Confessions of a Rookie Crime Scene Investigator, an Introduction

I always get the same question:
“What made you want to do this job?!”

Among the bragging rights and the true-crime obsession, what does drive someone to do this kind of work? The pay is… meh. The stress? Off the charts. And the responsibility? It’s like carrying a boulder of liability on your shoulders every single day.

But here’s the thing — we love it. Every second of it.

Despite the chaos, the long hours, and the emotional rollercoaster, there’s a deep satisfaction in knowing that what we do matters. When friends tell me they wish their jobs felt as “important” as mine, I totally get what they mean. It is a little intimidating knowing your work could make or break a case. But when all those long hours lead to a breakthrough — when a fingerprint or a piece of evidence helps catch a suspect — that feeling is indescribable.

I’m still new to the field, but I’ve been working in law enforcement for over six years now. I started back in 2019 as a police records specialist, buried in public records requests and endless paperwork. Not glamorous, but it was a foot in the door. I worked full-time while also going to school full-time (coffee was my best friend). In 2020, I graduated Magna Cum Laude (bragging rights) with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Anthropology.

After graduation, I moved into a digital evidence role — first as a specialist, then as a supervisor. That meant hours reviewing and redacting body-worn camera footage, managing video uploads, and coordinating with detectives and attorneys. It wasn’t crime scenes yet, but it gave me a real appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that helps cases move forward. I would occasionally do ride-alongs with the Crime Scene Unit to get my fix every now and then.

Then last year, I finally got my shot. I got the amazing opportunity to start my career as a Crime Scene Technician, and I’ve been doing it for about ten months now. Every day, I’m learning something new — and realizing just how much I don’t know yet (which is honestly terrifying).

So that’s why I started this blog. I want to share the real, unfiltered side of what it’s like to be the “rookie” in crime scene investigations — the lessons, the mistakes, the moments of awe, and yes, the dark humor that keeps us sane.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be behind the yellow tape, come along for the ride. I’ll be sharing stories, insights, and probably a few “you won’t believe this” moments from life as a new CSI.

Welcome to my world.

— S