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Temporary Crime Scene Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Odessa

Police Crime Scene Unit Technician

Odessa, TX · On-site

$21.75 - $30.96/hr

Responds to crime scenes as directed, and assists OPD officers with investigations by processing the crime scene for evidence; collects and preserves crime scene and accident scene evidence to aid in ...

City of Odessa

Police Crime Scene Unit Technician

Odessa, TX · On-site

$21.75 - $30.96/hr

Responds to crime scenes as directed, and assists OPD officers with investigations by processing the crime scene for evidence; collects and preserves crime scene and accident scene evidence to aid in ...

City of Ardmore

CRIME SCENE ANALYST

Ardmore, OK

$23.95 - $25.79/hr

Investigate crime scenes at any hour of the day or night, under any weather conditions; survey crime scene and formulate a plan of procedure. Prepare detailed report of investigations, and maintain ...

City of Ardmore, OK

CRIME SCENE ANALYST

Ardmore, OK · On-site

$23.95 - $25.79/hr

Duties Essential Functions: • Investigate crime scenes at any hour of the day or night, under any weather conditions; survey crime scene and formulate a plan of procedure. • Prepare detailed ...

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Temporary Crime Scene Investigator information

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$34K

$59.6K

$88.5K

How much do temporary crime scene investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for temporary crime scene investigator in the United States is $59,636.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary crime scene investigator?

Temporary crime scene investigators are professionals hired on a short-term basis to assist law enforcement agencies in collecting, preserving, and analyzing evidence from crime scenes. Their duties may include photographing the scene, collecting physical evidence, documenting findings, and sometimes testifying in court. These roles are often filled to cover staff shortages, special projects, or high caseload periods. Temporary investigators usually have similar qualifications and training as permanent staff, ensuring that evidence is handled properly and investigations proceed efficiently.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a temporary crime scene investigator?

To thrive as a Temporary Crime Scene Investigator, you need a background in forensic science or criminal justice, strong observational skills, and attention to detail, often supported by relevant coursework or prior experience. Familiarity with evidence collection tools, crime scene photography equipment, and case management systems is typically required. Excellent communication, analytical thinking, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for accurately preserving evidence, ensuring proper documentation, and supporting investigations that may be critical to legal outcomes.

What challenges do temporary crime scene investigators face and how can they integrate with permanent investigative teams?

Temporary crime scene investigators often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new protocols and procedures unique to each agency. They must rapidly build rapport with permanent team members and learn local evidence handling practices. Effective communication, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to asking questions can help temporary CSIs integrate smoothly. Demonstrating flexibility and professionalism ensures they contribute positively to casework, even in a short-term role.

What is the difference between Temporary Crime Scene Investigator vs Crime Scene Investigator?

AspectTemporary Crime Scene InvestigatorCrime Scene Investigator
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma, crime scene training, and sometimes certificationRequires similar credentials, often with additional certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentTemporary positions in crime labs, law enforcement agencies, or forensic teamsFull-time roles in law enforcement or forensic agencies
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, forensic labs, private contractorsLaw enforcement agencies, government forensic units
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking temporary or contract forensic rolesIndividuals exploring full-time forensic investigator careers

Temporary Crime Scene Investigators perform similar duties to Crime Scene Investigators but work on short-term or contract basis. Both roles require relevant training and certifications, and they operate in law enforcement or forensic environments. The main difference lies in employment status, with temporary roles offering flexibility and short-term assignments, while Crime Scene Investigators typically hold permanent positions.

Does being a temporary crime scene investigator pay well?

Temporary crime scene investigators typically earn less than full-time employees, with pay rates varying based on location, experience, and agency budgets. While some positions offer competitive hourly wages, they often lack benefits and job security associated with permanent roles.

How hard is it to get a job as a temporary crime scene investigator?

Securing a temporary crime scene investigator position typically requires relevant training, such as a background in forensic science or criminal justice, and sometimes prior experience in law enforcement or crime scene processing. Competition can be moderate, and employers often look for strong attention to detail, knowledge of evidence collection tools, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments. Certifications like crime scene processing or forensic technician training can improve chances of employment.

How to become a temporary crime scene investigator with no experience?

To become a temporary crime scene investigator with no experience, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and should pursue relevant training or certifications in forensic science, crime scene processing, or law enforcement procedures. Gaining experience through internships, volunteering, or entry-level law enforcement roles can also improve prospects, and familiarity with tools like fingerprint kits or evidence collection techniques is beneficial.
More about Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs

What cities are hiring for Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs?

Cities with the most Temporary Crime Scene Investigator job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Crime Scene Investigator jobs?

