Crime scene analysts are just one part of a criminal investigations team.
A crime scene analyst works with officers, detectives, police laboratory technicians and more in the wake of a crime. These individuals locate and preserve evidence and analyze a crime scene from a forensic and psychological perspective, attempting to understand the human behavior that led to a crime. The level of education required of a crime scene analyst varies depending upon the specific position.
Minimum Schooling
Crime scene analyst positions require at least a high school degree or equivalent. Some positions require a minimum of an associate degree or 60 credit hours of college coursework in fields such as criminology, forensic science and physical science. Jobs available to those with minimal education in the field require a good deal of experience in addition to schooling. The Dallas Police Department requires either five years experience in crime scene investigation involving evidence collection and preservation, witness interviewing and crime scene documentation, or five years experience as a sworn officer of the law, in addition to an associate degree or 60 credit hours.
Advanced Schooling
Some positions in the field maintain stricter education requirements. These positions require a bachelor's degree in a field such as criminology or physical science, or a master's degree in a related field. Some positions requiring a high school diploma or associate degree and experience allow applicants to substitute an advanced degree for a certain number of years of experience. Florida State University criminology professor Dale Nute recommends future crime scene analysts double major in criminal justice and psychology and gain experience as a crime scene investigator. Education required for analysts often hinges on the level of the position.
Schooling for Certification
The International Association for Identification offers various types of forensic certification, including Certified Crime Scene Analyst and Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst. The former certification requires three years' experience in crime scene related activities and the completion of a 96-hour course in crime scene analysis with the Crime Scene Certification Board. The latter certification requires a minimum of six years crime scene experience, a 144-hour course in crime scene analysis with the Crime Scene Certification Board and senior status accrued though court testimony experience, teaching, writing or continuing education instruction. Some states, including Nevada, require analysts to achieve such certification with a year of achieving a position on the force.
Additional Requirements
Crime scene analyst positions require possession of a valid driver's license, the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, the ability to lift heavy objects, stand for long hours and work in confined spaces and basic physical requirements, such as adequate vision and hearing, in keeping with police standards. As with all police employees, analysts must undergo a criminal background check and should be drug free. In Florida, analysts must be non-smokers.
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