Many universities offer relevant science courses and the Universities of Auckland and Otago offer forensic science courses. Your expertise will develop through work experience in your specialist field and on-the-job training.

Some roles can only be filled by police officers, but others may be filled by police employees.

Police employee forensic positions

Fingerprint Officers

• May require a degree in science, mathematics or computer studies.
• Qualification is through the Fingerprint Officer five year training programme, coordinated through Police National Headquarters and the Royal New Zealand Police College. A genuine interest and understanding of forensic principles is expected and often science graduates are taken on as trainees.

Behavioural analysts

• Need at least a Masters degree in psychology, with an emphasis on behavioural psychology, and some papers in criminology.

Electronic Crime Analysts

• Trainee positions require at least a Bachelors degree or equivalent, as well as MCP, Network Plus and similar certifications, and relevant industry experience. Trainees enter a structured career development programme to qualify as analysts.

Document Examiners

• Trainee positions require at least a Bachelors degree such as science, including chemistry papers; some have a Masters degree in forensic science.
• Trainees qualify through an in-house structured career training programme.

Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs)

• May have completed a Certificate or Diploma in forensic science.

For more information search university websites, ESR (the Crown Research Institute that carries out forensic service for Police) and Newcops.

Vacancies for trainee and qualified positions are advertised on the Police website.

Forensic positions for police officers only

Forensic photographers

• Have a formal Certificate and Diploma programme
• May have taken courses in the principles of photography.

Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs)

• May have completed a Certificate or Diploma in forensic science.

Serious Crash Investigators

• Need strong mathematics and physics.

Criminal Profilers

• Need a Bachelors degree in psychology (preferably behavioural psychology and some criminology).

Most of the police officers who take up forensic positions have several years experience in a variety of police roles.