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More info
- Find, record and recover evidence from crime scenes
- You'll need a methodical and patient approach with excellent attention to detail
- Progress to senior or principal officer with responsibility for managing a team
This role would be ideal for someone with a methodical and patient approach, excellent attention to detail, keen observational skills, the ability to record and report information accurately (spoken and written), the ability to remain calm in unpleasant and distressing situations, and the ability to use computers and scientific equipment.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Preserve and protect crime scenes
- Find out what evidence is needed
- Record the scene using photography and video
- Develop, record and capture fingerprint evidence
- Find, record and recover evidence
- Keep written records
- Produce statements and update systems with details of evidence
- You may also need to give evidence in court or attend post-mortems
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work on the streets, in a court, at a mortuary or at a police station. You'll usually work shifts and be part of an on-call rota. The job can be physically and emotionally demanding and involve working at height, in confined spaces, and being outdoors in all weather conditions. You'll spend most of your time out on investigations, but would write up reports, process recovered evidence and prepare statements at a police station. You're likely to need a driving licence.
You'll need
Police services and law enforcement agencies set their own entry requirements for this type of work. In general, you'll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English, maths and a science subject. Some employers may prefer A levels or equivalent, including a science like chemistry or biology. Many employers ask for a degree and will expect you to have experience in police work or a related field, for example intelligence gathering and analysis.
Experience of dealing with the public and working in sensitive situations would be useful.
Qualifications or experience in photography can also be useful and may be essential for some jobs.
You can do a degree in forensic science, or in a scientific subject like biological science or chemistry. Some courses are accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
You'll need to pass enhanced background checks and usually need to have a driving licence.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you may be able to progress to senior or principal officer with responsibility for managing a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) team. You could complete further training to manage investigations at major incidents.