So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator (So You Want To Be A...)
About
WINNER of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award
The call comes in at 2 a.m. By the time you arrive, the scene has already begun to change — temperature dropping, evidence shifting, memory fading. In the time it takes to pull on your gloves and cross the tape, you have already begun reading. The position of objects. The absence of things that should be there. The story the scene is trying to tell before anyone has thought to ask the right questions. Crime scene investigation is the discipline that never stops demanding precision — and the investigators who reach the highest level are the ones who never stop looking closer.
So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator takes young readers ages 10-14 inside one of the most rigorous and most consequential careers in law enforcement — not the television version, but the real one. The years of scientific training and methodical field experience that happen long before an investigator works a case that goes to trial. The specific discipline of developing a mind that can move through chaos without disturbing it, document what others overlook, and apply the principles of biology, chemistry, and physics to questions that matter more than almost anything — what happened here, and how do we prove it? The team of forensic specialists, detectives, medical examiners, and prosecutors working in careful coordination so that the evidence collected at a scene becomes the foundation of justice. The investigation that comes together perfectly — and the one that demands you find an answer no one else has thought to look for yet.
This is a book about what crime scene investigators actually do: the evidence collection techniques they execute with a precision so practiced it becomes second nature, the forensic science they apply by understanding how the physical world records every action whether anyone intended it to or not, the documentation discipline they maintain to preserve a chain of custody that can withstand challenge in a courtroom, and the mental steadiness they cultivate to work calmly and carefully when the stakes are highest and the pressure to get it right is absolute. It’s also a book about what the career costs, what it demands, and why the investigators who do this work say that the cases no one else could solve are the reason they never stopped learning.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real crime scene investigator’s training and professional life actually looks like — from forensic science coursework to field work to the specialized disciplines within the field
- The science behind elite forensic investigation — DNA analysis, fingerprint examination, trace evidence, digital forensics, and what separates a thorough investigation from a compromised one
- The mental demands of working at the intersection of science and justice — and how investigators develop the focus, objectivity, and analytical discipline the work requires
- The history of forensic science and the pioneering investigators whose methods transformed criminal justice from witness testimony into evidence-based truth
- What young people can do right now to discover if this might be their calling
Honest, specific, and genuinely illuminating, So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator doesn’t talk down to young readers — it brings them all the way in. Because the child who wants to know what this work is really like deserves a real answer.
For readers who feel the pull toward a career that rewards patience and scientific thinking in equal measure. For the kid who notices what others walk past, who asks how we know.
The tape is up. The scene is waiting.
Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator by Linda Soules is a well-written book capable of inspiring children who want to be crime scene investigators in the future. Linda starts by explaining what a crime scene investigator does, including taking photographs of crime scenes, collecting samples, and fingerprints, among other evidence, while following standard procedures so that the evidence collected is admissible in court. At the lab, some evidence from the crime scene is further analyzed with various scientific instruments and methods. Linda also talks about the equipment crime scene investigators use, the best, worst, and most surprising aspects of their jobs, and the qualities a crime scene investigator possesses.
This book was a lot of fun to read as an adult because it explained the fundamentals of forensics in a simplified way, with respect to the collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence from a crime scene. This book would also be a wonderful way to educate children who want to be crime scene investigators about what it takes to be a CSI. They would also appreciate the advancement of science and how it has helped in solving complex crime cases more efficiently. The illustrations and fun facts were brilliant; they made this book more engaging and visually appealing. The writing is concise, well-paced, organized, and easy for kids to comprehend. Themes featured include teamwork, science, patience, critical thinking, and more. I recommend So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator by Linda Soules to all children aspiring to be crime scene investigators and adults who enjoy reading children's books."
"So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator by Linda Soules is a fascinating and kid-friendly guide for young readers who are curious about forensic science and what crime scene investigators actually do. Instead of giving kids the flashy TV version of CSI work, this book explains the real job in a clear and honest way. Readers learn about photographing crime scenes, collecting fingerprints and samples, documenting evidence, protecting the chain of custody, and making sure everything is handled carefully enough to hold up in court.
What makes this kids book especially interesting is how well it connects science to real life. DNA analysis, fingerprint examination, trace evidence, bloodstain patterns, and lab work are all explained in a way that feels easy to understand without being boring or watered down. The book also shows that crime scene investigation is not just about finding clues. It takes patience, focus, teamwork, critical thinking, and the ability to stay calm when the pressure is high.
