A crime scene investigator collects fingerprints as evidence.
Popular television shows such as the "CSI" series have sparked interest in new career fields for students planning their careers. While some people can get jobs without any formal education in the field, a two- or four-year degree opens up new doors in crime scene investigation. Within that area, investigators may specialize in, for example, taking crime scene photos or examining insects found on bodies to establish the victim's time of death.
Keiser University
Keiser University has campuses throughout Florida, including Daytona Beach, which teach students become crime scene investigators. Keiser offers an associate of science degree in crime scene technology. The school requires students to take 36 credit hours of coursework in crime scene technology, including evidence photography, crime scene procedures, crime scene safety, and hazardous and unusual crimes. Students also are required to take 26 credit hours in general education courses such as English and writing.
Keiser University
Daytona Beach Campus
1800 Business Park Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-274-5060
keiseruniversity.edu/
Diablo Valley College
Diablo Valley College, located in Pleasant Hill, California, also prepares students for entry level work as crime scene investigators. The basic coursework serves also as the foundation for students taking advanced coursework toward becoming criminal profilers. Students who complete the two-year program receive an associate of science degree, but this two-year college offers certificates of accomplishment and completion to students take criminal justice classes only and earn a "C" grade in each course. Class work includes justice administration, physical evidence and the crime lab, criminal investigation and patrol procedures. Some crime scene investigators begin as police patrolmen and then move into other areas of police work.
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill Campus
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
825-685-1230
dev.dvc.edu/
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg University is a private Christian college in Pennsylvania that offers a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice. Coursework includes collection of evidence, interpretation of evidence and preserving evidence. Students participate in mock crime scene investigations and do internships with law enforcement agencies.
Waynesburg University
51 W. College St.
Waynesburg, PA 15370
724-627-8191
waynesburg.edu/
Kaplan University
Kaplan University offers online programs in crime scene investigation, although it also has brick-and-mortar campuses throughout Iowa, including Cedar Falls. Kaplan offers a certificate in crime scene technology as well as associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice. Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Inc., which is a subsidiary of the Washington Post Co.
Kaplan University
Cedar Falls Campus
7009 Nordic Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
800-987-7734
kaplan.edu/
Tags: crime scene, crime scene, Kaplan University, Cedar Falls, crime scene technology, criminal justice, Daytona Beach
