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Police Identification & Records Officers

Also called: Crime Scene Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Criminalist, Forensic Specialist

What they do:
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
On the job, you would:
  • Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  • Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  • Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes and in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.

Knowledge

Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
  • law and government
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service
  • administrative services
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • order or arrange things
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
Data base user interface and query software
  • DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$71,770
per year, on average
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