Occupation

Police Identification and Records Officers

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

Also Known As: Accident Examiner, Accident Investigator, Accident Reconstructionist, Community Service Officer, Computer Forensic Examiner, Computer Forensic Specialist, Corrections Identification Technician, Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst) +31 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  2. Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  3. Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  4. Testify in court and present evidence.
  5. Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
  6. Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
  7. Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
  8. Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
  9. Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
  10. Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
  11. Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.

Supplemental Tasks (4)

  1. Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
  2. Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  3. Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  4. Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Take fingerprints.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
28%
Bachelor's Degree
26%
Master's Degree
22%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
13%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
8%
Some College Courses
3%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (26)

  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
  • Database software
  • DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
  • Eos Systems PhotoModeler
  • Image enhancement software
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
  • SmartDraw Legal
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
  • Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (71)

  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Automobile door handle removers
  • Axes
  • Biohazard suits
  • Blood collection kits
  • Bolt cutters
  • Breathalyzers
  • Bulletproof vests
  • Camera lens filters
  • Claw hammers
  • Compound light microscopes
  • Crime scene rulers
  • Crime scene tape measures
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Distance measuring wheels
  • Drug testing kits
  • Electronic measuring devices
  • Electrostatic dust lifters
  • Evidence collection scalpels
  • Evidence scissors
  • Evidence tweezers
  • Filter masks
  • Fingerprint brushes
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Fingerprint scanners
  • Footwear protectors
  • Fume hoods
  • Geological compasses
  • Glass evidence vials
  • Hacksaws
  • Handheld digital thermometers
  • Handheld evidence collection computers
  • High wavelength ultraviolet UV light
  • Impression casting kits
  • Infrared light sources
  • Instant print cameras
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser trajectory pointers
  • Low wavelength ultraviolet UV light
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Metal detectors
  • Microscope slides
  • Mobile data computers
  • Orange filter lenses
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Polarized filter lenses
  • Portable lasers
  • Power generators
  • Protective gloves
  • Pry bars
  • Red filter lenses
  • Respirators
  • Ridge counters
  • Safety glasses
  • Shovels
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Telephoto camera lenses
  • Two way radios
  • Utility knives
  • Vise grip pliers
  • Wide angle camera lenses
  • Wire cutters
  • Wood chisels
  • Yellow filter lenses

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Public Safety Financial Services

Zone 3
Police Identification and Records Officers You are here

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Police Identification and Records Officers You are here
Zone 5
Astronomers 79% match

Military & National Security Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Police Identification and Records Officers You are here
Zone 5
Astronomers 79% match

Resume Builder

Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Police Identification and Records Officers positions.

Related Occupations

Show all 20 related occupations

Real Talk

Hear from real Police Identification and Records Officerss about their work: