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Summer
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Elk River, Minnesota
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Is there a specialized major for being a crime scene investigator?
What should I look for when looking for colleges?
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2 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
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Dr’s Answer
Hey Summer,
Oh, wow, That’s awesome! Why? Wel duh, its nothing like solving mysteries and piecing together clues like a real-life detective! Anyways let's dig into my mind now 🤪.
So, is there a specific major for it? Kinda, but not always. Some colleges do offer degrees in forensic science or crime scene investigation, but a lot of people in this field actually start out in criminal justice, biology, chemistry, or even psychology. It really depends on what part of CSI work you’re into. If you love the science-y side—testing evidence, analyzing DNA, figuring out what mysterious substances are—that’s where biology or chemistry comes in. If you’re more into the detective work—interviewing witnesses, understanding criminal behavior, or building a solid case—then criminal justice or forensic psychology could be a better fit.
When looking at colleges, check if they offer hands-on lab work, forensic internships, or partnerships with law enforcement. Some schools even have crime scene simulation labs where you can practice investigating fake crime scenes (without the actual, y’know… crime). Also, keep an eye out for accreditation—schools with solid forensic science programs are usually accredited by groups like FEPAC (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission), which basically means they teach the good stuff and not just TV drama nonsense.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Okay, but what should I be working on now to get a head start?”—great question. A few skills that can really help:
- **Attention to detail** – CSIs notice *everything*. Like, if you’re the type who catches typos in texts or can spot tiny differences in pictures, you’ve already got a skill that’ll help.
- **Problem-solving** – Crime scenes don’t come with step-by-step instructions. You gotta piece things together, connect the dots, and think outside the box.
- **Science & critical thinking** – If you hated chemistry in high school… well, I won’t lie, forensic science might be tough. But if you love figuring out *how* and *why* things happen, you’re on the right track.
- **Communication** – Writing clear reports and explaining findings is *huge*. Nobody likes a CSI who figures everything out but can’t explain it to a jury.
- **Staying calm under pressure** – Crime scenes aren’t always pretty. If you’re squeamish, now’s the time to start toughening up.
Also, a quick reality check: real-life CSI work isn’t as fast or flashy as it looks on TV. There are no fancy zoom-and-enhance buttons, cases take *weeks* (sometimes months), and paperwork is a big part of the job. But if you’re into mysteries, problem-solving, and bringing justice to cases, it’s a pretty amazing field.
Summer try to Find a major that lines up with what excites you most about CSI work, look for hands-on experience, and start building those detective skills now. You got this and if you need anything else or answers to be answered just keep asking. 💯
Oh, wow, That’s awesome! Why? Wel duh, its nothing like solving mysteries and piecing together clues like a real-life detective! Anyways let's dig into my mind now 🤪.
So, is there a specific major for it? Kinda, but not always. Some colleges do offer degrees in forensic science or crime scene investigation, but a lot of people in this field actually start out in criminal justice, biology, chemistry, or even psychology. It really depends on what part of CSI work you’re into. If you love the science-y side—testing evidence, analyzing DNA, figuring out what mysterious substances are—that’s where biology or chemistry comes in. If you’re more into the detective work—interviewing witnesses, understanding criminal behavior, or building a solid case—then criminal justice or forensic psychology could be a better fit.
When looking at colleges, check if they offer hands-on lab work, forensic internships, or partnerships with law enforcement. Some schools even have crime scene simulation labs where you can practice investigating fake crime scenes (without the actual, y’know… crime). Also, keep an eye out for accreditation—schools with solid forensic science programs are usually accredited by groups like FEPAC (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission), which basically means they teach the good stuff and not just TV drama nonsense.
Now, if you’re thinking, “Okay, but what should I be working on now to get a head start?”—great question. A few skills that can really help:
- **Attention to detail** – CSIs notice *everything*. Like, if you’re the type who catches typos in texts or can spot tiny differences in pictures, you’ve already got a skill that’ll help.
- **Problem-solving** – Crime scenes don’t come with step-by-step instructions. You gotta piece things together, connect the dots, and think outside the box.
- **Science & critical thinking** – If you hated chemistry in high school… well, I won’t lie, forensic science might be tough. But if you love figuring out *how* and *why* things happen, you’re on the right track.
- **Communication** – Writing clear reports and explaining findings is *huge*. Nobody likes a CSI who figures everything out but can’t explain it to a jury.
- **Staying calm under pressure** – Crime scenes aren’t always pretty. If you’re squeamish, now’s the time to start toughening up.
