8 answers
jack
Student
Dalton, Massachusetts
2
Questions
Updated
889 views
I want to do something in forensics. Where I work in crime scenes and study the reason for death, but I don't want to go to college for more than 8 years what should I do.?
Junior here
Login to comment
8 answers
Rachel Poon
Account Management
5
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Hi Jack, I don't work in crime scenes, and definitely haven't attended college for eight years, so I hope you find this useful from someone who has had a lot of career changes and spent a large part of my young adult years trying to figure that out.
My recommendation is for you to start by make two columns:
- In one column: List the reasons you want to work in crime scenes. What intrigues you? What's cool about it? For every answer you can think of, challenge yourself to go one layer deeper, "but why?".
- In the other column: List the reasons you don't want to go to college for eight years. Do you want to go to college at all? What do the eight years cover? What happens if you did, say, only the Bachelor's? What are the other reasons you don't like the idea of eight years of college?
Next, see how you feel when comparing those columns. Does one column make you feel more excited than the other? Are there jobs that give you the same fulfilment you can begin to explore?
After that, I recommend chatting to someone you know about these columns. It could be your science teacher, a school counselor if you have access to one, or even your doctor next time to go for a check up.
My recommendation is for you to start by make two columns:
- In one column: List the reasons you want to work in crime scenes. What intrigues you? What's cool about it? For every answer you can think of, challenge yourself to go one layer deeper, "but why?".
- In the other column: List the reasons you don't want to go to college for eight years. Do you want to go to college at all? What do the eight years cover? What happens if you did, say, only the Bachelor's? What are the other reasons you don't like the idea of eight years of college?
Next, see how you feel when comparing those columns. Does one column make you feel more excited than the other? Are there jobs that give you the same fulfilment you can begin to explore?
After that, I recommend chatting to someone you know about these columns. It could be your science teacher, a school counselor if you have access to one, or even your doctor next time to go for a check up.
Alfred F. Romeo, CIA, CISA, CFE, MBA
Audit Manager
3
Answers
Vail, Arizona
Updated
Alfred F.’s Answer
My cousin was a forensics expert for the County Prosecutor's office. He joined a campus police force initially to get experience and then migrated to the Prosecutor's office. Law enforcement background might offer similar opportunities.
Thank you, Alfred F. for the advice.
jack
Dana Norvell
Senior One Team Ambassador
7
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Dana’s Answer
Hi Jack,
I am not in forensics as well; However, I hope you find this advice useful. I suggest you start by being clear about which part of forensics interests you most. If your goal is to medically determine why someone died, that usually requires becoming a forensic pathologist, which is a long education path. But if you want to work on crime scenes or support death investigations without spending more than 8 years in school, there are other strong options like crime scene investigation or forensic science. The key is to match the career to the lifestyle and timeline you want. You do not have to give up on forensics — you just need to choose the role that fits your goals realistically
I am not in forensics as well; However, I hope you find this advice useful. I suggest you start by being clear about which part of forensics interests you most. If your goal is to medically determine why someone died, that usually requires becoming a forensic pathologist, which is a long education path. But if you want to work on crime scenes or support death investigations without spending more than 8 years in school, there are other strong options like crime scene investigation or forensic science. The key is to match the career to the lifestyle and timeline you want. You do not have to give up on forensics — you just need to choose the role that fits your goals realistically
Carissa Kilgour
3
Answers
Updated
Carissa’s Answer
Hi Jack,
There are many ways to get involved in crime scene investigations. I do not work in crime scenes but I have family members who have and they did not go to eight years of university. Their experience started as a police officer and as they progressed their career, they took opportunities to learn about evidence collection, suspect interrogations, and incident response. They also took the opportunity to work in units focused on specific categories of crime increasing their expertise in certain areas. As they responded to incidents, gathered evidence, and documented the cases for the DA to evaluate the merits of pursuing the case, they continued to increase their knowledge. Many police departments have their own crime scene investigation units and some have also engaged civilian contractors to help provide those services, so there is a potential option even if you don't want to become an officer. Other options to get involved crime scene investigation is through the DA office - there are roles that do not require advanced degrees (but likely need a bachelors). I hope you can find your path in this space. Having intelligent, passionate, and people with high integrity in these roles is very important. Best of luck!
