Police Identification & Records Officers
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- 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.
- Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
- Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
- Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
- Package, store and retrieve evidence.
- Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
- Take fingerprints.
- Perform emergency work during off-hours.
- Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
- Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
- Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
- Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.
- Use drone technology for aerial photography and videography of crime scenes.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
94%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
88%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
87%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
84%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
84%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
81%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
81%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
75%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
73%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
69%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
69%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
67%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
66%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
66%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
65%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
64%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
61%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
60%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
59%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
57%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
56%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
55%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
54%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
54%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
53%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
53%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
52%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
50%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
50%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
49%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
49%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
47%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
44%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
42%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
42%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
38%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
38%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
35%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
35%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
34%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
34%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
32%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
31%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
30%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
30%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
30%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
29%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
26%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
23%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
20%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
19%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
14%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
10%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
10%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
7%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
6%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
6%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Interests
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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