Also, a quick reality check: real-life CSI work isn’t as fast or flashy as it looks on TV. There are no fancy zoom-and-enhance buttons, cases take *weeks* (sometimes months), and paperwork is a big part of the job. But if you’re into mysteries, problem-solving, and bringing justice to cases, it’s a pretty amazing field.
Summer try to Find a major that lines up with what excites you most about CSI work, look for hands-on experience, and start building those detective skills now. You got this and if you need anything else or answers to be answered just keep asking. 💯
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Summer !
Before looking at the college path to investigate crime scenes, you may want to make some decision about exactly what career you'd want and then you can easily choose a Major for your degree. There are a couple of ways to go with this and you'd have to learn more about both types of careers and how the position works. Also consider the content of the career that most suits you.
Most CSI investigators are on staff as Police Officers at a police station. this being the case, sometimes, and I emphasize sometimes, a police precinct will hire a civilian scientist to do the CSI. So you need to decide if you'd want to become a Police Officer or a Scientist. Keep in mind that in today's economy, it is very expensive to hire in a scientist. I have lived in major cities and never knew police precincts to hire out like that. They just have their CSI police officer do it who is already on staff. I think if they have a budget for it and it's a special circumstance a precinct would possibly hire in for the scientist to do the CSI.
If you choose to become a police officer and want to go to college, you would major in Administration of Justice for your Bachelors Degree and then go to a Police Academy. The Bachelors Degree takes 4 years and the Police Academy in Minnesota is 14 - 16 weeks, but if you have the Bachelors Degree, some classroom work may be waived for you. After the Police Academy in your state of Minnesota, there is a five month Field Training Program to then incorporate you into the Minneapolis Police Department.
If you want to become a scientist that is once in a while hired by a police department, you would Major in Chemistry or Biology. There is a Major for Forensic Science, but that Major may limit you for full time work at a Lab or hospital so that you can support yourself while you wait to be hired per diem by a police department. I would recommend either Chemistry or Biology as a major to be more marketable for career jobs.
To make it easier on yourself, first decide if you want to be a Police Officer or a Scientist, then you can look at colleges that have strong programs for Administration of Justice or Science. Also keep in mind tuition, admission requirements and continue obtaining good grades for a strong GPA. Many community colleges offer degrees in both of these majors and you can transfer to a university for your Bachelors Degree. So, there are some decisions you'd have to make before looking at colleges but it will cut down on time and confusion if you choose the career, Police officer or Scientist, before choosing the major or college.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Before looking at the college path to investigate crime scenes, you may want to make some decision about exactly what career you'd want and then you can easily choose a Major for your degree. There are a couple of ways to go with this and you'd have to learn more about both types of careers and how the position works. Also consider the content of the career that most suits you.
Most CSI investigators are on staff as Police Officers at a police station. this being the case, sometimes, and I emphasize sometimes, a police precinct will hire a civilian scientist to do the CSI. So you need to decide if you'd want to become a Police Officer or a Scientist. Keep in mind that in today's economy, it is very expensive to hire in a scientist. I have lived in major cities and never knew police precincts to hire out like that. They just have their CSI police officer do it who is already on staff. I think if they have a budget for it and it's a special circumstance a precinct would possibly hire in for the scientist to do the CSI.
If you choose to become a police officer and want to go to college, you would major in Administration of Justice for your Bachelors Degree and then go to a Police Academy. The Bachelors Degree takes 4 years and the Police Academy in Minnesota is 14 - 16 weeks, but if you have the Bachelors Degree, some classroom work may be waived for you. After the Police Academy in your state of Minnesota, there is a five month Field Training Program to then incorporate you into the Minneapolis Police Department.
If you want to become a scientist that is once in a while hired by a police department, you would Major in Chemistry or Biology. There is a Major for Forensic Science, but that Major may limit you for full time work at a Lab or hospital so that you can support yourself while you wait to be hired per diem by a police department. I would recommend either Chemistry or Biology as a major to be more marketable for career jobs.
To make it easier on yourself, first decide if you want to be a Police Officer or a Scientist, then you can look at colleges that have strong programs for Administration of Justice or Science. Also keep in mind tuition, admission requirements and continue obtaining good grades for a strong GPA. Many community colleges offer degrees in both of these majors and you can transfer to a university for your Bachelors Degree. So, there are some decisions you'd have to make before looking at colleges but it will cut down on time and confusion if you choose the career, Police officer or Scientist, before choosing the major or college.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !