27,July 2024
Have you ever been fascinated by the true crime TV shows that involve crime investigations? Or have you been inclined ever toward the forensic investigators who work as private detectives to help law enforcement agencies solve the crimes? If yes, and if you also have the curiosity to know how these private investigators work and how to become a private forensic investigator then this blog is worth reading for you. Finding a simple way through which you can realize your dream of becoming an investigator is an important and tough task. Hence to help such candidates, here in this blog, we have mentioned all the necessary details regarding such professionals.
Who Is A Private Investigator?
These are the experts who stay away from mainstream crime investigation teams instead they work as hidden people. They do not come into direct contact with the victims or the offenders instead they conduct their research and analysis work while being undercover. If you ever come across these people you will not be able to figure out the real identity of them. It is because their primary task is to uncover those hidden mysteries of a case that are not easily accessible to other forensic experts.
Some of the most important facts related to a case mystery can’t be figured out simply by the team of crime investigation agencies and police personnel. For example, these people deal with the identification of the potential suspects and the real culprit of a case by digging out the past of people involved in the crime and checking their connection with other people.
How To Become A Private Forensic Investigator?
The fame that a private detective deserves in India is really less as of now, however, it may boom in the upcoming few years. This is the reason why less information is available in the market about the procedure that a candidate needs to follow to become a successful private investigator. But one thing should be kept in mind while making a decision of opting for this career, i.e. it is a rewarding career choice because the experts in this field are hired by several public and private organizations.
Some of the organizations that hire these professionals are legal firms, crime investigation agencies, businesses, and individuals. These professionals are required to investigate matters like infidelity, fraud, theft, kidnapping, missing people, and various other criminal activities. We cannot deny the fact that the demand for these investigators has grown in recent years because of the increase in cybercrime and the requirement of such people in the corporate world as well.
1. Complete Your Education:
If you wish to embark on a career as a private forensic investigator, then the foremost step that needs to be completed by you is to build a solid educational foundation. It is because your job is not an easy one and requires full attention and knowledge of the subject. Therefore to get a deep understanding of the same, a candidate should first complete their education in the same discipline.
To become an investigator, you will be required to get the following mentioned degrees:
Bachelor’s Degree:
The first step in building your career as a private investigator is to get a bachelor’s degree in the field of forensic science, criminal justice, biology, chemistry, or an equivalent discipline. It is necessary for a candidate to pursue an undergraduate degree in this discipline because it helps you in learning the necessary skills that are required to investigate a case.
In order to do so, you will be required to get admission into a good forensic college and for this, you will be required to fulfill the basic eligibility conditions as mentioned by the respective college offering admission into forensics course.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must have passed classes 10th and 12th in the science stream from a recognized board with at least 50% aggregate marks.
Students who wish to be private investigators can enroll themselves in below mentioned format for getting a degree:
Options Available To Pursue Bachelors Degree:
- Full-time Degree: Candidates have the option of pursuing their degree in this field in full-time mode from a reputed institute.
- Part-time Degree: Candidates can also opt to pursue a degree in part-time mode as well. There are several colleges that offer part-time degrees to their students.
- Online Degree: Candidates who are working professionals or those who live far from the colleges can opt for online courses as well.
Bachelor’s Program Available To Become Private Investigator:
- B.Sc. in Forensic Science,
- B.Tech in Forensic Science.
2. Advanced Degrees:
It is not mandatory for a candidate to opt for further education and obtain a master’s degree or get specialized certifications in the same discipline. But you can also go for pursuing your post-graduation in the field of forensics because it will enhance your expertise and the salary packages that will be offered to you. For example getting a specialized degree or certificate in disciplines like forensic psychiatry, forensic psychology, etc will turn out to be very valuable to you.
Candidates can opt for the following postgraduate degrees to become an investigator:
- M.Sc. in Forensic Science,
- M.Tech in Forensic Science,
- M.Phil in Forensic Science,
- PhD in Forensic Science.
3. Gain Practical Experience:
One of the most important factors that help you to be an investigator is to get proper practical training in the field of forensic investigation. It is because this is a field that demands your complete attention to each detail and it can only be acquired through getting hands-on-experience training.
Practical experience can be gained by a candidate through following methods:
- Internships or Entry-level Positions: Candidates are advised to seek internships or entry-level positions in forensic labs, law enforcement agencies, or private investigation firms. This practical exposure will help the candidates to develop skills in evidence collection, analysis, and documentation.
- Networking: Another way is to build relationships within the forensic science community through conferences, workshops, and professional associations. And therefore networking can provide valuable insights and job opportunities to you.
4. Obtain Necessary Certifications:
Once you are done with getting an undergraduate degree in forensic science and equivalent discipline now the next step is to get a certificate in the specific discipline of forensics in which you wish to make your investigation career. The time span of the certification may vary from 6 months to 12 months.
5. Develop Specialized Skills:
To become a successful forensic investigator it is important for a candidate to possess a range of specialized skills. It is because as we have mentioned earlier this job is a field job and therefore it becomes crucial for an investigator to learn special skills. Some of the skills that are important to acquire are as mentioned below:
- Attention to Detail:
Candidates must be attentive to their work because the ability to meticulously analyze evidence and document findings is essential and should be able to pay complete attention to the investigation.
- Critical Thinking:
This field is very demanding and therefore forensic investigators are required to have strong analytical and critical thinking skills to piece together complex puzzles.
- Technological Proficiency:
Since you will be required to tackle forensic science courses hence you need to familiarize yourself with forensic tools and software that are used in digital forensics and evidence analysis.
Once you are done with the completion of all the above mentioned steps including acquiring the necessary education, experience, and certifications in the same discipline, then you can start with your professional journey. Experts in the field are hired by several private and public organizations and these professionals can work in the following organizations:
- Private Investigation Firms,
- Consulting Agencies,
- Government Agencies,
- Independent Consultants. Etc.
Becoming a private forensic investigator is a tough task and requires dedication, education, and a passion for solving puzzles and crime mysteries. By following these steps and continuously building the necessary skills and knowledge in the respective discipline, you can embark on a rewarding career in forensic investigation and will contribute to the pursuit of justice and truth.
If you’re intrigued by the world of forensic investigation, start exploring educational programs and gaining practical experience without giving a second thought because it opens a new door to your professional journey.
References:
- https://www.tackledetective.com/ how-to-become-a-private-detective -in-india/