The most popular types of Crime Scene Investigator jobs are:

What states have the most Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs are:

Temporary Crime Scene Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Crime Scene Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $59,636 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Crime Scene Technician

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office

Shalimar, FL • On-site

$45K - $52K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Salary : $45,760.00 - $52,000.00 Annually
Location : Administration Office Shalimar, FL
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-5540.01
Department: INVESTIGATIONS
Division: INVESTIGATIONS
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 4:30 PM Central
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Description
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION WAIVER
CJSTC-058-3-2025
Description
Performs technical forensic work involving crime scene documentation and processing and the recognition, collection, preservation, and handling of physical evidence. Duties include forensic photography, latent fingerprint processing, evidence collection, chain of custody, investigative reporting, and courtroom testimony.
Work is performed with considerable independence and requires sound judgment, accuracy, initiative, and compliance with applicable laws, forensic standards, and agency policies and procedures.
Shift work is required. Employees may be assigned on-call periods and must be available for emergency call-out or recall on a 24-hour basis, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require.
Work is performed in varied indoor and outdoor environments and may involve adverse weather, human remains, blood and bodily fluids, hazardous or infectious materials, chemicals, narcotics, and strong or unpleasant odors. Employees must properly utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with established safety, exposure-control, and decontamination procedures.
Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Responds to crime scenes and other locations requiring forensic examination, documentation, evidence collection, or technical assistance.
  • Conducts initial crime scene assessments and walk-throughs in coordination with investigators and other authorized personnel.
  • Identifies, prioritizes, marks, protects, and processes potential evidence.
  • Photographs crime scenes, evidence, injuries, vehicles, deceased persons, and other subjects or locations requiring forensic documentation.
  • Documents crime scenes through photographs, written notes, measurements, sketches or diagrams, evidence placards, and other appropriate documentation methods.
  • Identifies, collects, packages, labels, preserves, and transports physical evidence in accordance with established forensic practices, agency procedures, and applicable legal requirements.
  • Processes crime scenes and items of evidence for latent fingerprints and/or DNA using appropriate physical, chemical, photographic, and other approved development and preservation techniques.
  • Recognizes, documents, collects, preserves, and processes various forms of physical evidence, which may include blood and other biological material, trace evidence, footwear and tire impressions, firearms and ammunition, toolmarks, and other evidentiary material.
  • Safely handles and operates firearms when necessary for forensic examination, documentation, collection, processing, or preservation in accordance with agency firearms-safety and evidence-handling procedures.
  • Documents, photographs, and assists with the processing of deceased persons and associated evidence in coordination with investigators, medical examiner personnel, and other authorized personnel.
  • Attends autopsies or other forensic examinations when required to photograph, document, collect, receive, or preserve evidence.
  • Maintains the integrity and documented chain of custody of evidence from collection through submission, examination, transfer, storage, and authorized disposition.
  • Prepares accurate, complete, objective, and timely forensic investigative reports and associated documentation.
  • Communicates forensic findings and examination results to investigators and other authorized personnel.
  • Assists with the seizure, impoundment, or documentation of vehicles, vessels, property, or other items when required as part of an investigation.
  • Provides testimony in trials, hearings, grand jury proceedings, depositions, and other judicial proceedings concerning crime scene activities, evidence handling, forensic procedures, and findings.
  • Properly selects, uses, removes, maintains, and disposes of PPE and follows applicable exposure-control, contamination-prevention, decontamination, and occupational safety procedures.
  • Operates computers, agency information systems, digital imaging equipment, evidence-management systems, forensic equipment, vehicles, and standard office equipment necessary to perform assigned duties.
  • Inspects, cleans, inventories, and performs routine maintenance of forensic equipment, cameras, vehicles, PPE, processing materials, and supplies; reports deficiencies and replenishes supplies as necessary.
  • Maintains required training, certifications, competencies, and proficiency applicable to assigned forensic duties and remains knowledgeable regarding current forensic practices, technologies, legal requirements, and agency procedures.
  • Maintains regular and predictable attendance and reports for scheduled shifts, on-call assignments, emergency call-outs, and recalls as required.
  • Maintains situational awareness and performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes employee, coworker, and public safety.
  • Works cooperatively and professionally with coworkers, law enforcement personnel, criminal justice partners, medical personnel, victims, witnesses, and members of the public.
  • Complies with applicable laws, agency directives, policies, procedures, safety requirements, and supervisory instructions.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Evidence/Property Room Support
When assigned, provides support to Evidence/Property Room operations, including:
  • Receives, documents, secures, stores, transfers, and releases evidence and property in accordance with agency procedures.
  • Enters and updates evidence and property information within the agency's designated records or evidence-management system.
  • Processes requests for laboratory examinations and prepares evidence for submission to authorized forensic laboratories.
  • Transports or ships evidence to authorized laboratories and accurately documents transfers, submissions, and returns.
  • Researches case status and applicable retention requirements to assist with the authorized release, destruction, donation, sale, or other lawful disposition of property.
  • Releases evidence for court proceedings and other authorized purposes while maintaining documented chain of custody.
  • Processes authorized requests to inspect or view evidence.
  • Notifies property owners and releases found or recovered property when legally authorized.
  • Receives, secures, documents, and stores firearms and other weapons submitted as evidence or property.
  • Maintains required records associated with evidence and property.
  • Maintains the security, integrity, accountability, and chain of custody of evidence and property.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications Applicants must meet both the education and specialized work experience requirements below, as outlined in the substitution table:
Education Level
Required Specialized Work Experience
High school diploma or equivalent
4 years
Associate's degree (in a related field)*
2 years
Bachelor's degree (in a related field)*
1 years
Master's degree or higher (in a related field)*
None
A related field includes Criminal Justice, Criminology, Police Science, Public Safety Administration, Forensic Science, Criminalistics, or a closely aligned discipline.
Specialized Work Experience must include professional-level responsibilities in one or more of the following areas:
  • Independent crime scene processing
    Experience independently responding to and processing crime scenes, conducting systematic assessments and walkthroughs, identifying and prioritizing potential evidence, establishing appropriate scene controls, and coordinating effectively with investigators and other personnel.
  • Forensic evidence handling and preservation
    Experience identifying, documenting, collecting, packaging, labeling, preserving, transporting, and maintaining the chain of custody for physical evidence in accordance with forensic standards, agency policies, and applicable legal requirements.
  • Application of forensic examination techniques
    Experience using established forensic techniques to locate, develop, document, collect, and preserve latent fingerprints, DNA and other biological evidence, trace evidence, footwear and tire impressions, firearms and ammunition, toolmarks, and other physical evidence.
  • Forensic documentation, reporting, and testimony
    Experience producing accurate, complete, objective, and legally defensible crime-scene photographs, notes, measurements, sketches, evidence records, and investigative reports, and communicating forensic findings to investigators and providing testimony regarding forensic activities and evidence handling.
  • Safe and legally compliant forensic operations
    Experience performing forensic duties in environments involving biological hazards, firearms, deceased persons, hazardous conditions, and other operational risks while properly using PPE, following contamination-control and safety procedures, maintaining evidence integrity, operating specialized forensic equipment, and complying with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

