Description
Collect, document, and preserve physical evidence at scenes and in the property room; photograph and process items, maintain chain of custody, and prepare evidence for laboratory analysis and court.
- • Document and photograph crime and accident scenes and evidence.
- • Testify in court on evidence collection, handling, and chain of custody.
- • Develop and lift latent fingerprints using powders, chemicals, and alternate light sources (ALS).
- • Search for and collect trace evidence (hairs, fibers, impressions) using appropriate tools and light sources.
- • Package, seal, label, and store evidence per policy and best practices.
- • Maintain chain-of-custody records and property room inventory.
- • Respond on-call to scenes during off-hours as needed.
- • Manage and archive digital images, video, and photo logs.
- • Write detailed reports and maintain evidence documentation.
- • Submit evidence to crime laboratories and courts; coordinate transfers and returns.
- • Prepare latent print submissions for AFIS or examiners and track results.
- • Coordinate with detectives, prosecutors, and lab personnel on evidence handling and analysis.
- • Provide training to officers on evidence packaging, collection, and scene preservation.
- • Process and examine evidence at scenes, autopsies, or in the lab using PPE and approved techniques.
- • Create hand-drawn or software-based sketches and diagrams to depict scenes and item locations.
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Public Service & Safety
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Tasks & skills:
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
