Police Identification and Records Officers

Also called: Accident Examiner, Accident Investigator, Accident Reconstructionist, Community Service Officer, Computer Forensic Examiner

Police Identification and Records Officers

Varies

estimated salary

Police identification and records officers collect evidence at crime scenes, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

  • Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  • Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  • Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  • Testify in court and present evidence.
  • Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
  • Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
  • Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
  • Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
  • Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
  • Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
  • Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.
  • Interview victims, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
  • Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  • Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  • Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 87% responded "Extremely important".
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 88% responded "Very important results".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 87% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 87% responded "Extremely important".
  • Telephone — 72% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 82% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Document legal or regulatory information.
  • Write operational reports.
  • Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
  • Use databases to locate investigation details or other information.
  • Analyze crime scene evidence.
  • Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to share information.
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