About This Career

Collects evidence at crime scene, classifies and identifies fingerprints, and photographs evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster Law Enforcement Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Maintains records of evidence and writes and reviews reports.
• Packages, stores and retrieves evidence.
• Submits evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
• Testifies in court and presents evidence.
• Analyzes and processes evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
• Looks for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
• Photographs crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
• Dusts selected areas of crime scene and lifts latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
• Creates sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
• Serves as technical advisor and coordinates with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Overtime work
• Rotating shift work
• Weekend work