Police Identification and Records Officers

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Career Profile

Police Identification and Records Officers

What they do

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

Also Called: Crime Scene Evidence Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Technician, Criminalist, Field Identification Specialist, Forensic Specialist, Identification Officer, Identification Technician, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Latent Print Examiner, Crime Scene Evidence Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Crime Scene Technician, Criminalist, Field Identification Specialist, Forensic Specialist, Identification Officer, Identification Technician, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Latent Print Examiner

TX Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$52,510
Starting Salary (2025)
$90,510
Median Salary (2025)
-0.7%
Projected Job Growth
18,870
TX Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Package, store and retrieve evidence.
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.
Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Integrity
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Initiative
Stress Tolerance
Adaptability/Flexibility

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Complex Problem Solving

Expected Knowledge

Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
English Language
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
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.

Common Activities

Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 3

Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Associate's degree 28%
  • Bachelor's degree 26%
  • Master's degree 22%
  • High school diploma 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 8%
  • Other 3%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Forensic Science Technicians
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Coroners
Private Detectives and Investigators
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.