Crime Scene Investigator
Recruitment
What police forces ask for in crime scene investigator adverts, how selection works, the College of Policing's two-stage CSI training, on-call and pay, from three current adverts and official careers information.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 18 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Apply to a force's forensic or scientific services department when it advertises. A forensic degree is not always required: entry requirements in current adverts range from GCSEs in English, science and maths (Thames Valley tier 1) to a science degree or equivalent experience (Cheshire level 2). A full driving licence is essential. Selection is a competency application and interview, sometimes with an assessment centre. Training follows the College of Policing's CSI learning programme, stage 1 then stage 2, typically over 6 to 12 months.
The role
Crime scene investigators (CSIs, also called scenes of crime officers) are police staff who examine scenes and recover evidence: fingerprints, DNA, footwear marks, fibres and photographs, then record and package it so it can be used in court. Most of the work is volume crime such as burglaries and vehicle crime, with serious and major crime for more experienced CSIs. Our CSI pay and role guide covers the job in more depth.
Entry requirements
- Education. It varies by force and level. Thames Valley says a degree or qualification in forensics is not essential, and asks for GCSEs (A to C or 4 to 9) in English, science and maths at tier 1. Hampshire asks for level 3 in chemistry, biology or another relevant science, or comparable work experience. Cheshire's level 2 post asks for a degree in a science-related subject or equivalent relevant experience.
- Driving. Essential in every advert we read. Thames Valley specifies a full manual licence; Cheshire makes appointment subject to passing a police driving test.
- Eyesight. Thames Valley asks for good eyesight, with or without correction.
- Vetting. Cheshire's post requires enhanced or management vetting.
- Wellbeing. Hampshire has mandatory psychological screening, and Cheshire mandatory annual psychological support, because of exposure to distressing scenes.
- Elimination samples. Cheshire takes DNA and fingerprint elimination samples on appointment, so your own traces can be ruled out at scenes.
Three current adverts compared
| Force and post | Education and essentials | Selection and training | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thames Valley: Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Forensic (closes 25 October 2026) | Tier 1: GCSEs (A to C / 4 to 9) in English, science and maths; full manual driving licence essential; good eyesight (with or without correction) | One-page cover letter and two-page CV; assessment centre on 17 and 19 November 2026, then interviews. Tier 2 needs the CSI stage 2 learning programme | Tier 1 Band 3F circa £32,339 plus 15% shift allowance (the advert header gives a different figure); higher bands at tiers 2 and 3 |
| Cheshire: Crime Scene Investigator Level 2 (closes 20 October 2026) | Degree (level 6) in a science-related subject or equivalent relevant experience; full UK driving licence (mandatory); enhanced or management vetting | Accredited CSI stage 1 and stage 2 courses within 12 months; appointment subject to passing a police driving test | Scale 6, £33,603 to £35,772 |
| Hampshire and Isle of Wight: Crime Scene Investigator, Shanklin (closes 25 October 2026) | Level 3 in chemistry, biology or another relevant science, or comparable work experience; full UK driving licence essential | Competency-based application and interview (STAR); call-out once trained to level 2; mandatory psychological screening | £30,333 to £39,276 |
Selection
The application is usually competency-based. Hampshire asks for competency evidence in STAR format; Thames Valley asks instead for a one-page cover letter and a CV of no more than two pages, so read the advert's instructions carefully.
Some forces use an assessment centre. Thames Valley's current advert says shortlisted candidates must be available for an assessment centre on 17 and 19 November 2026, after which successful candidates are invited to interview. The advert does not say what the exercises are, and we have not found an official description of CSI assessment centre exercises, so we do not describe them. The interview itself is competency and values based, as for other police staff roles.
Panels for specialist roles look for genuine understanding of the job. Read the force's CSI careers page, understand the difference between volume and serious crime work, know what the College of Policing's stage 1 and 2 training covers, and be ready to talk about the less glamorous parts: paperwork, repetition, on-call and distressing scenes.
Training: the College of Policing CSI programme
CSI training follows the College of Policing's licensed CSI learning programme, which has two stages. Stage 1 (volume and priority crime) "enables practitioners to operate independently at volume and priority crime scenes"; stage 2 (serious and complex crime) covers major and complex scenes. The College's schedule says stage 1 is a prerequisite for stage 2.
Force timescales: Thames Valley describes a six to twelve month training pathway guided by an experienced tutor, with an external residential course; Cheshire expects stage 1 and stage 2 courses to be completed within 12 months of starting; the National Careers Service says initial training can take 6 to 12 months. Pay often rises with stage: Thames Valley's tier 2 and its higher pay follow completion of stage 2.
Hours, on-call and pay
Thames Valley's CSI hours run between 07:30 and 23:00 with an on-call system for major crime, and on-call is required from tier 2; its tier 1 shift document is an eight-week rota averaging 37 hours. Cheshire covers 08:00 to 22:00 plus night on-call. Hampshire's call-out starts once you are fully trained to level 2.
