Occupation · SOC 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.
Median wage
$93,580
$54,160–$159,410
Projected growth
-0.7%
Declining
Annual openings
-80
per year
Employed (US)
110,790
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
500 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningTime ManagementInstructingCoordinationSystems AnalysisService OrientationPersuasionOperations MonitoringNegotiationLearning StrategiesOperation and ControlSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsTroubleshootingTechnology DesignScienceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations AnalysisEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Law and GovernmentEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeChemistryEducation and TrainingMathematicsPsychologyAdministration and ManagementPhysicsBiologyComputers and ElectronicsSociology and AnthropologyEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaGeographyTransportationPhilosophy and TheologyProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingTherapy and CounselingFine ArtsBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingDesignFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe PhotoshopComputer aided composite drawing softwareDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeSceneDatabase softwareDeChant Consulting Services iWitnessDesignWare 3D EyeWitnessDigital Image Management Solutions Crime SceneEos Systems PhotoModelerImage enhancement softwareIntegrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFISLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) databaseNational Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBINSmartDraw LegalThe CAD Zone The Crime ZoneTrancite Logic Systems ScenePDVisual Statement Vista FX3 CSIWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsWorking with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAnalyzing Data or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsControlling Machines and ProcessesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Crime and accident scene photographs — capture using department-issued cameras under direct supervision to create initial evidence records.Evidence logs and basic incident reports — complete using standardized forms under supervisor review in a law enforcement records unit.Collected evidence packages — label, seal, and deliver to designated supervisors or intake areas following established chain-of-custody protocols.Latent fingerprint dusting techniques — apply to selected surfaces at controlled practice scenes under the guidance of a senior identification officer.Trace evidence types such as hairs, fibers, and shoe impressions — recognize and flag for collection during supervised crime scene walkthroughs.Protective equipment including gloves, masks, and coveralls — don and use correctly before entering any crime scene or autopsy environment.Evidence storage systems and retrieval logs — navigate and update using department database software under step-by-step instruction.Office suite and word processing software — use to draft preliminary field notes and supporting documentation in a records office setting.Oral briefings on scene observations — deliver clearly to supervising officers following a structured reporting format.Departmental public safety and legal regulations — read and apply basic provisions when handling evidence in routine, supervised assignments.
developing
Crime scene and autopsy photographs — plan, compose, and capture systematically with minimal oversight to document evidence for court-admissible records.Evidence reports and chain-of-custody documentation — write, review, and maintain with accuracy in a busy law enforcement records environment.Packaged evidence submissions — prepare and transfer to crime laboratories or court officials in compliance with procedural and legal requirements.Latent fingerprints — dust, lift, and preserve from varied surface types at active crime scenes adhering to proper preservation and contamination-prevention procedures.Alternative light sources — operate to locate trace evidence including biological fluids, fibers, and impressions across multiple scene types.Chemical and powder processing of physical evidence — conduct in a laboratory setting while wearing appropriate protective equipment and following safety protocols.Database and spreadsheet software — use to query, update, and manage evidence inventories and records efficiently within a records management system.Court testimony preparation materials — organize and review to support accurate and professional presentation of findings to legal officials.Critical observations from multiple evidence sources — synthesize using inductive reasoning to identify patterns relevant to ongoing investigations.Time-sensitive evidence collection tasks — prioritize and coordinate across concurrent assignments in high-pressure field environments.
proficient
Complex or large-scale crime scenes — photograph, process, and document autonomously, applying advanced compositional and technical standards for legal proceedings.Non-routine evidence reports involving conflicting data — analyze, reconcile, and finalize with full accountability in multi-agency law enforcement contexts.Court testimony and physical evidence — present and defend independently before judges, attorneys, and juries with professional credibility and clarity.Difficult or degraded latent fingerprint evidence — recover using specialized powders, chemicals, and alternative light sources under challenging environmental conditions.Trace evidence from diverse substrates including clothing, vehicles, and soil — identify, collect, and package using best-practice forensic methods at active scenes.Evidence processing during autopsies — perform in coordination with medical examiners, applying full protective protocols and precise documentation standards.Graphics and photo imaging software — use proficiently to enhance, annotate, and prepare evidentiary photographs for court presentations and case files.Complex problem-solving across evidence gaps — apply deductive and inductive reasoning to guide investigative direction in consultation with detectives.Chain-of-custody integrity for high-profile or contested cases — maintain and audit throughout all stages from collection through court submission.Judgment calls on evidence admissibility and preservation urgency — make autonomously in the field based on legal knowledge and situational assessment.
advanced
Departmental evidence collection and records management policies — develop, implement, and update to align with evolving legal standards and best practices.Emerging forensic identification technologies and methods — evaluate and champion adoption across the identification unit to improve investigative outcomes.Junior and mid-level identification officers — mentor, train, and evaluate on scene processing, documentation, and court testimony skills.Agency-wide evidence integrity audits — lead and oversee to ensure compliance with chain-of-custody regulations and court admissibility requirements.Interagency collaboration with crime labs, prosecutors, and judicial officials — direct to coordinate seamless evidence submission and legal follow-through on major cases.Quality assurance standards for photographic documentation and forensic reporting — establish and enforce across all identification staff and case types.Training curricula and standard operating procedures for forensic identification functions — design and deliver using presentation and process-mapping software for the full unit.Critical incidents involving mass casualty scenes or high-profile crimes — command evidence processing operations, allocating resources and personnel under extreme pressure.Strategic planning for records management system upgrades — lead in collaboration with IT and administration to modernize database and imaging infrastructure.Organizational integrity culture within the identification unit — model and sustain through policy enforcement, ethical decision-making, and accountability practices.
Also known as
44 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Accident ExaminerAccident InvestigatorAccident ReconstructionistCommunity Service OfficerComputer Forensic ExaminerComputer Forensic SpecialistCorrections Identification TechnicianCrime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)Crime Scene Evidence TechnicianCrime Scene ExaminerCrime Scene Investigator (CSI)Crime Scene SpecialistCrime Scene TechnicianCrime Victim SpecialistCriminal Identification Coordination SpecialistCriminal Records TechnicianCriminal SpecialistCriminalistCyber Forensic SpecialistEvidence CustodianEvidence SpecialistEvidence Technician (Evidence Tech)Field Evidence TechnicianField Identification SpecialistFingerprint ClassifierForensic Identification SpecialistForensic Science ExaminerForensic Science Technician (Forensic Science Tech)Forensic ScientistForensic SergeantForensic SpecialistForensic Technician (Forensic Tech)Identification OfficerIdentification Technician (Identification Tech)Investigative Police SpecialistInvestigatorLatent Fingerprint ExaminerLatent Print ExaminerParts Identification Technician (Parts Identification Tech)Police Crime Scene Technician (Police Crime Scene Tech)