Have you ever wondered how crimes are really solved? TV and film may have helped popularize crime scene investigation, but these crime dramas condense and oversimplify what is actually a very complex field. A career in crime scene investigation blends science, curiosity, and critical thinking. Real-life investigations depend on these trained professionals to properly handle and preserve evidence, document even the smallest details, and help build a case from the ground up. Villa’s new crime scene investigation degree program provides students with the technology, tools, and training necessary to break into this field and start making an impact from day one.
What Do Crime Scene Investigators Do?
Crime scene investigators—also called evidence technicians, forensic investigators, scenes of crime officers (SOCOs), or crime scene analysts—are responsible for identifying, documenting, and preserving physical and biological evidence. Their work is the foundation of a case.
Without the evidence CSI professionals collect and protect, building a reliable case that has a chance of reaching a conclusion is extremely difficult. Unlike witness statements, which can be incomplete or unreliable, physical evidence offers an objective view of the events that occurred. The work CSIs complete is used to reconstruct event timelines, support investigative leads, and help bring justice to victims. It’s those critical evidence findings that move an investigation forward and provide the necessary facts to secure a successful prosecution.
Key duties CSIs perform include:
- Securing and preserving crime scenes to prevent evidence contamination or tampering
- Conducting thorough visual scans of a scene to locate evidence
- Taking precise measurements and creating detailed sketches or diagrams of the scene
- Photographing the scene and individual evidence items from multiple angles
- Packaging and labeling evidence to establish a chain of custody
- Collecting trace materials like hair, fibers, fingerprints, or blood
- Attending, documenting, and photographing autopsies
- Collaborating with law enforcement, forensic specialists, and legal professionals
- Providing expert testimony in court based on scene observations and collected evidence
What Crime Scene Investigation Isn’t
If you’ve watched any crime drama, you’ve probably watched scenes where CSIs collect evidence and, within a few minutes or hours, get results back that help progress or solve a case. The reality looks quite different.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about crime scene investigation,” explains Professor Mary Ann “Hoby” Hobar, the lead faculty behind Villa’s CSI program. “People often believe that investigators work in the lab and that DNA results are instant. They also assume CSIs only work on homicides, that one person handles every aspect of the crime scene, and that the job is fast-paced and exciting every day. In reality, the work is much more specialized, collaborative, and detail-oriented than what you see on TV.”
While CSI programs like Villa’s prepare students to work on all different types of crime scenes and handle a variety of evidence, many professionals eventually choose to specialize.
“Those working in the field are often looking to focus on one specific area,” she said. “Large agencies offer many options like homicide, robbery, arson, or vehicular accidents, and they usually provide the required training for members interested in specific kinds of investigations.”
Students considering a career in CSI should be realistic about what to expect. Attention to detail, the ability to stay calm under pressure, strong communication skills, and critical thinking are all essential, according to Professor Hobar. Investigators must also be adaptable, work well both independently and on a team, and be emotionally prepared to handle the realities of crime scenes.
How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator
Becoming a crime scene investigator starts with having the right mindset at the start of a degree program. That means understanding the realities of the field and being ready to accept them. CSI might not be the best choice for those who expect it to have high-paced drama every single day. If you have the patience, attention to detail, and commitment to ethically finding the truth, you can have a rewarding career after college.
Students also need to develop technical skills while honing soft skills. These key abilities include:
Technical Skills
- Proper evidence collection and preservation techniques
- Crime scene photography and sketching
- Fingerprint, trace, and biological evidence recovery
- Scene documentation and chain of custody procedures
- Understanding of forensic technologies and tools
Soft Skills
- Attention to detail and observational awareness
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Emotional resilience and mental preparedness
- Verbal and written communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
Villa’s CSI program gives students a hands-on advantage. Our smaller classes offer more opportunities for one-on-one instruction. Plus, we’ve created five crime scene classrooms for students to practice and problem-solve in real time.
Most crime scene investigation education requirements include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant program, meaning Villa’s program sets up future CSIs for success. Villa also offers an associate degree in crime scene investigation, which can be completed on its own or paired with a four-year degree.
“There are job opportunities for students after graduation. In New York, most agencies require that you serve as a law enforcement officer first and then progress into investigations. However, many southern states do not have this requirement, and students can enter the workforce as a CSI if they possess the training, which is the purpose of our program,” explains Professor Hobar.
Earn Your CSI Degree at Villa Maria College
If you’re drawn to CSI, Villa’s program is a great place to grow your passion. Built by faculty with real-world experience in law enforcement and crime scene investigation, the program is designed to reflect the realities of the field and prepare students for meaningful careers.
Reach out today to learn more about our CSI and criminal justice programs!
