Expert: Dick Rogers - 11/21/2008

Question
Hi,
I am a sophmore at high school and it's coming close to me graduating and going to college. I have a few options as a career and one of them happenes to be a svu detective. I know its nothing like the show on tv but thats how i became interested in it. I have some questions:
-How many years do you have to go to college inorder to became a svu detective?
-What are the benefits in becoming a svu detective?
-How much do you make a year?
-What will this job require?
-Is it hard for woman to became a svu detective?
-What skills&etc. does this job involve?


Answer
Kim, you are right in that what you see on tv is not much like what is going on in the real world.  If  you wish to become a detective, there are no short cuts and most departments do not have "special victims units".  There may be specialized units dealing with rape cases or child abuse cases, but things generally fit in categories such as crimes of violence or property crimes.  To get the lowdown on how cases are solved, one of the better shows on tv is Forensic Files.  At least in these episodes, they are using actual cases and it highlights how cases are put together.  Many people are confused about CSI work, etc. but the nuts and bolts of homicide for example are put together, orchestrated and presented to the DA by homicide detectives.  Perhaps I can give you a better idea of real world detectives by suggesting that a homicide detective is like an orchestra leader...He directs each segment of the orchestra in how to play a particular piece...he may not be able to play each part, but he knows how to put the whole thing together.  When a detective responds to the scene of a homicide, he/she decides who and what should be brought to the scene to assist in the investigation.  There are departments with crime scene specialists, but the case remains in the hands of the principle investigators. To be a crime scene specialist (serology, for example), one must have adequate schooling in chemistry and related subjects and a degree in that specialty to be hired by a crime lab.  He/she is usually not a cop.  The homicide detective is always a cop...and it takes many years to be assigned to homicide units.  Hope this helps.