How Do I Become a Crime Scene Photographer? - Requirements, Education & Steps
Here's what it takes to become a professional crime scene photographer, from the educational requirements and the necessary career steps to the salary and the job outlook.
Career Information at a Glance
Using camera equipment, crime scene photographers, sometimes referred to as forensic photographers, document evidence after a crime has occurred. There are several paths to the profession -- some get a degree in photography, while others get into law enforcement first. The chart below will give you a brief snapshot of the career.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Preferred</b></td><td>Associate's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Photography, forensic photography</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td>Detail-oriented, compassion, strong constitution</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td>17% (photographers), 16% (forensic science technicians)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2021)</b></td><td>$50,375**</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoCrimeScenePhotographersDo">What Do Crime Scene Photographers Do?</h3><p>Crime scene photographers take photos of a crime scene, including the layout of the area and any evidence instigators find. The pictures can be used by law enforcement to reconstruct the scene and are often used in court to help prosecutors make their case. Photographs also help preserve the chain of evidence and ensure that everything is handled according to the book by investigators. Because a camera sees the world from a different perspective than the human eye, crime scene photographers must use special techniques to remove that prejudice.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatEducationDoYouNeedToBecomeOne">What Education Do You Need to Become One?</h3><p>The answer depends on how you come into the profession. Some approach it from the photography angle, earning a degree in photography at a 2-year or 4-year college or university and applying to get into the field. Some technical and vocational colleges offer certificates in crime scene photography, which can give aspiring photographers an advantage in the field.
</p><p>Others come at the profession from the law enforcement angle, becoming officers or crime scene investigators first and then picking up the camera.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSkillsDoYouNeedToSucceedInTheField">What Skills Do You Need to Succeed in the Field?</h3><p>Forensic photography is not your typical day job. As a crime scene photographer, you'll be asked to witness tragic, often horrific situations, including murders, suicides and car crashes. Because of this, having a strong mental and physical constitution is important. Also, having an eye for detail is a must -- a small mistake (the wrong angle, missing a key piece of evidence) could mean the difference between cracking a case or not.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchAreCrimeScenePhotographersPaid">How Much Are Crime Scene Photographers Paid?</h3><p>How much can you make as a crime scene photographer? That may depend a fair amount on your experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), forensic science technicians (the overarching title for crime scene investigators) took home a median annual salary of $60,590 in 2020. <i>PayScale.com</i> has more specific salary data for forensic photographers; its reporting suggests a median salary of $50,375 in 2021.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSTheJobOutlookForForensicPhotographers">What's the Job Outlook for Forensic Photographers?</h3><p>Employment for professional photographers is expected to increase by 16% between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS. However, even though they are photographers, crime scene photographers fall into a different category for these purposes because of the nature of the career, so looking at the job outlook for forensic science technicians may give us a more accurate picture. For them, the BLS predicts a rise in employment of 16% during that same time period.</p>