CSI & Forensic Science Education in California
Explore degree programs, forensic science training, career paths and educational requirements for crime scene investigation work in California.
Explore CSI DegreesFinding the Right Path Into Forensic Science
Crime scene and forensic careers do not all begin the same way. Some people study forensic science or crime scene investigation directly, while others build a foundation in criminal justice, biology or chemistry and add forensic training later.
The right route depends on the work you want to do, whether that is documenting evidence in the field or analyzing it in a laboratory, and on what the agencies you hope to work for expect.
Start With the Right CSI Education Path
There is more than one way into crime scene and forensic work. Some people begin with a program in crime scene investigation or forensic science; others come through criminal justice, biology or chemistry.
Specialized training can build on that foundation. Education requirements vary by agency and by role, so it helps to know the kind of work you want before choosing a program.
Explore CSI and Forensic Science Programs
Crime Scene Investigation
Programs focused on documenting scenes and on collecting, packaging and preserving physical evidence.
Forensic Science
Science-based programs that apply chemistry, biology and laboratory analysis to physical evidence.
Criminal Justice
Programs covering the justice system, law and procedure, often paired with forensic coursework or later technical training.
Forensic Biology & Chemistry
Natural science degrees with a forensic emphasis, a common foundation for crime laboratory work.
What Does a Crime Scene Investigator Do?
Crime scene investigators document scenes through notes, sketches, measurements and photography. They locate, collect and package physical evidence and preserve it so its integrity and chain of custody hold up. Much of that evidence is analyzed by forensic laboratories, so investigators work closely with laboratory staff as well as with detectives.
Build a Forensics Career in California
Forensic work spans several roles: crime scene investigators and evidence technicians who work in the field, and forensic science technicians and criminalists who analyze evidence in crime laboratories.
Employers include city and county agencies and the California Department of Justice. Titles, duties and education requirements differ from one agency to the next.