worn if needed (Career Cruising). The typical hours worked when quiet are about 40 hours a week. When there are many investigations happening the hours increase. Crime scene investigators are also on call 24/7 (Career Cruising). The workplace environment is divided between police stations and crime scenes (Career Cruising). The physical activities that go along with being an investigator include investigating crime scenes, doing certain experiments, and work in the lab (Byrd). The susceptibility to injury is dealing with hazardous material on some investigations. Special equipment used by a CSI include cameras, tripods, flashlights, sketch pads, notepads, measuring tapes, rulers, and fingerprinting kits (Career Cruising). This job also include lots of local travel. A major characteristic needed to be good as a crime scene investigator is careful, so the evidence stays safe and clean.
An investigator needs to be analytical in order to process the scene and do a good job. Thinking logically is another important characteristic in order to picture what happened. Being a quick learner will help in knowing what you need to and learn it fast. The personality of a CSI should be friendly because of the working with many other people and having to tolerate and listen to them. To get a job as a crime scene investigator a high school degree is needed. There are many things that communities usually do in order to get students interested in law enforcement (database site). Most employers also require an associate or bachelors degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, crime scene technology, or another major related to these (Career Cruising). Previous work experience as cop or in a lab will normally cause higher pay and be more likely to increase faster and become higher (Career Cruising). The typical length of training for a CSI is about 4 years and includes firearms training and DNA analysis training (Career
Cruising). A crime scene investigator earns about $54,730 a year on average (Career Cruising). The estimated number of jobs in 2012 was 250 for South Dakota (Career Cruising). The estimated amount of growth potential for South Dakota is 12% by the year 2022. The annual average of openings for this job is 8 (Career Cruising). Knowing what type of career a student wants to follow as you grow is great, especially if there is research and know what is expected. This will help with guidance of what classes are required and what the conditions and pay are. It will also help because the learning of good characteristics of the path you want to follow will cause changes to make the job more suitable for the student. Crime scene investigation is an interesting career path because they solve problems, help people, and learn new things.