Description
Process and document crime scenes by locating, collecting, and preserving physical evidence. Photograph, sketch, and measure scenes; develop latent prints; perform presumptive tests; and reconstruct events such as bloodstain patterns and bullet trajectories. Maintain chain of custody, coordinate with investigators and laboratories, prepare detailed reports, and testify in court about scene processing and evidence handling.
- • Maintain strict chain of custody and submit evidence to the property room or lab.
- • Use powders, alternate light sources, and reagents to develop and lift latent fingerprints.
- • Secure and assess crime scenes, establishing perimeters and entry logs.
- • Photograph, video record, and 3D scan scenes and evidence.
- • Measure and create scaled sketches or digital diagrams of scenes.
- • Identify, collect, label, and package physical evidence to preserve integrity.
- • Perform presumptive tests for blood and other bodily fluids and document results.
- • Document bloodstain patterns and conduct trajectory or stringing analyses.
- • Locate, render safe, and document firearms, casings, and projectiles.
- • Cast and photograph footwear, tire, and toolmark impressions.
- • Collect biological reference samples and elimination prints when authorized.
- • Recover trace evidence such as hair, fibers, glass, paint, soil, and gunshot residues for lab analysis.
- • Seize and preserve digital devices and media using proper isolation and packaging.
- • Attend autopsies to photograph and collect evidence, including recovering projectiles.
- • Operate and maintain field equipment, evidence kits, PPE, and vehicles; restock supplies.
- • Prepare detailed reports, diagrams, and evidence inventories.
- • Testify in court about scene processing, evidence handling, and findings.
- • Coordinate with detectives, prosecutors, and forensic specialists on casework.
- • Train and mentor new technicians on crime scene procedures.
- • Ensure scene safety and contamination control using PPE and clean techniques.
- • Reconstruct event sequences from scene evidence to assist investigations.
- • Use submission systems and databases (e.g., LIMS/AFIS) to route evidence and images for analysis.
- • Review laboratory results and update case documentation and notifications.
- • Follow legal and agency protocols for warrants, consent, and victim privacy.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
