Crime Scene Investigator

Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) are forensic scientists who attend crime scenes to collect evidence and investigate the crime. They preserve the scene, take sketches and photographs, identify possible witnesses, and investigate all aspects of the environment (eg, footprints, fingerprints, blood and bodily fluids, weapons, animals, vehicles, furniture, equipment, materials, foreign objects and anomalies).

As a Crime Scene Investigator you could be roping off an area of bushland for digging, sketching the scene of a murder that occurred in a public park, logging and bagging bullet casings, photographing the location of an alleged murder weapon, dusting the scene of a robbery for fingerprints, examining broken furniture and household objects in a domestic residence, writing a report on your findings, entering evidence data into a database, or appearing in court as an expert witness.

To succeed in this occupation you will need to be a strong critical thinker and problem solver with an unwavering commitment to data accuracy and integrity.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $85,800
Skill level Unknown

How do I become a crime scene investigator?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced

Bachelor of Science (Forensic Science)
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $22,032
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Scientist Research Scientist
Forensic Science Technician
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Scientist Research Scientist Forensic Science Technician + 1 more

Master of Forensic Science
On Campus, Online
18 - 24 months
$0 - $61,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator
Forensic Chemist Forensic Engineer Forensic Psychologist
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Chemist Forensic Engineer Forensic Psychologist + 3 more

Bachelor of Forensic Science
On Campus
3 years
$27,942 - $78,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Chemist Forensic Toxicologist Research Scientist
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Analyst Forensic Science Technician
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Chemist Forensic Toxicologist Research Scientist Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Analyst Forensic Science Technician + 3 more

Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science
On Campus, Online
12 months
$0 - $8,944
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator
Forensic Analyst DNA Analyst Forensic Science Technician
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Analyst DNA Analyst Forensic Science Technician + 3 more

Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science
On Campus, Online
6 months
$0 - $4,472
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Analyst Forensic Toxicologist
Forensic Chemist Forensic Psychologist Forensic Science Technician
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Crime Scene Investigator Forensic Analyst Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Chemist Forensic Psychologist Forensic Science Technician + 3 more

Bachelor of Forensic Science (Honours)
On Campus
12 months
$8,948 - $9,314
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator DNA Analyst
Forensic Entomologist Forensic Science Technician Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Analyst
+ 4 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Forensic Scientist Crime Scene Investigator DNA Analyst Forensic Entomologist Forensic Science Technician Forensic Toxicologist Forensic Analyst + 4 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Common questions

How much do Crime Scene Investigators earn?

The average weekly salary for a Crime Scene Investigator in Australia is approximately $1,650. Increase your earning capacity by joining a professional organisation such as the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) and pursuing a Master’s degree in a specialist field: DNA analysis, toxicology, criminology, forensic chemistry, forensic investigations, or similar.

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What are the job opportunities for Crime Scene Investigators?

There are no clear employment figures for Crime Scene Investigators working in Australia right now. They are employed by government health departments and police forces, though most Crime Scene Investigators aspire to work for the AFP Forensic Services Division in Canberra.

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How do I become a Crime Scene Investigator?

You can launch your career as a Crime Scene Investigator in Australia with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Forensic Science) or Bachelor of Science (Medical, Forensic and Analytical Chemistry) but you will have a wider range of career opportunities with supporting qualifications or a Master’s degree. The Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Criminology, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, and Master of Forensic Science (Professional Practice and Research) are all excellent choices.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

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