The detailed illustrations and fun facts add a lot to the reading experience. They make the information more engaging and give young readers something to look at and really imagine the job. I also liked that the book talks about different kinds of forensic work, the history of forensic science, and even the emotional side of the job. The book states, “Crime scenes are places where something bad has happened…” That honesty helps kids get a fuller picture of the career, including both the exciting parts and the serious responsibilities.
This is a great choice for children who are interested in science or future careers in crime scene investigation. It’s organized, informative, encouraging, and has extra resources that help kids keep learning after they finish the book. So You Want To Be A Crime Scene Investigator is not only useful for young readers, but also enjoyable for adults who like learning about forensic science in a simple and engaging way."
"Linda Soules's Crime Scene Investigator stands out as a career guide that meets young readers on their level while refusing to dumb down the science. Brisk, honest, and free of thriller gloss, it suits curious kids ten to twelve and the adults guiding them.
The book invites curiosity with a clear, respectful tone that never talks down to its audience. It explains field and lab work, why evidence cannot be replaced once disturbed, and how DNA, fibers, and fingerprints tie to chemistry and biology classes. Cases such as the Atlanta fiber evidence make the science feel immediate without sensationalism. Parents will value the honesty about emotional strain, long waits, and science that can free the wrongly accused. Hands-on activities, a glossary, and reading lists finish a capable, well-rounded career guide.
The writing carries energy and vivid metaphor that most fifth graders can follow with ease. The tone meets young readers eye to eye, and the TV-myth busting is a genuine highlight. Share it aloud or let curious readers explore the illustrations first; either way, the series invitation works beautifully.
For curious, methodical readers, this title earns a lasting place on the shelf. It treats forensic work as real science with real stakes, honoring both the patience the job demands and the quiet courage behind every carefully logged photograph. That respect is exactly what future investigators need to hear before they ever step into a room wearing gloves."
"Even though this book is obviously for older children, as an adult I really enjoyed it. I learned new things like who the "mother of forensic science" was and how her contribution is still used today, where the word forensic originated from, and what forensic linguists can do. The book really highlights the importance of a CSI and the traits a person displays which might make them good at the job. This author found a way to make something informative while at the same time making it fun by including pictures and examples. I think my favorite part of the book though was the list of things children can do to practice CSI techniques: memorizing where things are in their room and then changing things to see what was removed, playing with fingerprints and observing them, and writing things down in detail so that others can imagine what it would be like to be in that setting. I might just read another one!"
"This book is fantastic for a young person to read. I especially love how the author does a timeline of a day in the life. Plus the graphics are great and so detailed."
"I love watching crime procedurals and if I had this book when I was young, I would have been in the field of forensic science today. I like how the author doesn’t gloss over any aspect of the job but rather gives her honest perspective on what makes one a good fit for the job. Moreover, I find the section where the author breaks down the daily life of a CSI, from being called to the crime scene to going back to the lab and documenting everything, particularly insightful and informative. That part alone could help young readers decide if it’s something they would want to do in the future. I would definitely recommend this book for young readers interested in a career in forensics."
"This book is a great read for aspiring crime scene investigators. It lays out everything from what's required in the profession, to what can be expected during a day in the life of a CSI, to pioneers in the field of crime scene investigation. The author lays out what kids need to know in easily digestible bites, while at the same time making the book accessible for adults as well."
"I liked this book a lot. It shows you different things that crime scene investigators have to do and learn to investigate. From finger printing to shoe print analytics. This book also goes over some fun facts about people who started investigations as we know them today. If you are interested in this science field of work or are trying to show your youngster something new and interesting you should show them this book. The images in the book are also clear and well done. 5 stars!"
"I picked this book up out of interest and to be truthful, I found it extremely interesting. The topic of crime scene investigation was delivered and explained in a clear, uncomplicated and not at all boring way. The illustrations/examples helped a lot to convey the points and I found it to be great as they covered both sides of the coin as it was talking about the scientific aspect but the other 'real life' aspect. An interesting, understandable and throughout engaging read. Well worth picking up for kids or even anybody who would find the idea of crime scene investigation or forensic science interesting."
"This was such an interesting book! It was age appropriate for young audiences as well, which I appreciated. It mentions crime scenes as places where bad things have happened but doesn’t get into any gruesome details. It actually talks about the science of the job a lot and stays very factual while still being fun to read. The day in the life gives an example schedule of a typical day and talks about working closely with detectives and others in the field. The best and hardest parts of the job are told, and in an age-appropriate manner."
"Detailed and clearly explained, this book is a treasure for kids wanting to be a CSI. Even practicing how to be observant is included. Go for it!"