Expert: Chris Wagoner - 2/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: Commander Wagoner, I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my question.  I chose to change my career about 2 years ago. Previously, I was a licensed cosmetologist for 25+ years.  After several career assessment test it seemed crime scene investigation was right up my alley.  I guess it must be the hair, skin, blood, and assessment & backward thinking with hair color and attention to detail which attracted that career field. I was a degree seeking student at first and then learned about the certificate program available.  I thought if I get a certificate I could get back to work and earn my A.S. degree in Criminal Justice while working.  So, in the past 2 years I have completed those courses and have become certified as a crime scene investigator.  I enjoyed all of the classes and found them to be very interesting.  It was not difficult to do well on my certification test. My question is....Am I looking in the wrong places for employment?  I have searched websites, and there seems to be very few openings not requiring previous experience or a specialized B.A. degree.  I am registered with I.A.I. and plan to attend their seminars for accident reconstruction, blood spatter interpretation, etc.  Will some of those continuing education courses assist me during the interview process as a good candidate.

ANSWER: Good Morning Denise,

Your continuing education classes will help you in the process of getting a job, as it not only shows your drive but keeps you up to date on the current technology and techniques. Where are you looking for positions in Crime Scene Investigation? Many agencies used only sworn officers for these positions. Your best bet is to look at Crime Labs in the larger departments and see if the are attached to or part of the crime scene investigation unit.

Crime Scene investigation is a wide open, huge field. But jobs are hard to find unless you know where to look. Are you wiling to move if you find a job that requires re-location? If your open to a Federal Job using your skills, go here: http://www.usajobs.gov/ and set up e-mail alerts with words like Crime Scene and Investigator and they will e-mail you (I get them daily) when jobs that match your criteria are opened.

Also You may want to keep checking the websites of the agencies in your area if they have civilian crime scene techs, they do not always make an announcement other than to post it somewhere on the websites and leave it up to those to find it.

Hope this helps, keep looking and trying..


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Commander Wagoner, I live in the Largo, FL area.  Anything in a neighboring or near neighboring county would be great. Could you direct me to what department I would need to call or get in contact with?  Should I put together a portfolio of the techniques I have practiced so they get an idea of my capabilities beyond the education obtained? I am willing to relocate if necessary. My husband is retired so we could really live anywhere. My area, Pinellas County, does have civilian crime scene techs and are under a hiring freeze at the moment. TY

Answer
Hi again Denise,

I would just put together a resume and a copy of all your certificates of training if you have any. plus any classes you have attended or seminars.

As for departments in your area, you will have to look at the list of departments to pick the ones in your area, there are many in Florida. you can find a link list here:
https://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/city-police-departments-in-florida
and
https://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/sheriff-s-office-links

I am not from the Largo area so you will have to pick out the ones in your area but that will show you if they have a web site or not and get you to that.

You may want to check the Florida Jobs website and look under employment: https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/peoplefirst(bD1lbiZjPTIzMA==)/logon.htm

That will show you any state agencies that are hiring.

Good Luck, its a very interesting field to be in.