What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  • Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  • Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  • Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  • Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.88/5
Reading Comprehension 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.75/5
Writing 3.25/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Monitoring 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Dependability, Self-Control, Cautiousness

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Written Comprehension 3.88/5
Oral Expression 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Written Expression 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Photoshop Computer aided composite drawing software Database software DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene DeChant Consulting Services iWitness DesignWare 3D EyeWitness Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene Eos Systems PhotoModeler Image enhancement software Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 5.0/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.75/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.75/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Accident Examiner Accident Investigator Accident Reconstructionist Community Service Officer Computer Forensic Examiner Computer Forensic Specialist Corrections Identification Technician Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst) Crime Scene Evidence Technician Crime Scene Examiner Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Crime Scene Specialist Crime Scene Technician Crime Victim Specialist Criminal Identification Coordination Specialist Criminal Records Technician Criminal Specialist Criminalist Cyber Forensic Specialist Evidence Custodian Evidence Specialist Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech) Field Evidence Technician Field Identification Specialist Fingerprint Classifier Forensic Identification Specialist Forensic Science Examiner Forensic Science Technician (Forensic Science Tech) Forensic Scientist Forensic Sergeant Forensic Specialist Forensic Technician (Forensic Tech) Identification Officer Identification Technician (Identification Tech) Investigative Police Specialist Investigator Latent Fingerprint Examiner Latent Print Examiner Parts Identification Technician (Parts Identification Tech) Police Crime Scene Technician (Police Crime Scene Tech) Police Evidence Specialist Police Investigator Police Officer Site Identification Specialist

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.