Crime Scene Investigator Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Crime Scene Investigator includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Ensure that crime scenes are effectively secured to avoid contamination and tampering.
  • Identify, collect and package evidence at the crime scene, including weapons, fingerprints, fibers, DNA, and other biological evidence.
  • Testify in court regarding evidence collected.
  • Able to work independently and with a team of investigators.
  • Strong understanding of and adherence to protocol.
  • Attend training and exercises to supplement skills and improve knowledge.
  • Photograph, videotape and draw sketches of the crime scene for future reference.
  • Transport evidence to the laboratory for further analysis.
  • Document evidence and compile detailed reports.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Crime Scene Investigator duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Crime Scene Investigator roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.