Another question about CSI?

Question

I'd like to become a CSI. But I was detered by an answer recieved on this site. I'd like to be the one collecting evidence at the scene AND analyzing it in a lab AND questioning suspects and leads. Is a CSI responsible for those things? Please tell me how it works?? And can a CSI be armed if desired???

Answer 1

CSI or Crime Scene Investigation is done by detectives, they collect the evidence, and take all of the pictures. some larger police departments will have specialized groups to collect evidence. The detectives question suspects and witnesses and all of the evidence that is analyzed is done in a lab, not necessarily one that is run by the local police department.
The detectives are also sworn police officers and they do carry guns.
What you are seeing on TV is over dramatized with very little reality to real world investigations.

Each of the things that you have listed are separate jobs, each with different requirements and training.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as CSI Detectives.

It is all Hollywood make believe.

Real Police Detectives work cases. In real life "CSI" or Crime Scene Techs are non-sworn persons who work only at the discretion of the case Detective and take photos and collect and package evidence and finger prints.

If you want to work Forensics, you will need to get a job in a police lab, there you spend all day analyzing the evidence collected by and submitted by the Crime Scene Technicians.

Neither of the later ever investigate the crime, interview witnesses or suspects, carry guns , have arrest powers or anything like the TV show.

If you want to do that, go get a job as a street cop, hump calls for 5 or 10 years and then get made Detective and work your way to Sex Crimes or Homicide.

If you want to work as a Forensic Pathologist, a Medical Examiner, that is a Doctorate Degree that would be harder to get then being a regular Medical Doctor. There you do autopsies and try to figure out not what killed them.. but eliminate what did not kill them. That job also has no contact with witnesses, suspects and has no arrest powers.

Just trying to set you straight. The TV show has caused so many, especially young people, to get a false sense of what police work is. They think they go to school and get a degree and suddenly they are working in major case squads. Ain't happening.

Answer 3

You answers will vary from one department to the next. For example, under normal circumstances, a car is dispatched to a crime scene. Many times, the officer(s) responding may not know the extent of the damage.
Once they asess the situation, detectives are called along with a coroners investigator and a crime scene analyst. The analyst, or criminalist, will collect evidence, they will label the evidence and they will create the trail of evidence so that the evicence can always be accounted for.
The evidence is analyzed as soon as possible. Now, keep in mind that on a TV show like CSI, everything has to be done in a hour. In real life, it could take weeks. In real life, computers don't have programs to do what they do on TV.
Normally, the analyst will process the evidence and the detectives will question the suspect(s). If additional information on evidence is needed, the analyst can be called in to assist.
Many times, the analyst will be testifying in court. That way each and every step is documented. Each analyst is qualified in their field. Nothing is left to speculation.. it has to be evidence that is admissable in court that will show the truth.
Are they armed? Hard to say, but some are and some are not. Those who are have to go through the regular firearms training like every other officer in that department. Do they have powers of arrest? depends on the department.
good luck with your career... if you make it, you will love it.

Answer 4

The answer to the question about doing it all is no.

The people who do lab work are highly specialized individuals, typically with biology or chemistry degrees and substantial on-the-job training.

In smaller jurisdictions, crime scene processing is an "add-on" duty of detectives or road officers. In such jurisdiction, the person who processes crime scenes might also be the person who questions the suspect. However, these are two entirely separate responsibilities. There just happen to be some officers trained to do both jobs properly.

In larger jurisdictions, crime scene processing is an entirely separate department with no further connection to the criminal investigation.

Rather or not a csi is armed would be a matter decided by each department. Generally speaking though, there is no need for a crime scene technician to be armed as there are typically armed officers securing the perimeter of the crime scene.

Answer 5

A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR (CSI)
INVESTIGATES A CRIME SCENE

A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR INVESTIGATES CRIME

A DETECTIVE DOES DETECTIVE WORK.

YOU WANT TO COLLECT EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE AND THAT CAN BE DONE BY A POLICEMAN WHO ARRIVED AND SECURED THE SCENE

YOU WANT TO ANALISE THE ITEMS FOUND--DONE BY A FORENSIC EXPERT.

QUESTIONING SUSPECTS AND LEADS IS DONE BY ALL OF THE ABOVE.

IN TODAY'S WORLD WHAT WAS ONCE DONE BY A DETECTIVE ALL THE ABOVE, NOW IS DONE BY A SPECIALIST IN THE FIELD. WHY? A THING CALLED EXPERT TESTIMONY.

IT IS HARD WITHOUT A DEGREE OR TIME IN THE FIELD TO BECOME AN EXPERT. WHEN CROSS EXAMINED IN THE OLD DAYS. IF YOU HAD TIME IN GRADE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SAY 5-10 YEARS YOU WERE A CREDIBLE PERSON OR AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD.

TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPLAINING THE RAMIFICATIONS SAY A PISTOL, THE BULLET AND LAND GROOVES. YOU WOULD BE IN BALLISTICS, BODIES AND DEATH, PATHOLOGIST, FINGERPRINTS, TECHNICIAN, CHEMICAL CAUSE OF DEATH, FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST.

PICK A FIELD OF CHOICE WITHIN THESE WISHES YOU WANT TO DO AND GO FOR IT.

MOST DEPARTMENT HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THE ON PERON KNOWS IT ALL.EVEN THE COUNTIES AND CITIES SENT MATERIAL OFF TO BE ANALYZED BY THE STATE OR FBI. COUNTERFEIT MONEY, WRITTEN DOCUMENTS. CHARED DOCUMENTS ETC.

GO TO YOUR STATE SITE FOR JOBS AND SEE A LISTING OF WHAT THEY OFFER A JOB DESCRIPTION WILL BE SHOWN AS WELL AS WHAT IS NEEDED FOR EDUCATION. GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

Yes to all of the Above but realize this CSI investigators all have a certain job and you listed about 5-6 different peoples jobs.

Answer 7

Yes that is a CSI 's job !!! Except their is more to it !!! Their is certain jobs !!!! If you e-mail me at [e-mail] I can give you a list !! For example: a Criminalist (What I want to be) Collects & examines physical evidence found at a crime scene : fibers, hair,fingerprints, residues, soil, weapons,body fluids, glass, and paint. You must have a Forensic Chemistry Degree !!!

Answer 8

all of those depend on where you are employed. Different locals have their own rules.
It sounds like you've been watching too much TV.
Detectives usually do the questioning CSI processes evidence.

Answer 9

CSI:Chicago could be surprising(because of the fact I stay in IL!) Lead roles could desire to visit: Tom Berenger James Gandolfini Reiko Aylesworth Jennifer Garner I on no account cared for long island even nonetheless i rather like Gary Senese. Miami is my well-liked.

Answer 10

last part..armed if he is a law enforcement officer