The crime scene – a mysterious puzzle with many clues and no immediate nor obvious answers.

The crime scene – a mysterious puzzle with many clues and no immediate nor obvious answers. Posing more questions than answers, it is down to the crime scene investigator (CSI) to sift through all this information and process it.

Clues and answers can hide in the most unexpected of places such as garden hedges, sewers, under the fingernails, it could be the hair left by the perpetrator as they fled the scene or even the fingerprint on the door, hitherto unseen.

It sounds like an exciting career – and it can be – but in order to break into the world of crime scene investigation, you will need a basic knowledge and a strong grounding in the skills and abilities needed. This is why finding the best forensic science courses are essential.

What does a crime scene investigator do?

They recover evidence from all kinds of places from burglaries to vehicle theft, rape and murder. As a CSI you will be expected to:

• Preserve and protect the crime scene so that the evidence cane be recovered; it is important to protect the crime scene to prevent things not only being lost or destroyed but also protecting it from cross contamination
• Find out what evidence is needed and then decide to best way to recover this evidence
• Record the scene photographically, and sometimes with video too
• Look for marks left at the scene such as footprints
• Locate, record and recover evidence such as clothing fibres, blood, hair, paint and so on using various techniques
• Packaged all the evidence and send for analysis
• Keep detailed written records, producing statements when needed
• This evidence can be central to many cases, including those conducted by the coroner

The services provided by CSIs and their colleague is 24 hours, thus, if you are convinced this career is for you, you need to be aware that you will be working on a shift pattern, which will include night working, Likewise, some teams also work on an on-call basis too.

You also need to be realistic about the things that you will see and bear witness too. Some of these scenes will be distressing and upsetting, something that many people when looking into how to train to be a crime scene investigator will not realise.

It is a demanding job, emotionally and physically. Crime scenes can literally be anywhere, from someone’s driveway to remote places that are inhospitable and unpleasant. Check out our criminology courses to see if this career is for you.

You will also need to be prepared for the fact that CSIs are also required to write up detailed and sometimes quite lengthy reports for the investigating police team. Processing a crime scene for clues is only part of the job; the other half is making sure you note everything down and communicate this effectively to those that need to know.

Getting started

Being a CSI means being part of a team, and you will be supervised closely by a senior forensic scientist both in the field and with admin based task. You will need to be able to focus for long periods of time, and bring a problem-solving approach to situations too.

If this type of work interest you, you may be wondering what the first steps into this kind of work are – and the best way of training to become a CSI.

• Good educational background – every force has different entry requirements for their CSIs but a rule of thumb is five GCSEs at grades A to C. Some forces also stipulate that candidates must have A Levels. However, with a comprehensive course such as the Diplomas that we offer, successful completion of the course will show that you have a good knowledge and grasp of key concepts.
• Expand your photography and videoing skills – CSI work can be a competitive field and so the same time that you are studying for the Diploma qualification, why not take a look at how you can improve your photography and videoing skills? Showing that you can understand and work modern, fairly complex cameras could make a big difference.
• Other practical skills and attributes – full-colour vision is needed, and a clean driving licence is also preferable too. And don’t forget, you will need to be physically fit too.

In Summary

As you look into how to train to become a crime scene investigator, you may come across many courses that guarantee or promise great results. Rather than focusing on the marketing of a course, take the time to look into the course content. Learn how to become a CSI with our online guide.

For many people, becoming a CSI is a total career change and thus, being able to study flexibly and outside of their normal work hours is important. Home study courses can open up a whole new world of opportunities – and with our pay monthly option, courses are affordable too.

Forensic science is a field where precision and exactitude are vital. The developments which make forensics such a trusted and valuable resource in criminal investigations – from the crime scene to the courtroom – have taken groundbreaking research and scientific work to discover and perfect. The technology and its uses continue to develop, and with NCC, you could become a part of its exciting future.

So, where did it all begin? As early as the 16^th century, medical experts and academics on the continent were beginning to examine the way in which a death caused by extreme violence would damage bodily organs. This was the first time that cause of death was examined in this methodical and systematic way. It was a far cry from the forensic detail of the techniques that have followed it, but it was a huge step in paving the way towards more complex procedural discoveries.

The UK

Whilst those developments happened on the continent, here in the U.K., many groundbreaking techniques were being cultivated. In 1784, the first formative use of what would become Ballistic Fingerprinting was used in a criminal investigation – and was also one of the first examples of Physical Matching.  John Toms was convicted of murder after the torn edges of paper found in his pistol were a match for papers found in his pocket.

