Spring 2006: Need Assessment Crime Scene Investigation Prepared by: Sunnary T. Adeva Date: May 31, 2006 Revised Date: November 3, 2006 SP06-Crime Scene Investigation Reviewed by: Jim Fillpot
I. Crime Scene Investigation: Criminalists ( s) Criminalists ( s): Criminalistics is the forensic science of analyzing and interpreting evidence using the natural sciences. science pertains to all sciences applied to legal problems. They examine and identify physical evidence to reconstruct a crime scene. Physical evidence can be a weapon, a piece of clothing, a bloodstain, drugs, or even a vapor in the air. Criminalists use this physical evidence to provide a link between a suspect and the victim. Physical evidence is collected from a crime scene that includes the victim s body and the surrounding area of the crime. Criminalists collect physical evidence at crime scenes and receive evidence at the laboratory, which has been collected at the crime scene by crime scene investigators. II. Outlook Job openings for Criminalists depend largely on government spending, population growth, and the crime rate. Although some Criminalists have private practices, most Criminalist in California are employed by public law enforcement agencies at the State, county, or city level. The Development Department of Labor Market Information Division s occupational survey indicated that 1,680 Criminalists positions existed in the state of California. A survey of the State s largest employers in 2001 showed there were about 270 Criminalists with the Department of Justice, 104 with the Los Angeles Police Department, and 10 with the San Francisco Police Department (city and county). Projected job outlook depends upon both local population growth and the area s continued favorable economic conditions. 2
Figure 1.1: Map of Crime Index for San Bernardino * The crime rate was calculated using data from 2004 US Census and total number of crimes reported in 2004. The map in figure 1.1 illustrates the crime rate for the cities in San Bernardino. The cities with the darker brown shading indicates a higher rate of crime committed in 2004. Cities that reported the highest crime rate include Montclair, Adelanto, Loma Linda, and Grand Terrace. Cities that reported the lowest crime rate include Chino Hills, Chino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Yucaipa, Hesperia, San Bernardino, and Muscoy. It is also important to keep in mind that this data was only available for the 2000 annual year and since then the crime rate for San Bernardino may have change due to increase growth in population and improved economic conditions in the Inland Empire within the last six years. 3
III. Earning Potential The salaries within a crime lab can vary due to the size and location of the lab. There are five levels of Criminalists at the county level and four at the State level. Levels depend upon years of experience; education completed, job responsibility, and authority. Job responsibilities are similar between county and state; however, the average salary ranges are somewhat higher at the state level. Table 1 below shows the annual salary for s in California. Table 1: Annual for (s) in California Year Quarter Number of Employed Hourly Wage(s) Mean Entry-Level Experienced 2001 3 rd 630 $13.94 - $24.71 $43,941 $28,999 $51,412 2002 3 rd 620 $14.65 - $24.97 $44,786 $30,472 $51,943 2003 3 rd 1,040 $17.55 - $28.99 $52,373 $36,508 $60,305 2004 1 st 1,540 $19.52 - $31.87 $57,734 $40,595 $66,304 2004 3 rd 1,720 $20.25 - $33.99 $61,175 $42,109 $70,709 1 st 1,670 $20.76 - $33.86 $61,342 $43,178 $70,426 3 rd 1,680 $20.86 - $33.94 $61,537 $43,397 $70,608 As table 2 indicates, employment of s is projected to grow by at least 33% in California and by 25% in San Bernardino. Table 2: Current and Projected as (s) in 2002-2012 / State San Bernardino Los Angeles Orange Year * Data not available California Occupation Number Employed Projected Number of Change Percent of Change Annual Average Openings 120 150 30 25% 6 510 620 110 22% 23 * * * * * 1,500 2,000 500 33% 90 4
IV. Education and Training An associate of arts degree in this field can qualify a person for the job of forensic identification specialists. There are no licensing and certification requirements for Criminalists. Crime labs are accredited by a national accreditation association and to ensure continuing accreditation, city, county, and State labs conduct regular proficiency tests of their Criminalists. Table 4: Programs of Studies for s in Southern California Institution Program Degree Grossmont Community College Technology/Studies Associate Degree Public or Private Public Accreditation Rio Hondo College Certificate in Certificate Public Yes California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program, City of Industry University of California, Riverside University Extension Certificate in Certificate Public Yes Certificate in Certificate Public Yes Certificate in Certificate Public Yes Certificate in Certificate Public Yes Yes 5