2 answers
Thandeka
Student
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
1
Question
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What degree is better to do if I want to become a crime scene investigator, Criminology or Forensic Science?
Iam in my last year of high school and I would love to study this field, I would just like to know which degree is best to study and if it's hard, what to expect and how long I'll have to study. Work paths also after university
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2 answers
Kent Falkner
20
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Kent’s Answer
To become a crime scene investigator (CSI), both Criminology and Forensic Science are relevant, but they lead to slightly different career strengths. Here’s a comparison to help you decide:
Best Route:
Major in Forensic Science with electives or a minor in Criminology or Criminal Justice to get both the lab skills and the understanding of the criminal justice system.
Best Choice for a CSI: Forensic Science • Why? It’s more technical and directly focused on collecting and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes. • Covers: Biology, chemistry, trace evidence, DNA, ballistics, toxicology, lab techniques. • Career fit: Perfect if you want to be the person collecting, analyzing, and interpreting evidence at the scene or in a lab.
Criminology • Why? Focuses on the why of crime—criminal behavior, justice systems, and social factors. • Covers: Sociology, psychology, criminal justice theory, law. • Career fit: Better suited for roles in policy, criminal profiling, law enforcement strategy, or corrections—not hands-on evidence collection.
Best Route:
Major in Forensic Science with electives or a minor in Criminology or Criminal Justice to get both the lab skills and the understanding of the criminal justice system.
Kent recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Thandeka
Michelle M.
Actress
2520
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Thandeka !
I am not sure how it is in South Africa, but in the United States, police officers do crime scene investigation as part of their position in law enforcement. If this is the same in your country, you can consider becoming a Law Enforcement Officer or Police. Either major of Criminology or Forensic Science would be good, but you will have to know which career you want to go into. There are some various careers that use forensics as PART OF the job. The South African Police Service also includes labs, so you can collect and examine evidence in a lab. Contact your local South African Police Service and ask them if their police do the CSI or if they hire freelance CSI professionals. There are many types of forensic related positions in your country, such as forensic pathology which do not include collecting and piecing together crime. There's also Digital Forensics for cyber crime.
Your first step is to be sure what career you want in order to figure out which Major to take. Once you have made that choice, you can then read what those programs are like at The University of KwaZulu-Natal because both Criminology and Forensic Science are offered there as separate majors. The other Universities offer only Criminology or only Forensic Science. If you like biology, chemistry and physics and love microscopy, you will probably find this an enjoyable major because it's mostly science. The Criminology path would most likely have one or two courses in forensics, but you must read college website programs to discover the details, see what courses are included and then determine if you would find it difficult or easy since you've asked. But most likely you could do CSI as a police officer as one of your on the job duties.
If you want CSI as part of your job duties, you can explore the careers of Forensic Technician, Biological Technician or Police and Detective. Once you decide upon a career, you can then determine which Major at University will be best for that career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I am not sure how it is in South Africa, but in the United States, police officers do crime scene investigation as part of their position in law enforcement. If this is the same in your country, you can consider becoming a Law Enforcement Officer or Police. Either major of Criminology or Forensic Science would be good, but you will have to know which career you want to go into. There are some various careers that use forensics as PART OF the job. The South African Police Service also includes labs, so you can collect and examine evidence in a lab. Contact your local South African Police Service and ask them if their police do the CSI or if they hire freelance CSI professionals. There are many types of forensic related positions in your country, such as forensic pathology which do not include collecting and piecing together crime. There's also Digital Forensics for cyber crime.
Your first step is to be sure what career you want in order to figure out which Major to take. Once you have made that choice, you can then read what those programs are like at The University of KwaZulu-Natal because both Criminology and Forensic Science are offered there as separate majors. The other Universities offer only Criminology or only Forensic Science. If you like biology, chemistry and physics and love microscopy, you will probably find this an enjoyable major because it's mostly science. The Criminology path would most likely have one or two courses in forensics, but you must read college website programs to discover the details, see what courses are included and then determine if you would find it difficult or easy since you've asked. But most likely you could do CSI as a police officer as one of your on the job duties.
If you want CSI as part of your job duties, you can explore the careers of Forensic Technician, Biological Technician or Police and Detective. Once you decide upon a career, you can then determine which Major at University will be best for that career.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you so much for the advice.
Thandeka
You are very welcome, Thandeka !
Michelle M.