 In 1835, the first use of ballistics as we now know it was used by Scotland Yard. Investigator Henry Goddard compared the bullets at a scene to prove that Joseph Randall – the accused – had lied in his testimony. Goddard proved that all the bullets at the scene matched one another and would have come from the same gun, successfully discrediting Randall’s story of an exchange of gunfire between him and a gang of men.

Away from the police stations and court rooms, further technologies were being developed for future forensic use. In 1854, physician Richard Leach Madox perfected dry plate photography. This technique which bettered Daugerre’s version was heralded in forensic circles, as it made taking photos of inmates for prison records a manageable task. This would become crucial in keeping track of repeat offenders and was arguably a prototype for the Criminal Database.

The first major forensic developments regarding blood happened at the beginning of the 20^th century. Karl Landsteiner won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of human blood groups in 1901, and his successor Max Richter adapted his techniques to forensic science through validation experiments. The developments of these two men formed the backbone for all subsequent blood work used to convict or clear those accused of crimes.

The 20th Century

The 20^th century saw a surge of increasingly advance forensic techniques which only required tiny samples to determine an accurate profile, and were able to prove that the chances of a sample belonging to anyone other than an offender were in the billions-to-one.

Whilst the early decades of the 1900s saw the first murder in the U.K. to be based on fingerprint evidence and Calvin Goddard (no relation to Henry) perfecting the ballistic comparison microscope, the single most important technology so far came in 1984, at the University of Leicester.

It was Sir Alec Jeffreys, a research fellow who discovered a method for identifying individuals by their DNA, using the technique of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). This system broke down DNA samples into segments, and the resulting restriction fragments were separated based on their length, using a stunning new technique named Gel electrophoresis.

Just three years later, the first major conviction based on DNA took place, appropriately enough in Leicestershire, where a man was convicted of two murders, using this remarkable new forensic tool as the central piece of evidence.

Forensics Now

Since then, DNA techniques have become increasingly more refined, and the cataloguing of forensic information has become more thorough, through systems like the UK’s NDNAD and America’s CODIS.

As with any science, the basics of forensic science and the ethos that created its developments are still key. The focus on precision, the thirst for knowledge and improvement and a commitment to justice have always been central to this field. From logistical matters like being careful to collect evidence without disturbing a crime scene to complex DNA analysis, forensics has always combined precision with progress.

Why not start your journey into forensic science today?

If you’ve recently signed up to either our Digital Photography diploma or our Photo Journalism course then you will no doubt be looking to get the most out of your camera.

Whether you’re undertaking one of these courses in order to develop a career as a special occasion’s photographer or you wish to learn how to market your images to news outlets on a freelance basis, they teach you some of the core skills needed to kick-start your passion for photography. These include understanding the workings of your camera, learning how to control lighting and posing, and how to find your direction.

With many people setting off on their summer holidays over the next few months, one of the best ways to prepare for our courses is to take advantage of your vacation time to test out your current photography skills. This will allow you to look back on your work with a critical eye and test out any ideas you’ve had.

Below we’ve listed a selection of the best compact cameras for your summer holiday activities – these will allow you to take a variety of shots to add to your portfolio and capture some exciting memories to cherish.

Panasonic Lumix LX7

If you need something that fits in your pocket and is available quickly, without compromising image quality, then look no further.

The LX7 is a perfect supplement if you are used to using a digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) but don’t want to be carrying it around all day. With 330 shots per battery charge, advanced features that create impressive soft-focus background effects, and an autofocus that produces images sharper than a knife, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more complete compact model.

Image resolution: 10.1 megapixels

Lens range: F1.4 – F2.3

LCD screen: 920k dot resolution

Continual shooting: 11 frames per second

Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.8”

Price: £270+

Olympus Stylus TG-4

If you’re more of an active photographer and love getting the perfect action shots in some of the most challenging circumstances, the TG-4 is the perfect camera for you.

Waterproof, shockproof, freeze-proof, even crushproof, this camera has you covered for any activity you want to capture from diving to rock climbing. With a solid metal casing and slip-proof rubber grips, the 16 megapixel camera can be on and ready to shoot in under two seconds and can capture pictures at 10 frames per second. If you want to leave the camera around to capture wildlife in its natural environment, it also comes complete with Wi-Fi connectivity allowing you to control the camera from your smartphone.

