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33-3021.02 - Police Identification and Records Officers


Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
116,700
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
115,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
-1,400
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-1.2%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
  • Testify in court and present evidence.
  • Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
  • Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
  • Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  • Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  • Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  • 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.
  • Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
  • Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
Supplemental
  • Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  • Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  • Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
  • Interview victims, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Law and Government
  • 94%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 English Language
  • 74%
    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
  • 73%
    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.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 68%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Clerical
  • 63%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Chemistry
  • 57%
    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 Education and Training
  • 56%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Mathematics
  • 56%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Psychology
  • 54%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
 Administration and Management
  • 51%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Cameras
  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Instant print cameras
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Vise grip pliers
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Automobile door handle removers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Straight screwdrivers
 Agriculture, forestry and garden handtools
  • Axes
  • Shovels
 Safety apparel
  • Biohazard suits
  • Bulletproof vests
  • Protective gloves
 Clinical forensics equipment and supplies
  • Blood collection kits
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Bolt cutters
  • Hacksaws
  • Utility knives
  • Wire cutters
 Security and control equipment
  • Breathalyzers
  • Drug testing kits
 Camera accessories
  • Camera lens filters
  • Orange filter lenses
  • Polarized filter lenses
  • Red filter lenses
  • Telephoto camera lenses
  • Wide angle camera lenses
  • Yellow filter lenses
 Forming tools
  • Claw hammers
 Viewing and observing instruments and accessories
  • Compound light microscopes
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Crime scene rulers
  • Distance measuring wheels
  • Electronic measuring devices
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Crime scene tape measures
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Mobile data computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Forensic equipment and supplies and accessories
  • Electrostatic dust lifters
  • Fingerprint brushes
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Impression casting kits
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Ridge counters
 Laboratory implements
  • Evidence collection scalpels
  • Evidence scissors
  • Evidence tweezers
 Respiratory protection
  • Filter masks
  • Respirators
 Computer data input devices
  • Fingerprint scanners
  • Handheld evidence collection computers
 Safety footwear
  • Footwear protectors
 Laboratory enclosures and accessories
  • Fume hoods
 Geophysical and geotechnical instruments
  • Geological compasses
 General laboratory glassware and plasticware and supplies
  • Glass evidence vials
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Handheld digital thermometers
 Lamps and lightbulbs
  • High wavelength ultraviolet UV light
  • Infrared light sources
  • Low wavelength ultraviolet UV light
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Laser trajectory pointers
  • Portable lasers
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Metal detectors
 Laboratory microscope slides and supplies
  • Microscope slides
 Power generators
  • Power generators
 Prying and bending tools
  • Pry bars
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Safety glasses
 Personal communication devices
  • Two way radios
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Wood chisels
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Computer aided composite drawing software
  • DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
  • DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
  • Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
  • Eos Systems PhotoModeler
  • Image enhancement software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
  • Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
  • Word processing software
 Data management and query software
  • Database software
  • DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • National Crime Information Center NCIC database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
 Operating environment software
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Network applications software
  • Web browser software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Product/Equipment
  • IBM Certified Solutions Specialist - i2 COPLINK Detect V4.x
    1133 Westchester Avenue White Plains, NY 10604404-238-1234 (outside U.S.)

  • IBM Certified Analyst - i2 Analyst's Notebook V8.9
    1133 Westchester Avenue White Plains, NY 10604404-238-1234 (outside U.S.)

 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
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