Q about crime scenes, detectives, etc

[Spinosity]

Hello,

Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I'm writing a mystery story and have some questions:

1. Would it be possible that an officer on the way up to being a detective would ever be a crime scene photographer on their way up? Or is that a completely separate job? (For example, let's say an officer has been on the job 5, 6 years and now they're working with the detectives in kind of a probationary period before they become a detective. During that probationary period would they ever act as a crime scene photographer?)

2. I've read a lot about professional crime scene cleaners. I understand that they come in to clean the scene after the detectives have determined they've gathered all the evidence they might need (and the body or bodies are removed.) Would a crime scene cleaner be allowed to clean unsupervised (since the detectives are done) or would there still be some officer or PD representative there to keep an eye on the crime scene cleaner for any reason?

Thanks again for any info you might be able to share.
- Rob

[MallMan]

1. I doubt that you would see that happen. It depends on the size of the department a lot of the bigger ones have civilians that take the pictures or someone with the state. Your smaller ones may just have the detectives do it themselves. I have not heard of a crime scene photographer becoming a detective but it could happen if he was a sworn officer.
2.Once the police are done there is not need for them to be there. Usually, cleaners have to go through court or some state agency before they can clean. Sometimes living relatives have to do the cleaning themselves. Just depends.

[Spinosity]

Thanks for your quick reply! You've helped tremendously.

Originally posted by MallMan
1. I doubt that you would see that happen. It depends on the size of the department a lot of the bigger ones have civilians that take the pictures or someone with the state. Your smaller ones may just have the detectives do it themselves. I have not heard of a crime scene photographer becoming a detective but it could happen if he was a sworn officer.
2.Once the police are done there is not need for them to be there. Usually, cleaners have to go through court or some state agency before they can clean. Sometimes living relatives have to do the cleaning themselves. Just depends.

[MallMan]

Your, welcome someone else may want to give you more info. I am not an officer yet that is just a responce from talking to officers over the years. Maybe, a proffesional can ring in and help you a little more.

[Solego]

It all depends on the agency.