2. Average Salary $58,000 Yearly (Georgia) $58,000 Yearly (Georgia) $54,000 Yearly (California) $54,000 Yearly (California) $51,000 Yearly (Alabama) $51,000 Yearly (Alabama) $51,000 Yearly (Michigan) $51,000 Yearly (Michigan) $48,000 Yearly (Ohio) $48,000 Yearly (Ohio) $47,000 Yearly (Florida) $47,000 Yearly (Florida) $45,000 Yearly (Wisconsin) $45,000 Yearly (Wisconsin)

3. Responsibilities Search: Search: First walkthrough a CSI agent takes. First walkthrough a CSI agent takes. Search for and apprehend evidence. Search for and apprehend evidence. Documentation: Documentation: Must formally document the crime scene. Must formally document the crime scene. Includes: photos, diagrams and sketches, and written notes. Includes: photos, diagrams and sketches, and written notes. Evidence Collection Evidence Collection Must collect relevant evidence. Must collect relevant evidence. Evidence, such as articles of clothing, hair, nail clippings and fiber samples, must be collected in such a manner that its integrity is preserved. Evidence, such as articles of clothing, hair, nail clippings and fiber samples, must be collected in such a manner that its integrity is preserved. Also has to rope off the crime scene to prevent people from tampering with evidence. Also has to rope off the crime scene to prevent people from tampering with evidence.

4. Being a CSI agent is both a man and a woman's job.. If your heart is in it you can do it!

5. Legal Duties Based on their investigation, crime scene investigators help lawyers and other legal officials prepare criminal proceedings. Based on their investigation, crime scene investigators help lawyers and other legal officials prepare criminal proceedings. Investigators also are called on to testify in court, where they are the foremost authority on what was found on the scene and what conclusions were drawn. Investigators also are called on to testify in court, where they are the foremost authority on what was found on the scene and what conclusions were drawn. They must be able to explain what the evidence means and why certain conclusions seem compelling based on investigation. They must be able to explain what the evidence means and why certain conclusions seem compelling based on investigation. Crime scene investigators must also be familiar with national and state laws and with relevant case law to put the evidence in perspective. Crime scene investigators must also be familiar with national and state laws and with relevant case law to put the evidence in perspective.

6. Education Level Required Completion of a 4-year degree in Biology or Chemistry is also acceptable for this line of work and may offer greater career flexibility. Completion of a 4-year degree in Biology or Chemistry is also acceptable for this line of work and may offer greater career flexibility. Professionals in this field come from a variety of educational backgrounds, including general studies and Criminal Justice, although graduates of these programs may be required to complete additional forensic training. Professionals in this field come from a variety of educational backgrounds, including general studies and Criminal Justice, although graduates of these programs may be required to complete additional forensic training.

7. Job Benefits Personal Leave Personal Leave All full-time employees are eligible for paid vacation/personal leave to include 10 paid holidays and a day off for their birthday. All full-time employees are eligible for paid vacation/personal leave to include 10 paid holidays and a day off for their birthday. Retirement Plan Retirement Plan All full-time employees are permitted to contribute to the company's 401(k) plan and will receive qualified matching contributions All full-time employees are permitted to contribute to the company's 401(k) plan and will receive qualified matching contributions Tuition/Continuing Education Reimbursement Tuition/Continuing Education Reimbursement we subsidize tuition expenses incurred through approved institutions and courses related to the employee's position. we subsidize tuition expenses incurred through approved institutions and courses related to the employee's position. Medical, Dental, Life and Disability Insurance Coverage Medical, Dental, Life and Disability Insurance Coverage All employees receive full medical coverage and have access to dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance coverage through our benefits providers. All employees receive full medical coverage and have access to dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance coverage through our benefits providers.

8. Pathways College College Forensic Investigations, Jacksonville State University Forensic Investigations, Jacksonville State University Forensic Investigations Forensic Investigations www.uab.edu/home, The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers criminal justice classes. www.uab.edu/home, The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers criminal justice classes. www.uab.edu/home Starter Jobs (getting your foot in the door). Starter Jobs (getting your foot in the door). You could get a job at your local police station being an private investigator. This will look good on a resume and show your future employer that you have experience. You could get a job at your local police station being an private investigator. This will look good on a resume and show your future employer that you have experience. Volunteer at your local police station, for any position. This also gives you some experience in the field. Volunteer at your local police station, for any position. This also gives you some experience in the field.

9. Fiction Vs Fact Fiction: The "CSI" team can get prints off almost anything. Fiction: The "CSI" team can get prints off almost anything. VS. VS. Fact: "It's not that simple," said Patty Madrid, Lubbock police crime scene officer. "It has to be a smooth surface to get a fingerprint, and it has to be ideal conditions." Fact: "It's not that simple," said Patty Madrid, Lubbock police crime scene officer. "It has to be a smooth surface to get a fingerprint, and it has to be ideal conditions."

10. Fiction Vs. Fact Fiction: DNA is always a sure thing. Fiction: DNA is always a sure thing.VS. Fact: "Results are not always perfect," Rodriguez Garcia said. With some small or degraded DNA samples, it's not always possible to get a full DNA profile. Fact: "Results are not always perfect," Rodriguez Garcia said. With some small or degraded DNA samples, it's not always possible to get a full DNA profile.

11. Fiction Vs. Fact Fiction: The "CSI" team works in a low-lit, almost eerie lighting. Fiction: The "CSI" team works in a low-lit, almost eerie lighting.VS. Fact: Forensic scientists need bright lights to analyze evidence. The DPS lab uses fluorescent lights. Fact: Forensic scientists need bright lights to analyze evidence. The DPS lab uses fluorescent lights.