Image resolution: 16 megapixels

Lens range: F2.0 – F8.0

LCD screen: 460k dot resolution

Continual shooting: 5 frames per second

Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.2”

Price: £299+

Fuji X30

If you want a retro aesthetic to your choice of compact that also blends power, performance, and reliability, then Fuji’s latest offering might be your ideal camera.

Whereas some digital compact cameras can feel almost toy like, little touches to the X30 such as the lens and zoom ring, give the photographer the satisfying feel that they’re holding a ‘real’ camera. With the viewfinder added to the mix, it completes the package.

Though it doesn’t have the highest image resolution and struggles with the sharpness of images at a distance, the X30 suits most needs for a photographer and is a comfortable option if you’re used to solely handling a DSLR.

Image resolution: 12 megapixels

Lens range: F2.0 – F2.8

LCD screen: 920k dot resolution

Continual shooting: 12 frames per second

Dimensions: 4.6 x 2.8 x 2.3”

Price: £320+

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

Featuring the world’s first 65x fixed-lens zoom, if you’re looking for a point and shoot camera ideal for capturing nature and wildlife at its most intimate moments, you can do a lot worse than this.

One of the problems with the superzoom industry is that often the zoom size is at the expense of the things you want your camera to actually do (such as autofocus and take a good picture). With the SX60 this isn’t the case, and with large, textured grips for optimum handling, a great viewfinder feature, and a wide angle lens, Canon’s superzoom is a solid choice for the long distance photographer.

Image resolution: 16 megapixels

Lens range: F3.4 – F6.5

LCD screen: 460k dot resolution

Continual shooting: 2.2 frames per second

Dimensions: 4.8 x 3.4 x 4.1”

Price: £339+

These are just a few compacts that achieve everything the semi-pro photographer wants from a holiday camera. We’d love to see some of your snaps on our Twitter or Facebook page.

It doesn’t matter how good a picture might look, if you tell people it was taken on a smartphone, their opinion is likely to immediately change. A lot of people are of the opinion that you can’t take a good picture on a smartphone camera. However, with the majority of smartphones having a camera that’s 8-megapixels or more, it’s actually a lot easier than you think.

Don’t zoom

Almost all smartphone cameras have a zoom function and, although they can be useful, if you want to take an impressive shot then you should avoid using them if possible. When you use the zoom on your phone you’ll be able to see a noticeable reduction in the quality of the image being produced. Your smartphone zoom function is simply extrapolating the image that is already there and essentially guessing what it looks like close-up – hence the loss of detail.

Cropping the picture means that you maintain the resolution and therefore don’t jeopardise the clarity and the fact that there’s been no upscaling will help mask the fact that it was ever taken on a phone.

Don’t filter, edit

Instagram is great, it makes sharing photos easy and has bought out the amateur photographer in pretty much everyone. However, simply covering your photos with the same filters and washes that are available to everyone, isn’t enough to make you stand out anymore.

Rather than sticking to Instagram, download a proper editing app like Photoshop Express or Photoshop Mix. You’ll be able to make adjustments to the sharpness of images, colour temperature and contrast and you’ll be making your photos unique in the process. There’s no reason you can’t share your images over social media afterwards but this will allow you to start to develop your own style, that you can maintain and share.

Avoid fake blur

One of the biggest challenges of smartphone cameras is achieving depth of field. The combination of wide angle lenses and small sensors mean that background blur is not easy to achieve, and adding it in afterwards almost always looks terrible.

When you use an editing app to add blur, it usually applies it across the entire image. This looks unnatural because it’s not the way that a lens works. It’s also difficult to select the object you want in focus when adding blur which means you end up with harsh transitions – a major giveaway that it’s not natural and you’ve been messing with the original image.

If you feel like taking your photography skills up to the next level then take a look at our selection of home learning courses and wow your friends with your new found talent.

Are you an aspiring Digital Photographer? Would you love to develop your knowledge and skills in this area? You may find this course the ideal home learning programme for you!

You will learn about the basics and how to use your camera. There are a wide range of topics that all strive to enhance your understanding. Your knowledge will be tested in each unit through a formal assessment. At the end of the programme, successful learners will be awarded a Level 3 Certificate of Achievement by NCFE.

Love taking photographs whether it is for a pastime or a potential career path, you are sure to learn a lot. So if you have a keen interest in Digital Photography then why not enrol on to our course today!