Police Identification and Records Officers
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Also called: Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst) · Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) · Crime Scene Technician · Criminalist · Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech) · Field Identification Specialist
Median pay (national)
$93,580
$54,160–$159,410 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
110,790
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.7%
~7,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for police identification and records officers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $159,410 versus $54,160 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $93,580 leaves roughly 70% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 7,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Maryland pays the most for this role (median $125,630, +34% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $53,460 — a 135% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
- Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- Testify in court and present evidence.
- Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
- Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
- Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
- Package, store and retrieve evidence.
- Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
- Take fingerprints.
Tools & technology
- Adobe Photoshop
- Linux
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
- 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
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- SmartDraw Legal
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management