WANTED: Citizen CSIs
Albuquerque police now accepting applications for its Citizen CSI Academy

September 14, 2010

Instead of watching the CBS hit television show CSI from a couch this Fall, New Mexicans can see the real thing in person.

The Albuquerque Police Department is now accepting applications for its Citizen CSI Academy. The academy, “Introduction to APD CSI,” meets Tuesday evenings starting Oct. 5 and lasts 10 weeks. APD will be filling 25 seats for the class.

“The course is a good opportunity for people to see what it’s like to be a real Crime Scene Investigator,” said Albuquerque Police Commander Paul Feist, who oversees the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center. “There are so many myths out there about crime scene investigations. This academy clears those myths up for people who are serious about being real CSIs.”

The course is designed for people who are interested in a career in forensic science. Applicants must be 18 years old, in good physical health, submit to a background check and have their own camera.

The course will provide a comprehensive overview and hands-on applications to many of the forensic disciplines used in crime scene investigations.

Albuquerque police officers as well as forensic scientists from the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center will facilitate the course.

The course if the only one of its kind offered in the country that is designed for the general public. Unlike a Citizens Police Academy this course is devoted to Crime Scene Investigations.

The class meets once a week on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.. The course, which is free, will be taught at the Metropolitan Forensic Science Center, 5350 Second Street NW. The application deadline is Sept 27, 2010. People interested in the course can apply online here. For more information click here.