School project ^^

- What are the major duties and responsibilities?

As a crime scene investigator (or forensic specialist - the term change depending where you are) my main responsibility was to respond to calls for service and aid investigations. From smaller investigations like vandalism or theft, to major investigations, like homicides. My role was to help locate and analyze the evidence to see what information I could provide to investigators to aid their investigation. Ultimately, a crime scene investigator is an investigative support role.

- What is the outlook for employment in this career?

That really depends where in the world you, as there is some variation in the opportunities available. Where I am (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) most crime scene investigators are also police officers. In a City of about 1.2 million people, and a little over 2000 police officers, there are about 24 spots for such investigators. However, there are also a few civilian positions doing similar jobs, and in the future I believe there will be many more civilian positions. Many police organizations are seeing the value of having a mix of civilian and police investigators in such a role. I suspect that will be the future in policing.

That being said, there are also other opportunities with private organizations who offer forensic services, or work in labs which offer support for investigators. In the future, I believe there will be a lot of opportunities to work in a forensic field.

- What is the level of education required?

Again, that all depends where you are what you specifically want to do. As a police officer, all the training and education you need is commonly offered by the service you work for. However, there is a growing need for additional College/University diplomas or degrees, and I suspect that will continue to increase until it is eventually a requirement. But at this time, in Canada - for police officers - there is no additional education requirements before you may have the opportunity.

- What do you like most about your career?

I also loved being a part of the investigation and having the opportunity to find the evidence. It is the ultimate challenge to process a scene or piece of evidence and feel as though you found everything that could be found and learned as much from it as possible. It's a great feeling when you have a moment like that!

- What do you like least about your career?

Court! Testifying in court is one my least favourite parts of the job! That being said, it is essential and if you do the job well, it is relatively easy to do.

- What special skills are required for this career?

There are many skills that can help, and everyone has their own skills. I think it's limiting to suggest there are only a few skills you need, so I don't wish to only name a few. It's all about learning how the skills you have can work to help you in the career, and how to develop the skills you may need to do the job well. But that's a different path for everyone.

- Are there any special physical demands?

I wouldn't say there are any special demands. Physically and mentally the job can be exhausting. At times you have to work long hours, in less than desirable conditions, dealing with things that no one should have to see. But being aware of your own limits and respecting them, is perhaps the only special demand. its important to take care of yourself, to ensure you have what it takes to do the job well, consistently.

- What is the opportunity for advancement in this field?

Again, that depends where you are. There are many places where you may have the opportunity to advance in rank, or advance in your specialization and training. For some, it is a career where the only advancement that is desired is the learning that is required to stay aware of all the developing trends and technologies in the field.

- How many other people do you work with?

When I was on a shift, I usually had 5 or 6 other people to work with. That being said, given the amount of work, I often went to calls on my own and worked alone on shift at the calls. When there was a major call, or call that required more, I would usually have 1 or two other people working with me. But a key thing to remember, is that the role is investigative support, so there are always other investigators or others around who can help if you need it.

That will depend where you are in the world, but in most places it is similar from what I have seen and learned.

- Are there any special materials, equipment, tools, machinery, etc., that you have to know how to use in this career?

There are a lot of real interesting technologies and equipment that can be used in this filed, and what you have will depend on where you work and the resources. But some of the most amazing things, is learning how the everyday stuff can be used in new ways, to help find evidence. Example: canned air, you know the stuff people use to dust or clear keyboards. Soon, I'll have a video posted on the site to show how that can be used for an interesting forensic technique.

There are far too many tools and equipment to list, but what is key in this career is not relying on the technology to do the job. Ensuring you know the science behind it, so the technology is only a tool, and you can survive without it, if you have to.

- What personal qualities does a person need for this career?

This is similar to the skills question, as it is narrow minded (in my opinion) to think that only one type of person can do this job. I've worked with many different types of people, all with their own unique qualities and abilities, and those who were successful were the ones who were able to learn how to use what they had to do the job well. I think the only key, and again this is my opinion, is the need for the motivation to do the job to be connected with the desire to help others, and not to help yourself. I believe that is a real key for anyone I would want to work with in a career like this.

- How many hours do you usually work?

That can vary. Generally speaking the schedule was based on a 4 hour work week, in a shift work type of fashion. So the schedule always changed, but overall it was generally about 40 hours a week. However, in this career specifically, is where I worked the most overtime. It was not uncommon to work 16-18-20+ hour shifts. Over a one year period the most overtime I have ever worked was just over 700 hours overtime in a year. There are times when it's just the 40 hour week, but at others, you're working far more than you're doing anything else. That's part of the demanding aspect of the career.

- If you choose your career field again at this point, would you choose this career?

Yes, absolutely. It was not easy to attain, and even harder once I got there. But I loved every moment of it, and it is what led me to where I am today. For anyone who is interested, I think it can be the best job in the world!

Well, I hope that answers all your questions, and alway here if you need any additional information. Take care of you, thank you for asking the questions, and have a great day.

Scott