Forensic Investigator Overview
Required Education and Training To Become a Forensic Investigator
Best Schools to become a Forensic Investigator in U.S. 2024
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
In-State Tuition:$6,930
Out-of-State Tuition:$14,880
Admission Rate:51%
Graduation Rate:54%
Total Enrollment:13,921
Southern New Hampshire University
In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091
University of Phoenix-Arizona
In-State Tuition:$9,552
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,552
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:18%
Total Enrollment:88,891
Liberty University
In-State Tuition:$15,467
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,467
Admission Rate:99%
Graduation Rate:66%
Total Enrollment:96,709
Rio Salado College
In-State Tuition:$2,040
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,824
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:10%
Total Enrollment:17,078
Eastern Gateway Community College
In-State Tuition:$4,115
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,727
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:30,364
Forensic Investigator Job Description:
- Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations.
- Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation.
- May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques.
- May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Forensic Investigator
Job Duties for Forensic Investigators
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Technologies and Skills Used by Forensic Investigators
Data base user interface and query software
- Microsoft Access
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Graphics software
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Basic Skills
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
- Reading work related information
People and Technology Systems
- Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it