Description
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Interests
- Conventional
- Realistic
- Investigative
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Initiative
Tasks
- 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.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- 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 information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Technology Skills
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Operating system software
- Spreadsheet software
Abilities
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
IBM Certified Solutions Specialist - i2 COPLINK Detect V4.xCertifying Organization
IBM Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
National Law EnforcementCertifying Organization
Law and Public Safety Education Network
Type
Core
Certificate name
IBM Certified Analyst - i2 Analysts Notebook V9Certifying Organization
IBM Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Latent Fingerprint CertificationCertifying Organization
The International Association for Identification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Latent Print ExaminerCertifying Organization
International Foundation for Protection Officers
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $54,122 |
| Median (50%) | $87,937 |
| High (90%) | $116,079 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | N/A |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 113,400 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 116,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 2%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 2%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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