Do you have a keen eye for details and an investigative mind-set?
Are you able to think laterally and apply your training and experience to a range of complex situations?
Do you have strong personal resilience and a willingness to be exposed to human trauma on a regular basis?
Are you also willing to work half your weekends, work late shifts and be on call overnight occasionally? If so, you may be suitable to commence a challenging and rewarding career as a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) and have the privilege of enabling justice for victims of crime.
CSI is an exciting role at the forefront of criminal investigations. You will work within a team of positive, likeminded people who are focussed on providing justice for victims of crime. You will have autonomy to attend crime scenes on your own, manage your own time and determine strategies for recovering forensic evidence.
Our highly skilled team of CSIs attend scenes for the full array of crimes from burglary to murder. They use initiative to apply their training and experience to interpret scenes and reconstruct complex sequences of events in order to hone in on vital forensic evidence and intelligence, with which to identify offenders and bring them to justice. They also use specialist equipment and techniques to record crime scenes and capture evidence for further analysis and presentation at court.
A typical day will involve examining scenes of burglary and downloading mobile phones for digital evidence, but they are always ready to deploy to the most heinous of crimes with a moment’s notice. You will cover the whole of the South West region and work regularly in neighbouring force areas.
CSIs make a difference by bringing logic and order to chaotic crime scenes, working alongside other experts and specialists in order to capitalise upon all available evidence and working closely with police investigation teams to facilitate the successful prosecution of offenders. CSIs also support victims of crime directly by providing reassurance and crime prevention advice. The regional CSI team plays a pivotal role in bringing offenders to court, for providing justice to victims of crime and for making communities safer across the South West of England.
In this role, your Main Responsibilities will be:
- Taking responsibility for gathering information from relevant sources to ascertain the circumstances of incidents.
- Conducting risk assessments of scenes and forensic evidence and to ensure that all safety precautions are taken and documented.
- Attending volume, serious and major crime scenes to conduct scientific investigations with the objective of identifying, recording, and recovering potentially valuable physical, trace and digital forensic evidence and intelligence information.
- Obtaining appropriate sample materials from persons for further examination, elimination and recording purposes in accordance with documented procedures.
- Accurately maintaining comprehensive computer and written records, to record activity, track exhibits, to meet departmental and statutory requirements relating to the storage and retention of physical evidence and information.
- Ensuring that contact with members of the public positively contributes to providing customer satisfaction and confidence in the police service.
- Providing relevant crime prevention advice in order to contribute to the reduction of crime.
Skills, Experience and Qualifications required:
- You must hold a full current driving licence
- The role holder must complete Stage 1 and 2 of the College of Policing CSI Learning Programme within a reasonable timeframe. There may be additional requirements to attend and successfully complete other training courses and events linked to ongoing proficiency in order to maintain professional competency. Failure to pass these courses may result in the termination of contract.
- You must be trained to the accredited national standards as a Crime Scene Investigator (Stage 1) or have an A Level in science (or equivalent) with experience of employment within an investigative or scientific role.
- You must also have experience of making and maintaining Restricted records (written and computer) and a good understanding of legislation governing information security.
- You should have experience of gathering and analysing data and will demonstrate excellent attention to detail and accuracy with a good understanding of the importance of integrity and continuity within Criminal Justice.
- You must have good interpersonal skills and have experience of communicating face to face and over the telephone.
- You must have experience of dealing effectively with a diverse range of people and have the ability to present facts and opinions accurately, clearly, and concisely in both written and oral formats.
Additional Information:
Interviews with assessment will be held week commencing 20th April 2026.
This role can be based at either Bridgwater Police Station or Kenneth Steel House Police Station Bristol, Avon and Somerset Police.
We currently have 1 vacancy available, if you successfully pass the process but aren't selected for this vacancy you will become a reserve applicant, and we would like to retain your application if further vacancies arise for the same role in a 12 month period. These vacancies could be based anywhere within the Avon and Somerset or Wiltshire Police Force areas.
Commencing salary for the Avon and Somerset role is scale 6 (£33,603 - £35,772) however there is opportunity to increase to SO1 (£37,020 - £39,276). In order to progress from pay scale 6 to SO1, you will be required to demonstrate you have met a set of core competencies outlined within the competency framework and provide evidence of taking on additional responsibilities.
This post attracts allowances - Shift Allowance at 12.5%, Weekend Working Enhancement and On Call Standby Payments.
This role requires you to wear a uniform which must be worn at all times whilst on duty.
To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 3 year ‘checkable history’ in the UK – ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
Work on a bank or public holiday as part of the normal working week will be compensated in line with conditions of service.
