Criminal Justice Schools Train Investigators, Not Actors

It's fair to say that at some point, I am sure most of us have watched an episode of a popular crime show like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and have been captivated by the use of forensic science and investigative work that those men and women do to solve a murder or other crime. Within the space of one televised hour, we see the crime scene assessed, evidence gathered, suspects questioned, a big twist and presto, we have our perpetrator behind bars. It all fits quite nicely in between dinner and bed. However, real-life forensic scientists would beg to differ on the realities presented in this hit show and others. They would also point out that forensic scientists have many different specialties that can range from crime scene investigation to forensic accounting. In fact, criminal justice schools have a wide range of degree options that all can lead to a rewarding and intellectually stimulating job.On the TV show, when a crime scene is discovered and cordoned off, forensic investigators are called in to assess it. Usually they are good looking and well-dressed investigators that come in, do a nice clean sweep of the room within minutes, find evidence and send it back to the lab. You'll learn in your criminal justice classes, however, that investigators spend hours, if not days, scouring everything in the room. In some situations, they have to wear special outfits so as not to contaminate the room and often leave the scene in a completely different state of cleanliness. The bullets that are so handy and convenient to be picked up on the floor on TV? Not so much in real life. Bullets are often mangled or shattered beyond recognition and can only be removed once other crime-scene work has been completed. In addition, when evidence is removed, the investigator has to use special gloves and devices so as not to contaminate it. On TV, it might seem as if that handkerchief or pencil doesn't contaminate it, but on the microscopic level, the damage is irreversible.In most crime scenes, if not all, fingerprints are used as the main evidence against a suspect. They can make or break a case, and on TV, they are the best tool for convicting someone. However, the technology that is used in identifying the fingerprint's owner is not always the most accurate. In reality, the fingerprint database can only reveal probable fingerprint owners, not the exact match. Also, not everyone is catalogued in the fingerprint database. This can often leave investigators in the lurch until more convincing evidence can be collected and more suspects questioned.If you've been even remotely bothered by the corpses and autopsy scenes on TV, you can expect to be completely distressed when it comes to autopsies in real life. Those unfortunate bodies shown on TV are usually quite handsome and have pale, but normal complexions. In real life, corpses have the effects of rigor mortis and it's not pretty: swollen features, purple discolorations and skin that is gray and waxy to the touch. On CSI, the cast of a weapon, like a knife, can be easily recreated by pouring caulk into the wound, allowing it to dry and removing it to reveal the perfect imitation of the weapon. In real life, careful measurements are taken layer by layer in the skin tissue.While high-tech machines that can magnify crime scene images exist, they are not nearly as powerful as those shown on TV. If an image was magnified to the specifications that they use on TV, the image would be blurry and pixelated beyond recognition. Obviously, this does not always lead to a conviction.Don't let all of these differences discourage you. In fact, it should be even more encouraging and tempting to get into this complex and interesting field of study. Forensic science can take on all different shapes and forms. Some can specialize strictly in a lab setting, analyzing blood or hair samples. Others can be a detective as well as a crime scene investigator, with the ability to arrest a perpetrator. And still others may keep their nose to files or computers that are brought in as evidence, looking for signs of fraud or suspicious notes and computer files. In all sectors of criminal justice, occupational growth is growing more than ever before. There are more specialties in these fields being added, such as IT Security, which investigates online frauds and schemes that prey on internet users. Forensic science even extends to homeland security and anti-terrorism units.From a bachelor degree in criminal justice to a master degree in criminal justice, criminal justice degrees are becoming more attainable through online schools. If you are looking for a different career or want to advance your degree in criminal justice while working or raising a family, then having an online option is a viable choice to consider. But remember, this career choice is one that is far different from popular TV shows like CSI, but can have a much more rewarding outcome than getting granted another season.