Essential Personality Traits for a CSI (Part 1)

Hi everyone,

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re curious about what it really takes to thrive as a Crime Scene Investigator. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about collecting fingerprints or wearing Tyvek suits. The true core of CSI work lies in your mindset, character, and willingness to handle difficult, high-stakes situations with professionalism and compassion.

Today’s newsletter breaks down the personal characteristics that set successful CSIs apart — the traits I’ve seen again and again in the field, in my students, and in the professionals I’ve trained for over two decades.

Let’s dive in.

— Terri

You Must Be a Problem Solver — Every Scene Depends on It

CSIs are trained to observe, analyze, and interpret. However, great CSIs don’t stop there — they solve problems in real-time.

You’re often the first person tasked with making sense of chaos:

What’s relevant?

What’s out of place?

What needs to be photographed, collected, documented, and preserved?

Problem-solving means you don’t freeze under pressure. You ask questions, think logically, and prioritize actions that protect evidence integrity. Strong CSIs embrace critical thinking as part of their daily routine.

Here’s the reality: once you’re assigned a scene, no one holds your hand.

You may have a partner, or you may be the sole CSI on duty. Either way, you must be comfortable making decisions independently, even when the stakes feel enormous.

You need to:

• Organize your scene

• Determine your evidence collection strategy

• Document every detail

• Maintain chain of custody

• Stand behind your decisions months or years later in court

Students who thrive in my CSI programs are those who take initiative and stay calm when they’re the one in charge.

You Must Be Able to Multitask — Smart Multitasking

Every crime scene moves in fast, unpredictable waves.

You may be:

• Photographing

• Taking notes

• Collecting swabs

• Directing officers

• Managing environmental hazards

• Communicating with detectives …all in the same hour.

Effective CSIs don’t just multitask; they prioritize. They understand what needs immediate attention and what can wait. This is where focus and mental stamina become essential.