There are many ways to get involved in crime scene investigations. I do not work in crime scenes but I have family members who have and they did not go to eight years of university. Their experience started as a police officer and as they progressed their career, they took opportunities to learn about evidence collection, suspect interrogations, and incident response. They also took the opportunity to work in units focused on specific categories of crime increasing their expertise in certain areas. As they responded to incidents, gathered evidence, and documented the cases for the DA to evaluate the merits of pursuing the case, they continued to increase their knowledge. Many police departments have their own crime scene investigation units and some have also engaged civilian contractors to help provide those services, so there is a potential option even if you don't want to become an officer. Other options to get involved crime scene investigation is through the DA office - there are roles that do not require advanced degrees (but likely need a bachelors). I hope you can find your path in this space. Having intelligent, passionate, and people with high integrity in these roles is very important. Best of luck!
Mahima Khurana
Support Engagement Lead (Technical Support)
6
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Mahima’s Answer
Hey Jack, I am not in the industry, but I did study Psychology and Forensic Science. One thing to keep in mind is that most roles in crime scene investigations are far from what's portrayed on TV, and each role can come with different entry requirements.
Being a crime scene technician and a forensic scientist are two different roles - one gathers the evidence, while the other usually analyses these. It's important to manage your expectations in what your day to day will involve. These roles are also completely separate to the pathologist's role.
You might want to think about which elements of the investigation draw you in the most, and recognise the emotional and psychological stressors that each role brings. Being at the scene can be very jarring, while being in the lab can help you stay slightly more removed. There's no escaping the reality as a pathologist.
Going back to your college query though, the pathologist will require a lot more education. The crime scene tech will usually be the 'shortest' route, typically requiring a single dedicated degree to qualify.
Being a crime scene technician and a forensic scientist are two different roles - one gathers the evidence, while the other usually analyses these. It's important to manage your expectations in what your day to day will involve. These roles are also completely separate to the pathologist's role.
You might want to think about which elements of the investigation draw you in the most, and recognise the emotional and psychological stressors that each role brings. Being at the scene can be very jarring, while being in the lab can help you stay slightly more removed. There's no escaping the reality as a pathologist.
Going back to your college query though, the pathologist will require a lot more education. The crime scene tech will usually be the 'shortest' route, typically requiring a single dedicated degree to qualify.
Shelly Lin
Forensic Consultant
79
Answers
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Shelly’s Answer
To my knowledge, and recognizing that specific requirements can vary by jurisdiction and employer, if your interest is in working around death investigations and understanding how and why someone died, there are several career paths to consider. The professional who ultimately determines the medical cause and manner of death is typically a forensic pathologist, a role that generally requires medical school and specialty training and therefore exceeds 8 years of education. However, careers such as crime scene investigator (CSI), forensic technician, or medicolegal death investigator (MDI) often provide direct involvement in scene response, evidence collection, and death investigations with a shorter educational pathway, commonly a bachelor's degree plus specialized training. Before committing to a career path, I would encourage you to research the qualifications and day-to-day responsibilities of these roles in your area, as job duties and requirements can differ significantly between agencies and jurisdictions.
Justin Broyles
Consultant
12
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Justin’s Answer
Hey Jack!
Like the others, I sadly do not have that type of experience either. But I believe when I was going through college, a few of my friends pursued a degree in criminology. I don't think that this type of degree takes the amount of time as others and I believe you can still work with CSI teams if I remember correctly. I'd suggest checking out a criminology degree.
Like the others, I sadly do not have that type of experience either. But I believe when I was going through college, a few of my friends pursued a degree in criminology. I don't think that this type of degree takes the amount of time as others and I believe you can still work with CSI teams if I remember correctly. I'd suggest checking out a criminology degree.
Jayashree Viswanathan, CSM, CSPO
IT
2
Answers
Davenport, Iowa
Updated
Jayashree’s Answer
Criminal investigators work to solve crimes by gathering evidence and uncovering facts and interview witnesses, collaborate with medical examiners, and so on.
These investigators can be employed by local police departments or large agencies like the FBI. Their tasks often include:
-Analyzing crime scenes
- Writing case reports
- Using data and solve crimes
Some organizations allow you to become a criminal investigator with just a high school diploma or GED. However, many prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, especially for federal positions. Degrees in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science are often most relevant.
These investigators can be employed by local police departments or large agencies like the FBI. Their tasks often include:
-Analyzing crime scenes
- Writing case reports
- Using data and solve crimes
Some organizations allow you to become a criminal investigator with just a high school diploma or GED. However, many prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, especially for federal positions. Degrees in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science are often most relevant.