Securing the Crime Scene

• One challenge when performing a CSI is securing the area where the crime occurred. If civilians or untrained officers disturb evidence, the investigation will become significantly more difficult, and the disruption may affect the outcome of a future criminal trial. Police tape is the first step, but the investigator must supervise everyone who goes behind the cordon. An inexperienced police officer could destroy a crucial piece of evidence. In public situations, the problem can become especially tricky when crowds and amateur detectives try to find out what is going on. Assertiveness is key in keeping the CSI sacrosanct.
  
  

Managing Witnesses and Bystanders

• Many homicides or other crimes will involve bereaved or traumatized friends and family members who witnessed the incident. Keeping them from interfering in the CSI or disturbing evidence can be an especially delicate operation. They may not understand the protocols involved in CSI or appreciate the fact that you are trying to help them. Further, when the investigation occurs in someone's home, the resident may be less than cooperative when police officers don't let him enter his own living room. Crisis management skills will prove essential in these situations, especially when you are the first to arrive on the scene.
  
  

Collecting Evidence

• Crime scenes rarely prove simple to investigate. You will need to be meticulous in collecting evidence. The tiniest hair fiber may be the solution to your case. You cannot overlook that or anything else. Be prepared for extensive kneeling, crawling and other awkward maneuvering to preserve the crime scene. Further, the investigator must not only be thorough and systematic, but must also have a knack for uncovering inconspicuous evidence. Experience helps, but CSI experts constantly undergo training in the latest forensic technologies to keep at the cutting edge of their profession.
  
  

Work Schedules

• Murders and other crimes frequently occur outside of business hours. You will need to work on investigations as the need arises, sometimes in the middle of the night. Even if they work the day shift, most CSI personnel must be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.