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Careers: Police/Types of detectives

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Expert: - 7/25/2009


Question
In advance, I want to apologize for the many questions. I will be going to college soon and I want a better understanding of these careers. I know that I want to be a criminal lawyer but I want to be a detective while I attend law school also. I wanted to know the difficulties of wanting to pursue those things. The questions are:

1)What is the difference between a CSI and a PI?
2)What are the duties of a CSI/Homicide Detective
3)What type of investigator works in the crime lab?
4)If you are a CSI are you able to still attend law school?
5)What is the age limit for police officers?
6)In order to be a Homicide Detective to I have to excel in science?
7)What do you have to master in order to become a detective? example: (science to become a forensic detective)


Answer
Hi Kiarra,

Wow nice questions, I like your thinking but it may be hard to be a detective while you go to school to be a lawyer. It can be done, but its very hard.

As for your questions:
1)What is the difference between a CSI and a PI?

CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigator, PI stands for Private Investigator. CSI's work for the police department, PI's are hired by private citizens or companies to do investigative work.

2)What are the duties of a CSI/Homicide Detective

Well to put it in a nutshell, investigate homicides. CSI's do the crime scene processing and evidence gathering, Detectives do the actual case work and try to figure out the Who, what, when, where, why and how of the crime.

3)What type of investigator works in the crime lab?

CSI's, and lab technicians that specialize in various areas like fiber, blood, trace and other Criminal Forensics areas.

4)If you are a CSI are you able to still attend law school?

You can but it will be VERY hard due to scheduling and call outs. CSI's work shifts just like regular street cops.

5)What is the age limit for police officers?

Depends on the state. Florida has no age limit. Its up to the department.

6)In order to be a Homicide Detective to I have to excel in science?

You do not have to excel, but you have to be able to understand the basics of Criminal Forensics, Criminology or Criminalisitics. Science helps, but being able to communicate with people is just as important.

7)What do you have to master in order to become a detective? example: (science to become a forensic detective)

You are sent to the schools you need by your department. There are schools out there just for police officers that are becoming detectives, and investigators. One of the best classes I ever attended was "Injury and Death Investigation". It was a great and very interesting course.

If you have more questions feel free to ask.

Be well..

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I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

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