What do police identification and records officers do?
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
- Crime Scene Technician
- Criminalist
- Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)
- Field Identification Specialist
- Forensic Specialist
- Identification Technician (Identification Tech)
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
- Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- Testify in court and present evidence.
- Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
- Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
- Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
- Package, store and retrieve evidence.
- Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
- Take fingerprints.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
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