Crime analysts play an important role in helping detectives solve crimes. They may be responsible for gathering evidence from a crime scene. They may have to test samples of a victim’s hair or other DNA in order to determine the perpetrator of a crime. A crime analyst plays an important role in also studying the crime patterns of a city. He or she may study crime patterns in order to determine the root causes of crime in an area of the country. A crime analyst may figure out the reasons for why gangs tend to flock to certain parts of a city. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a crime analyst?” When you want to become a crime analyst, it is always a good idea to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field like criminology or criminal justice.
What’s it like to be a crime analyst?
When you become a crime analyst, you will be given various cases to work on everyday. You may need to get in touch with the family members of a victim in order to learn more about what occurred on the day of the crime. One of your major responsibilities will be multi-tasking and assembling all of the evidence that is required for your cases. You will also need to conduct research studies of certain parts of a city. You may have to work long hours as a crime analyst if you are given a case that has a deadline. You may have to call individuals who have been involved in a crime, and you may also have to travel to different scenes where crimes may take place. It can be a dangerous and exhilarating experience to be a crime analyst.
Education Requirements
To become a crime analyst, you will need to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You should obtain a degree in the fields of forensic science, criminal justice, criminology or one of the other social sciences. If one pursues an advanced Master’s degree, then he or she may be in a better position to receive a job as a crime analyst. One may also be able to negotiate a higher salary with additional degrees. There are certain software applications that may be helpful to know about before one becomes a crime analyst. One may also need to complete a training program before he or she practices as a crime analyst.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a crime analyst is about $33,000 to $55,000. One’s salary will depend on the amount of education that one has. A crime analyst can also receive certain bonuses for his or her work. One may receive a bonus in the range of $300 to $1,500. To obtain a position as a crime analyst, one should try to network with other professionals in the field. One may also want to check with local detective offices to see whether there are any open positions. It is also a good idea to consult with the career services office at one’s college in order to inquire about any open crime analyst positions. A career counselor should know about local detective offices or internship programs that may offer you some great opportunities. One can also look online to find out about opportunities as a crime analyst.
References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/about_6571386_criminal-analyst-job-description.html