Why do crime scene investigators need guns?

Question

and how much are they paid? --BEST ANSWERS GIVEN--

Answer 1

many reasons, what if while they were investigating the scene a bad guy was hiding in the area, what if someone came back becasue they forgot something, what if on there way back to the station after an ivestigation the witness a crime like another cop getting shot.  All Crime Scene Detectives are first cops then crime scene, labratory people that don't go out in the field are not cops and they don't have guns.

Answer 2

It depends on department policy.  The current trend is to hire civilians for forensic positions such as crime scene investigation.  At my previous job, CSI wasn't armed.  If a CSI wasn't comfortable entering a crime scene, they would call for a police officer.  At major crime scenes, there are plenty of armed officers to provide security.

At my current job, CSIs are the only armed civilians in the department.  But even then its optional.  CSIs don't have to carry guns if they don't want to.

Answer 3

First of all. If you are in England or the UK Crime Scene Investigators do not carry guns you have been watching too much CSI. Secondly. Over in the Uk ITs not CSI its SOCO - Scene Of Crime Officer and they are not police officers they are police staff. They are like PCSO's but the examin the scene of crimes that means they do not have the right to arrest people. Or have any other rights that the police have. If you are in America im unsure how to answer your question.

Sam

Answer 4

Each department have different requirements and standards for their CSI teams. Most agencies do not resemble the CSI you see on TV every night of the week. CSI can be a sworn officer or support staff (tech).

Answer 5

For the same reason that police officers need guns.  The main one being to protect themselves and others.  Many times the person who committed the crime will return to the scene of the crime. Therefor the officers at the scene need to be protected and that means crime scene investigators.  They are still law enforcement officers sworn to take on the duty of protect and serve.

Answer 6

For thier protection, the criminal/criminals may come back to get something they forgot or check to see if anything was found, in that situation the CSI official could be in real danger without the weapon.

Answer 7

Actually, that's mostly TV stuff.

Most Crime Scene Investigators are lab people, not police officers. They are usually civilians who have expertise in the collection and analysis of evidence.

There may be very few CSI people who are actually police officers, but there are very few who fit this catagory.

Answer 8

Because in most cities, they are Police Officers and as such are required to carry a weapon while on duty.

Most depts, like here in NYC, you need to be a street cop for many years prior to getting into the crime scene unit. They are all detectives and police officers and as such, are cops first. Many times their jobs take them to not so good areas and sometimes they investigate scenes after the fact to gather more evidence.

As police officers, carrying a gun is in their job description.

They are paid whatever the job pays. Salaries vary to much from area to area to even begin to make a accurate answer.

Some make make 20,000 while others may make 200,000 in better paid depts in major cities with OT.

Salary also depends on exact title. While in most agencies, they are cops, in some smaller agencies (and on TV) they may be civilians and paid less.

Answer 9

they are officers

Answer 10

They are police officers with extra training and carry guns

The pay varies by State, City and County