What Courses Should I Take in College for a Crime Scene Investigator?

Crime scene investigators, or forensic science technicians, are behind-the-scenes professionals who help detectives build cases and solve crimes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, crime scene investigators who don’t begin their careers as police officers generally have an undergraduate degree in forensic science or in a natural science like chemistry or biological anthropology. The classes that you take in college to work in this profession should teach you to work with a team of detectives and investigators as effectively as you would work in a lab.

Science Classes

Crime scene technicians scientifically analyze physical evidence, so it's important to have a solid foundation in a natural science. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences recommends that you take classes that teach about natural sciences like chemistry and biology. A physical geology class teaches how organisms work and respond to their environments. Physics classes will teach you how to apply Newtonian principles regarding topics like motion, momentum and gravity.

Communication Classes

It’s vital for a crime scene investigator to have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences recommends that you take a public speaking class, which will prepare you to effectively present evidence to colleagues and testify in court as an expert witness. A public speaking class can also help you learn to explain complex processes, like chemical reactions, in a way that's simple to understand, which is important for court testimonies. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences shares that writing accurate notes and clear reports is a vital part of being a crime scene investigator because it helps maintain the integrity of the evidence and forensic findings. Take writing classes to learn how to write clearly and in an organized fashion using the conventions of standard written English. A writing class for criminal justice majors is also valuable because it teaches you how to write notes and reports that are impartial, objective and unbiased based on scientific evidence so they can stand up to legal examinations.

Criminal Investigation Classes

Even if you earn a degree in a natural science, it is wise to take classes related to criminal justice so you can learn about professional standards and practices. A criminal investigation course, for example, will teach you about crime scene procedures, gathering evidence and investigative techniques related to specific crimes. In theoretical criminology courses, you’ll learn about the theoretical and methodological perspectives of natural sciences as they relate to the criminal justice system. Other classes of value may also include criminology, crime analysis, criminal justice, ethics, criminal law or criminal justice administration.

Forensic Science Electives

Elective forensic science courses, which the American Academy of Forensic Sciences calls "concentrations," are classes that introduce you to and enhance your knowledge in different forensic science disciplines. An elective course in death investigations, for instance, will teach you about examining cases related to unexpected, sudden or violent deaths. In a blood spatter pattern analysis elective class, you'll learn about the theories of blood spatter analysis, its history and the techniques that crime scene investigators use to analyze their findings. Other forensic science electives that a school may offer surround the topics of the use of DNA in the criminal justice system, firearms in investigations and voice stress analysis.