Public Safety

How to become a Crime Scene Technician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–2 years

Typical pay

$48k–$70k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   2–4 years

   Get a science or forensic degree

   Chemistry or biology carries more weight than a general criminal justice degree.

2. 2

   6–12 months

   Learn evidence handling and photography

   Documentation and chain of custody are what a defence lawyer attacks.

3. 3

   6–18 months

   Apply to a police agency or crime lab

   Competitive, with a thorough background investigation and polygraph in many agencies.

4. 4

   Certify with IAI

   Crime Scene Certification levels are the recognised professional ladder.

   ◆ IAI Certified Crime Scene Investigator

5. ✓

   Destination

   Crime Scene Technician

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