How do you become a civilian CSI?
I don't think I'm cut out to be a police officer, nor would I want to go through years of being a police officer before I even get the job of a CSI which is what I've wanted all along. So how do you go about becoming a civilian CSI?
Update:I'm talking about a crime scene investigator, the person who collects & documents evidence from a crime. Not someone working in a lab.
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Most civilian CSI employees are retired police officers from other departments. There is little chance that someone right off the streets could ever do that job.
Most lab techs take their training as interns at crime labs.
Depending on what type of stuff you want to do you need experience working in a lab or specific education the fits what you want. For example a firearms examiner needs some knowledge of physics and metallurgy.
All the DNA, chemical analysis and that stuff is done by experienced lab techs who have been taught the proper protocols by the accredited lab itself. Most have preciously worked at medical labs and research facilities. You need no special degree like the TV colleges say.
I have never heard of retired cops becoming lab techs or working in a crime lab much. But what would I know? I worked in the 2nd largest department in the US, helped with protocols when we set up a regional lab and have worked with hundreds of departments since retiring. I am also a Fellow with an international association of forensics.
I'm sure Jay knows better
What you need to do is find your local crime lab. Most now a days are not with a specific department but are regional (also check the county ME office who also often run them).
Arrange a visit and talk with them to find out what they are looking for and to see what type of work you want to do.