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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.
 Power generators
  • Power generators
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Utility knives
  • Wire cutters
  • Bolt cutters
  • Hacksaws
 Forming tools
  • Claw hammers
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Automobile door handle removers
 Measuring and layout tools
  • Crime scene tape measures
 Rough and finishing tools
  • Wood chisels
 Agriculture, forestry and garden handtools
  • Shovels
  • Axes
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Vise grip pliers
 Prying and bending tools
  • Pry bars
 Lamps and lightbulbs
  • Infrared light sources
  • High wavelength ultraviolet UV light
  • Low wavelength ultraviolet UV light
 Laboratory enclosures and accessories
  • Fume hoods
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Crime scene rulers
  • Electronic measuring devices
  • Distance measuring wheels
 Viewing and observing instruments and accessories
  • Compound light microscopes
 Indicating and recording instruments
  • Metal detectors
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Handheld digital thermometers
 Geophysical and geotechnical instruments
  • Geological compasses
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Laser trajectory pointers
  • Portable lasers
 General laboratory glassware and plasticware and supplies
  • Glass evidence vials
 Laboratory implements
  • Evidence collection scalpels
  • Evidence scissors
  • Evidence tweezers
 Laboratory microscope slides and supplies
  • Microscope slides
 Clinical forensics equipment and supplies
  • Blood collection kits
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
 Personal communication devices
  • Two way radios
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Mobile data computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
 Computer data input devices
  • Fingerprint scanners
  • Handheld evidence collection computers
 Cameras
  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Instant print cameras
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital video cameras
 Camera accessories
  • Camera lens filters
  • Orange filter lenses
  • Polarized filter lenses
  • Red filter lenses
  • Telephoto camera lenses
  • Wide angle camera lenses
  • Yellow filter lenses
 Security and control equipment
  • Breathalyzers
  • Drug testing kits
 Forensic equipment and supplies and accessories
  • Fingerprint brushes
  • Fingerprint evidence kits
  • Magnifying glasses
  • Ridge counters
  • Electrostatic dust lifters
  • Impression casting kits
 Safety apparel
  • Bulletproof vests
  • Protective gloves
  • Biohazard suits
 Safety footwear
  • Footwear protectors
 Vision protection and accessories
  • Safety glasses
 Respiratory protection
  • Filter masks
  • Respirators
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.
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 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 VisioHOT
  • SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
  • The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
  • Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
  • Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
 Data management and query software
  • DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
  • Database software
  • Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • National Crime Information Center NCIC database
  • National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
 Network applications software
  • Web browser software
 Operating environment software
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
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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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
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
 Programs
Germanna Community College
 Programs
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
 Programs
Northern Virginia Community College
 Programs
Paul D. Camp Community College
 Programs
Rappahannock Community College
 Programs
Southside Virginia Community College
 Programs
Tidewater Community College
 Programs
Virginia Highlands Community College
 Programs
Virginia Peninsula Community College
 Programs
Virginia Western Community College
 Programs
Wytheville Community College
 Programs
Jobs
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Jobs related to this career may be found on Indeed.com or on the Google Job Search page.