Student Crime Scene Certification

The Crime Scene Certification Board (CSCB) of the International Association for Identification (IAI) has put in place a new program whereby students, in a two or four-year college or university, are eligible to take the written portion of the IAI’s Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) examination.

Upon successful passage of that examination the student will be issued a letter of achievement noting they passed the examination, and upon completion of one year of crime scene investigation duties, as an employee of a government agency, will be fully certified as a Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI).

This letter of achievement will be valid for five years from the date it is issued. If the student fails to obtain the necessary experience within five years after successful completion of the written examination, the student competency certification is null and void.

Eligibility for Student Testing

Your educational institution must have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the IAI that outlines certain policies and procedures that must be in place before the educational institution is able to offer the CCSI examination.
Student applicants must have taken at least two crime scene related courses, that include hands on training, and be in the last two years of their educational program; most often that is a junior or senior year of college or university but could also be a student in a two year community college.

Application Procedures

Application forms for those students who meet the eligibility and institutional requirements may be obtained here.

Only students who believe they clearly meet the qualifications, and requirements, and who have studied the required publications for certification should submit applications.
There is an application and testing fee of $100.00 (US) which is NONREFUNDABLE.
Only one set of materials is needed, including a letter of endorsement from the Forensic Science Program Director or Department Head, one (1) recent photograph, a copy of the student's school ID, and a copy of their most current transcript.
Attach a copy of your current Student ID.
Upon completion of one year of crime scene investigation duties, as an employee of a government agency, you will submit the necessary paperwork, the balance of the current certification fees ($50.00 at this time) and upon final approval of all of your paperwork you will be fully certified as a Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) for the remainder of the five years from the date that you received your student certification.

There are additional directions that will be found on the application form itself.

Student applicant procedures are subject to revision by the Crime Scene Certification Board (CSCB). The latest official version is always available from the CSCB Secretary.

Requirements for Knowledge Certification

In addition to the required eligibility listed above the following requirements are in place:

Student applicants must successfully pass the Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) written test with a minimum score of 75%.
- All written tests are graded and recorded on a pass/fail basis only. (Numerical scores are not provided)
- The test questions will be developed from publications selected by the CS CB. The titles will be published on the IAI web site and the CSCB will not change them for a minimum of three years.
- These texts supersede any other material/training provided by the educational institution, practice, or any agency directives for certification testing purposes.
Questions and time
- 200 questions
- Three (3) hour time limit
Location of testing
- To be determined by the CSCB and the Educational Institution

Educational Institution Forms

Test Material Publications (August 1, 2008)

Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI)

Crime Scene Photography by Edward Robinson, 2007, Elsevier Science & Technology Books (Available at: Elsevier.com, Evident Crime Scene Products, Lynn Peavey Company, Amazon.com, LexisNexis.com, Overstock.com (May not have the book all the time))

Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation by Ross M. Gardner, 2005, CRC Press (Available at: CRC Press, Lynn Peavey Company, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, Books-A-Million)

*Please Note: This selection of vendors is only a small representation of the many companies that have the textbooks.

Additional Information

Any educational institution interested in participating in this program, seeking more information, or a copy of the MOU should contact the IAI office at (651) 681-8566 or Curtis Shane, Secretary of the CSCB at (912) 267-2355 or by e-mail.

Educational Institutions with MOU’s