FAQs

Please see below answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Do you take private students?

We offer training to personnel attached to national and international law enforcement agencies. Unfortunately, our Forensic Training courses are not avaliable to members of the public.

Do you offer student or work placements?

We are a training provider for police forces and not a Research Institute. Consequently, we regret that we are unable to engage in student or work placements at this time.

I am interested in pursuing a career in Crime Scene Investigation; please could you advise which subjects would be beneficial?

Careers Advisors should be able to provide you with a list of Universities that offer degrees in Crime Scene Investigation. The entry requirements for this role vary between different police forces and many will appoint staff with life experience as opposed to Higher Education. Be cautious of those Universities offering degree courses with the word 'Forensic' in the title. There is no guarantee that your qualification will lead you into the field of Forensic Investigation. UK Forensic Analysis providers often prefer a pure science qualification such as Chemistry or Biology. NPIA does not employ Crime Scene Investigators, we provide a training portfolio for persons employed in this role by Police Forces and other investigation bodies. The Department for Educational Support offer advice on this career through their website connexions.

I am currently studying an HND in forensic science, and would like to become a Scene of Crime Officer. What do I do next?

Forensic Science is a popular subject, but will not guarantee future employment in this field. You should identify the qualifications needed by a police force if you wish to pursue this career option. However, a relevant HND level should help you understand many aspects of the role.

I am interested in becoming a Crime Scene Investigator. Are there any job vacancies within NPIA?

Instructor vacancies are advertised directly to police forces and in other recognised publications. Our teaching staff are required to demonstrate good practical experience in the role they teach. A teaching qualification must be achieved prior to, or within a fixed period of time after appointment. The role involves overseas training and applicants must be prepared to consider periods working off-site.

What are the entrance criteria to become a Crime Scene Investigator?

This will vary from force to force. The growth of CSI degrees in the UK are providing a graduate workforce in this subject, but like policing itself, a variety of non-academic skills and talents are needed. This career now attracts a lot of interest as a result of TV spin offs. This is not a glamorous job! Applicants must be prepared to work unsociable hours, and night-time callouts to major incidents can disrupt family life. The locations and working conditions are sometimes unpleasant. You will be dealing with people's loss and tragedy as part of your working day. If you can cope with all this, it can be a professionally satisfying career. People who possess good observational skills and attention to fine detail can be suited to this type of work. The main skills such as photography and trace evidence recovery can be achieved by instruction.