement experience and meet all the hiring requirements established by the North Carolina Law Enforcement Training and Standards Division. Applicants must be a current law enforcement officer who demonstrates an aptitude for details and criminal investigations.

Come work for an All-American City! We are looking for energetic and motivated candidates who desires to work for an excellent team driven department which places services to our community as a fundamental tenement. Our administration's focus on the success of our staff and their safety is paramount.

The City of Hamlet is growing and diverse community of approximately 7000 residents. We are centrally located with a short drive to Raleigh, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. We are less than an hour away from world class golfing in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. Our community offers a strong school system, multiple parks, and numerous recreational activities. Come enjoy kayaking on the Great Pee Dee River or exploring our many local state parks.

Our department offers specialize units for our team. Career advancement, tuition assistance, reduced fitness memberships, state retirement, a 401K (City provides 5%), medical, dental, vision, and numerous other benefits.

A successful candidate must have a recognized high school diploma, a Basic Law Enforcement Certification or currently enrolled in an accredited program. Certified in-state and out-of-state applicants are encouraged to apply. Applicant must successfully complete a comprehensive hiring process. A medical and psychological exam will be required. The City of Hamlet is an EOC employer. All interested applicants are asked to call Lieutenant Edwin [email address]

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,506.00 - $50,527.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Flexible schedule
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance

Schedule:

10 hour shift
12 hour shift
8 hour shift
Day shift
Holidays
Monday to Friday
Night shift
On call
Overtime
Weekend availability

Education:

High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

Law enforcement: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

Driver's License (Preferred)
BLET (Basic Law Enforcement Training) Certification (Required)

Shift availability:

Day Shift (Preferred)
Night Shift (Preferred)
Overnight Shift Location: One location

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What does a Crime Scene Investigator do?

Crime Scene Investigators are typically employed by law enforcement agencies or coroner’s offices to help identify and preserve evidence from crime scenes. They take written notes at the crime scene that they can then use in conjunction with photographs and other details to create a written report of what they saw. Their job is to survey the scene to identify any potential evidence like household objects, blood, hair or other bodily fluids. They also take preventative measures by wearing shoe coverings, gloves and sometimes even masks or hazmat suits. This is to make sure that they don’t contaminate the scene in any way.

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator skills and qualifications

A successful 153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator candidate has a combination of prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to perform their duties:

Understanding of the law: Crime Scene Investigators often work with law enforcement agencies and use their knowledge of the law to follow strict protocol.
Problem-solving: Crime Scene Investigators use their expertise in identifying evidence to help law enforcement determine what happened at the crime scene.
Photography: While working the crime scene, Crime Scene Investigators document physical evidence through photography. They properly light areas that they photograph and take pictures from different angles.
Attention to detail: 153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigators look for physical evidence such as impressions, DNA and chemical evidence that may be barely noticeable or which may need to undergo a chemical test to be visible.

Crime Scene Investigator salary expectations

Common salary: 26.03 HOURLY
Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 58.50 HOURLY
Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Crime Scene Investigator education and training requirements

A high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement to become a Crime Scene Investigator, but many law enforcement agencies require candidates to hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a natural science such as biology or chemistry. Those who have earned an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field can learn the fundamentals of crime scene investigation and management by completing a crime scene technician certification program. Crime Scene Investigators who work for a police department may need to complete police academy training and earn a license through their state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training program to become a sworn police officer.

Crime Scene Investigator experience requirements

Crime Scene Investigators need to be familiar with procedures such as processing evidence and testifying in court. Many positions require previous experience working as a Crime Scene Investigator, though entry-level candidates can gain professional experience in the field by completing an internship with a law enforcement group. Some programs of study require students to complete an internship so that they graduate with applicable experience.

Recent graduates can also gain experience by working in a similar work environment in positions such as a crime scene custodian, police officer or dispatcher. Many Crime Scene Investigator jobs require candidates to obtain a Certified Crime Scene Investigator certificate through the International Association for Identification (IAI), which Crime Scene Investigators can complete after a year working in the profession.

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Frequently asked questions about Crime Scene Investigators

The difference between a Crime Scene Investigator and a Detective is that Detectives have a more senior role in the investigative process. Crime Scene Investigators are the only ones responsible for collecting evidence from the scene of the crime. While Detectives may be present at the crime scene, they don’t partake in those duties. Instead, they might survey the scene and interview witnesses. Later in the process, Detectives use the information gathered by Crime Scene Investigators and analyzed by Forensic Scientists to create a list of suspects for the crime.

On a typical day, Crime Scene Investigators may start by reviewing evidence photos and notes from a previous crime scene. From this, they may begin or continue creating a crime scene report. Throughout the day, they may communicate with detectives and other law enforcement personnel about the status of their report as they wait to hear back about evidence in the lab.

They may be asked to go to a crime scene during their work hours to conduct their routine analysis and collection of evidence. On another day, they might testify in court as an expert witness to a crime scene they worked on in the past.

A good Crime Scene Investigator is someone who has a detail-oriented mindset, which allows them to pick out small details that others might miss. Due to the nature of certain crime scenes, a good Crime Scene Investigator should be able to handle potentially unsettling crime scenes. They should also be able to channel their passion for justice into a way to carry out their job duties even in stressful environments.

Crime Scene Investigators should also be able to speak and write well, as they may need to communicate what they saw at various stages of an investigation and provide written documentation about a crime scene.

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Crime Scene Investigator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator duties and responsibilities

Crime Scene Investigator Job Description Examples

Example 1

Build your Crime Scene Investigator job description in minutes.

What does a Crime Scene Investigator do?

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator skills and qualifications

Crime Scene Investigator salary expectations

Crime Scene Investigator salary expectations

Crime Scene Investigator education and training requirements

Crime Scene Investigator experience requirements

Job description samples for similar positions

Frequently asked questions about Crime Scene Investigators

Hire your next Crime Scene Investigator today.

Job Description Examples

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Crime Scene Investigator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator duties and responsibilities

Crime Scene Investigator Job Description Examples

Example 1

Build your Crime Scene Investigator job description in minutes.

What does a Crime Scene Investigator do?

153090criminal justice8.52crime scene technician6.27crime scene5.97forensic5.2crime scene investigator4.2629127323127.2526.0358.50HOURLY5115202025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Crime Scene Investigator skills and qualifications

Crime Scene Investigator salary expectations

Crime Scene Investigator salary expectations

Crime Scene Investigator education and training requirements

Crime Scene Investigator experience requirements

Job description samples for similar positions

Frequently asked questions about Crime Scene Investigators

Hire your next Crime Scene Investigator today.

Job Description Examples

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