You could do a degree accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. You could then join a scenes of crime training programme.

Subjects include:

• forensic science
• applied science
• criminology
• chemistry
• biology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

If you're already working in the police service in a support role, you might be able to apply for training to become a Tier 1 crime scene investigator (CSI).

Your employer will organise training through the College of Policing. The training covers investigative methods for volume and priority crime, such as vehicle-related offences, burglary and street robbery.

You can apply directly to a police force to join as a trainee scenes of crime officer.

Each force sets its own entry requirements but you might need one or more of the following:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
• a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications
• experience of working in the police service
• a willingness to work long and unsocial hours

Initial training can take between 6 and 12 months.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of public safety and security
• administration skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

For some police forces, you might need to undergo vetting procedures like psychological screening.

You'll usually need a driving licence.

As a scenes of crime officer, you could:

• attend crime scenes and other major incidents
• preserve and protect the investigation area
• record scenes and potential evidence using photography and video
• gather fingerprints, hairs, fibres and other materials
• find, record and recover evidence like blood and DNA samples
• keep written records and update information systems with evidence details
• produce crime scene reports and give evidence in court

You could work on the streets, in a court, at a mortuary or at a police station.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, outdoors some of the time, dirty and cramped.

You may need to wear protective clothing.