Published pay: Hampshire £30,333 to £39,276; Cheshire £33,603 to £35,772 (level 2); Thames Valley tier 1 circa £32,339 plus a 15% shift allowance in the advert text (the advert header shows a different figure, so check the current advert), with higher bands and allowances at tiers 2 and 3.
Interview questions to prepare
These are written by PolicePay. They are not real or recalled questions from any force.
1. Tell us about a time your attention to detail made a difference.
We analyse critically: evidence recovery depends on noticing and recording small things.
2. Describe a time you followed a strict procedure where a shortcut would have been quicker.
We take ownership: contamination and continuity rules protect evidence.
3. Give an example of when you worked alone and had to make your own decisions.
Independent judgement at scenes.
4. Tell us about a time you explained something technical to someone without that background.
Communication with officers, victims and in court statements.
5. Describe how you have coped with something upsetting at work or in your studies.
We are emotionally aware: scenes can be distressing, and forces screen for wellbeing.
6. Tell us about a time you had to deal sensitively with someone who had been a victim of crime or a loss.
Respect and empathy: CSIs often work in victims' homes.
7. Why do you want to be a CSI, and what do you think the job is really like?
Realistic expectations: most work is volume crime, not TV.
Examples from laboratory work, science study, photography, quality control, healthcare or any job with strict procedures and careful records work well. Show method, care and honesty about mistakes.
How to prepare
- Check the education requirement for the level advertised and that you hold a full driving licence.
- Follow the application instructions exactly (STAR answers, or a cover letter and CV of set lengths).
- Read the force's CSI careers page and the College of Policing's stage 1 and 2 programme outline.
- Prepare examples of attention to detail, following procedure, working alone and coping with upsetting situations.
- Be ready to talk honestly about on-call, shift work and the emotional side of the job.
What we could not verify
- The content of any CSI assessment centre (practical scene exercise, photography or written tests).
- A colour vision standard specifically for CSIs.
- The length and venue of the College's stage 1 and stage 2 courses; the schedule gives no length.
- The College's CSI professional profile, which needs a College Learn login.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to be a police CSI?
Not always. Thames Valley says a degree or qualification in forensics is not essential, and its tier 1 entry asks for GCSEs in English, science and maths. Hampshire asks for level 3 in a relevant science or comparable experience. Cheshire's level 2 post asks for a science degree or equivalent relevant experience. Check each advert.
Do CSIs need a driving licence?
Yes, in every advert we read. Thames Valley says a full manual licence is essential, Hampshire and Cheshire require a full UK licence, and Cheshire's appointment is subject to passing a police driving test. The National Careers Service also says you will usually need a driving licence.
How long does CSI training take?
The National Careers Service says initial training can take between 6 and 12 months, and Thames Valley describes a six to twelve month pathway with a tutor and an external residential course. Training follows the College of Policing's licensed CSI learning programme: stage 1 for volume and priority crime scenes, then stage 2 for serious and complex scenes.
Is there a colour vision test for CSIs?
We could not confirm one from an official source. Thames Valley's CSI job description asks for good eyesight (with or without correction) and does not mention colour vision. Leicestershire's general police staff medical checks colour vision for staff roles. Ask the force if you have a colour vision deficiency.
Do CSIs work on call?
Often, once trained. Thames Valley requires on-call availability from tier 2; Hampshire's call-out applies once fully trained to level 2; Cheshire's role covers 08:00 to 22:00 plus night on-call.
What is the CSI assessment centre like?
Forces do not publish the exercises. Thames Valley's current advert says shortlisted candidates attend an assessment centre on 17 and 19 November 2026 before interviews, without describing it. We do not guess at the content.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 18 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Thames Valley Police: Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Forensic advert and job description C442 : tiers, GCSEs, licence, eyesight, cover letter and CV, assessment centre dates, pay, on-call from tier 2 (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Thames Valley Police: Crime Scene Investigation careers page : degree not essential; six to twelve month training pathway with tutor and residential course; hours (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Cheshire Constabulary: Crime Scene Investigator Level 2 advert and role profile : science degree or experience; licence and police driving test; stage 1 and 2 within 12 months; vetting; hours and on-call; pay (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary: Crime Scene Investigator (HIOWC457) advert : level 3 science or experience; licence; call-out at level 2; psychological screening; STAR; pay (accessed 18 October 2026)
- College of Policing: CSI learning programme schedule PL-C-116 (v5.0, July 2023, PDF) : stage 1 volume and priority crime; stage 2 serious and complex; stage 1 prerequisite for stage 2 (accessed 18 October 2026)
- National Careers Service: Scenes of crime officer : driving licence usually needed; 6 to 12 months' initial training; on-call (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Leicestershire Police: police staff recruitment process : staff medical includes a colour vision check (accessed 18 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
More in this guide series
Practice, pay and roles
Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any police force, the College of Policing or the Police Staff Council. Recruitment processes, tests, pay and eligibility are set by each force and change, so always check the current advert and candidate pack for the force you are applying to. Practice questions, example answers and exercises on this site are original PolicePay material, not real or recalled test or interview content. Details are as checked on 18 October 2026.