How You can be a Forensic Investigator?

By,
Dr. Bhoopesh Kumar Sharma

One of the first person to visit the scene of a crime is a crime scene investigator, and the evidence he collects helps determine the course of the investigation. Some times, he might derail or delay the investigation if he disturbs the crime scene or misses a crucial clue. Therefore, investigators in the crime scene must be thorough, methodical, and stay calm under pressure. He must possess an array of certain qualities. Few of these are mentioned below.

Investigators of the crime scene must remain impartial, concentrated and not involve themselves emotionally, or allow their judgement to be clouded or affected.

Despite the severity of the crimes they investigate, they have to methodically approach each case, concentrating on unraveling the sequence of events. This can trigger emotional and physical stress that can take a significant toll before they learn to cope with each day's trauma.

What Skills You Need to Become an Investigator?

How to be a forensic investigator?

1. Analytical & Observatory Skills: Investigators of the crime scene, or CSIs, have critical specialist expertise. They are able to examine a crime scene by observation, formulate hypothesis about how the different pieces of evidence fit together, and follow up on key details. For this, you need a strong scientific background and working knowledge of the various evidence-gathering techniques and tools.

2. Good Communication Skills: You've got to have great communication skills. You often lead a team of laboratory technicians and other law enforcement officers when investigating. Normally, the CSI works to cordon off the crime scene to prevent destroying evidence. They are also reviewing the evidence with other police efforts to collect evidence and testimony from witnesses. CSIs may sometimes act as expert witnesses in a court case to map out the crime scene. Writing skills are also important. Investigators take notes and file detailed case reports used in court cases by prosecutors.

3. Be Poise: Poise under pressure is a vital attribute for investigators in the crime scene. CSIs investigate regularly horrific crime scenes involving brutal murders and lots of blood. Your one simple mistake under pressure can ruin the crime scene completely. Most importantly, when working around a horrific scene, you need to stay calm and focused on gathering evidence. In some larger communities or high-profile situations, you may need to remain prepared with local media and residents.

4. Problem-Solving Skills: Investigators are usually natural problem solvers. They have been trained to do so by different brain storming exercises and reasoning technologies. To compile evidence and testimony, they combine science aptitude, analytical skills and critical thinking. Essentially, CSIs are trying to develop stories based on their interpretation of facts and circumstantial case theories. It helps to determine the motive and the possible reason the crime occurred while interacting with other police and the district attorney. In court, lawyers need to tell stories to persuade judges and juries to see the evidence.

5.  Be Ready Anytime: The investigator must be flexible in working as they never know where their work will take them. They must be sufficiently adaptable to function in the most complex and severe environments. However, they sometimes have to work long hours, particularly when investigating mass casualty scenes or when trying to gather evidence before it is polluted by imminent rain, for example, or by the public, especially in places such as office buildings or other public spaces that need to be reopened quickly.

6. Be Honest & Ethical: Investigators must be honest, ethical and respectful of the law. If an investigator is caught lying or using deceptive research tactics, he will lose credibility and probably his work. This is a concern if the case goes to court and the defendant may be kept from being convicted.

7. Technical Knowledge: Throughout their investigations, investigators often use technology for assist. Based on the type of inquiry, the equipment varies and the company or organization for which the investigator operates. For examine evidence such as fingerprints, it may include surveillance equipment and software.

8. Legal Knowledge: Investigators need to know the laws of the case and the law applicable as per the country specific for that particular crime. For example, an investigator can find the organization is doing something that is ethically questionable, but not illegal, while looking into a business. Therefore, they need to know what they are legally permitted to do during their study.