Scenes of crime officer

You could do a degree accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences . You could then join a scenes of crime training programme.

Subjects include:

• forensic science
• applied science
• criminology
• chemistry
• biology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

If you're already working in the police service in a support role, you might be able to apply for training to become a Tier 1 crime scene investigator (CSI).

Your employer will organise training through the College of Policing . The training covers investigative methods for volume and priority crime, such as vehicle-related offences, burglary and street robbery.

You can apply directly to a police force to join as a trainee scenes of crime officer.

Each force sets its own entry requirements but you might need one or more of the following:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
• a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications
• experience of working in the police service
• a willingness to work long and unsocial hours

Initial training can take between 6 and 12 months.

Career Tips

Qualifications or experience in photography can also be useful and may be essential for some jobs.

You'll be required to attend scenes which may be upsetting, though training and support will be given to help with this.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences for professional development and advice.

As a scenes of crime officer, you could:

• attend crime scenes and other major incidents
• preserve and protect the investigation area
• record scenes and potential evidence using photography and video
• gather fingerprints, hairs, fibres and other materials
• find, record and recover evidence like blood and DNA samples
• keep written records and update information systems with evidence details
• produce crime scene reports and give evidence in court

You could work on the streets, in a court, at a mortuary or at a police station.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, outdoors some of the time, dirty and cramped.

You may need to wear protective clothing.