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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Knowledge

Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security
  • Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visio Hot Technology
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
  • Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
  • Image enhancement software
  • Eos Systems PhotoModeler
  • Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
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