Crime Scene Analyst Interview Preparation Guide

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You should do your research prior to the interview. Look into background history of the company, this will help you stick out. Learn about main people, have they been in the news lately? The interviewer doesn’t expect you to know dates and certain people, but showing that you have enough interest to research the company is a positive impression.

I do not like that I may not always get the results I would like to see but I understand this is necessary in order to maintain an ethically sound and accurate analysis.

I try to learn as much as I can from those around me and in literature and media. I take peoples criticism seriously and thoughtfully without compromising my identity or self esteem.

I have not ruined evidence but I have run out of sample for a test and simply used the computer to locate another sample collected for that patient or request a redraw if the patient was in the hospital.

On television shows like CSI they have criminalists interviewing and arresting people. In real life criminalists do not do that. In some states we can only use the evidence that has been collected by police officers, in other states there are teams that process crime scenes. The person who collects the evidence may not be the one who actually analyzes it. Each piece of evidence goes to its own specialty: DNA, firearms, drugs, toxicology or trace evidence.

One of the best things about the fields of criminal justice and criminology is the sheer variety of career choices available. Of course, there are the traditional career paths associated with the industry, such as law enforcement and corrections, but there truly is so much more to it than that.

College professors, policy makers, conservation officers, lawyers, dispatchers, private security and loss prevention specialists all have important roles within criminal justice and criminology. In truth, no matter what your interest, you're very likely to find a corresponding career path in the industry.

College is a tremendous investment, both in time and money. If you're going to make such an investment, you definitely want to know how much skin in the game you need to have and what kind of return you can expect. The amount of education you'll need to have will depend greatly on the kind of job you want.

There are plenty of criminal justice and criminology careers that don't require any degree at all, whereas others will necessitate a master's or even a doctorate. You’ll have to do a little research here about the specific job you're looking for, and be sure to take earning potential into account so you don't saddle yourself with needless student loan debt and minimal resources to pay it back.

A flip side to the earlier question on weaknesses. Employers want to know what strengths you have that can help the organization. Choose strengths that are relevant to the industry you are applying for. But do not simply rattle off adjectives such as ‘hardworking’, ‘enthusiastic’ etc. as your answers. Instead, back them up with examples of real-life situations in which those aspects were presented. An example would be describing the number of organisations you liaised with to obtain sponsors for an extracurricular project as being a go-getter.

Emancipation is the act by which a minor, who had limited legal rights and additional legal privileges, gains all the rights and responsibilities of an adult and has the legal capacity to act as an adult.

Emancipation does not change the effect of laws which restrict behavior by a minimum age.

Yes and No. We are fortunate in that we are provided with state of the art equipment. We have most of what is shown on television, and we perform a lot of the same functions as seen. However, our agency does not have lab capabilities. We document the scene, process for latent fingerprints and collect evidence. All laboratory analysis is performed at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab. Additionally, all our technicians are civilians, they do not conduct interviews nor do they have arrest powers. And finally, it is not as glamorous or as easy as it is on television. The actors and actresses never get dirty and always complete the crime scene documentation, the entire investigation, the autopsy, and lab analysis all in one hour. It is not uncommon for us to spend ten or twelve hours at a homicide scene just documenting the scene, processing for latent fingerprints, and collecting evidence.

I have the ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material, combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events), apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense, see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer), listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

My work style matching exactlty what cashier job requires by: being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks, being honest and ethical, maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations, analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems, accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.

This is another question looking towards job commitment. Some people go through jobs like socks because they don’t have a life plan, and your answer can show insight into this. It can also be used for finding out if you are the type that sets goals at all in life, because those that make long-term goals are usually more reliable. Also, your goals can provide insight on your personality too.

You should respond with an answer that shows progression in your career is on track with your route in the company. It’s important to do your research on company prospects, this way you understand what to expect and if it’s in your long-term goal. Interviewers don’t want to set you on a path that won’t provide the results you want, resulting in you resigning.

My career as a cleaner has greatly enhanced my detaild oriented abilities, im able to see stains, holes, finger prints, fibers and more now that I would of expected. My talents for painting has enable me to understand colors and contrasts, which are very important in photography, it has helped me with my sketches and my fingerprint development techniques, it has also helped me determine colors and shades. I also have spent a good portion of my life learning and perfecting photoshop, which is very helpful for photograph enhancements.

I got into the forensic field by accident.
I was working in the toxicology lab at the medical school in Portland, and the state police crime lab was upstairs. They’d come down and ask for assistance with blood alcohol or toxicity, so I got to know them.
When they got a grant to expand the lab, I decided I’d just as soon not be a medical tech the rest of my life. After that it was on-the-job training. I went to the FBI academy for training in hairs and fibers, instrumental analysis for paint chips—all that trace evidence.

The age of the minors involved can factor into this question. If the minors are both between the ages of 12 but less than 16, they both can be charged. If one minor is less than 12 and the other over 12, the child over 12 will be charged. Child on child acts committed by minors who are both under the age of 12 are evaluated on a case by case basis.

We do have an automated Fingerprint Identification System that can search unidentified fingerprints and palm prints, however this system only selects possible matches. The final comparison and identification must be performed by a person with the required expertise.

Forensic science technician responsibilities are to keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques; testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings; use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes; operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus; prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work; confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation; visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations;
train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques; collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity; reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence; examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes; collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints; interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes; examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition; analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred; use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases; review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit; determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings; identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes; examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information such as serial numbers; compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

The Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process, relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions, the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar, the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods, circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

I would have to think that the only thing that would disgust me thus inhibit my preformance would be smelling something disgusting, however after a sertain amount of time the smells tend to become common.

Like criminal justice and criminology, forensic science offers a wide array of specializations so that there's a place for almost anyone. Besides the most commonly associated job of the crime scene investigator, nearly every scientific discipline has a forensics component.

Properly qualified and educated job seekers can explore entomology, psychology, anthropology, ballistics, biology and more, with practical applications in jobs such as bloodstain pattern experts. There's also a place for the technologically inclined through computer and digital forensics, and for the detail-oriented individual through handwriting analysis.

Shows like CSI and Dexter have increased the popularity of and the interest in forensic science careers. Coupled with scientific and technological advancements in the field make these sorts of careers more and more appealing, and thus more competitive. To become a forensic scientist, you'll want to focus on learning about science. In college, study the natural sciences, and hone your expertise if you are interested in a particular specialization. Try to find internships at forensics labs, apprentice under other scientists, and develop strong written and oral communication skills. You can also expect to have to pass a background check.

This tests your knowledge about the industry’s strengths, challenges and opportunities. Ensure you’ve done your research beforehand – make a list of improvements you hope to see, and plan out how you can help to implement these changes. Your interviewer will have a clearer idea of what value you can bring to the table after understanding your standpoint. Just remember not to slam the company’s existing practices or strategies in your quest to impress!

Report the Identify theft to the Sheriff’s Office or the State Attorney’s Office. The Identification Section will obtain your fingerprints and compare them to the fingerprint on the traffic citation. A report of the findings will be provided to the traffic court and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Records Section.