Licenses and Other Requirements
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver license as required by the agency.
  • Must successfully complete all required pre-employment screening and background requirements.
  • Must maintain required agency training, certifications, competencies, and proficiency standards applicable to assigned duties.
  • Must be able to safely handle firearms when required for forensic examination and evidence-processing purposes.
  • Must be able to work assigned shifts and participate in on-call, emergency call-out, and recall assignments as required.

Standards to Perform Essential Job Functions
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Knowledge of crime scene processing, forensic investigative practices, and the recognition, collection, preservation, packaging, and documentation of physical evidence.
  • Knowledge of forensic photography, latent fingerprint development and preservation, evidence integrity, contamination prevention, and chain-of-custody requirements.
  • Knowledge of forensic occupational hazards, PPE requirements, and safety and exposure-control procedures involving bloodborne pathogens, biological hazards, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.
  • Ability to recognize, evaluate, document, collect, preserve, and process various forms of physical evidence using appropriate forensic techniques.
  • Ability to safely handle firearms, weapons, and other potentially hazardous evidence for forensic purposes.
  • Ability to accurately document crime scenes using photography, measurements, sketches, diagrams, notes, evidence placards, and other approved methods.
  • Ability to operate and learn applicable forensic equipment, digital imaging technology, computers, agency information systems, and evidence-management systems.
  • Ability to analyze information, solve problems, prioritize assignments, maintain attention to detail, and exercise sound independent judgment.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, prepare accurate and objective investigative reports, and provide professional testimony regarding forensic procedures and findings.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and safeguard sensitive investigative, evidentiary, and criminal justice information.
  • Ability to establish effective working relationships and maintain professional composure in stressful, graphic, emotionally difficult, or time-sensitive situations.
  • Ability to work independently, follow applicable laws, policies, procedures, and instructions, and recognize when supervisory guidance or investigative coordination is necessary.

Physical Requirements
The position requires the ability to perform the physical activities necessary to investigate and process crime scenes and evidence. Duties may require prolonged standing, walking, or sitting and frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, and working in confined, elevated, uneven, or otherwise difficult locations.
Employees must possess sufficient manual dexterity to handle evidence and operate cameras, computers, forensic instruments, tools, PPE, and other equipment. The position requires sufficient vision and hearing to observe, document, and safely operate within crime scenes and to communicate effectively in person and through electronic communication devices.
Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment and Occupational Exposure
Work is performed in office, laboratory, evidence-storage, vehicle, indoor crime scene, and outdoor environments. Employees may work during daylight or nighttime hours and in heat, cold, rain, high humidity, severe weather, low-light conditions, and other adverse environmental conditions.
Crime scene assignments may expose employees to uneven or slippery surfaces; ladders and elevated areas; broken glass; sharp objects; fire and accident debris; damaged structures; traffic hazards; loud noise; smoke; dust; dirt; insects; fumes; chemicals; narcotics or suspected controlled substances; firearms and other

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