Occupation Summary

Police Identification and Records Officers

O*NET 33-3021.02

Description:

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

Annual Wages:
$88,299.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 7.13%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service

  1. Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
  2. Testify in court and present evidence.
  3. Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
  4. Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
  5. Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  6. Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  7. Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  8. Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  9. Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  10. Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
  11. Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
  12. Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.
  13. Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
  14. Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
  15. Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.


No Industry Employment Patterns found.

Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $42.45
2023 National average hourly wage $46.12
2022 National employment 114,400
2022 Texas employment 18,762
Texas projected employment by 2032 20,099
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 1,555




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
93.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
73.60%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
73.40%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
68.20%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
63.20%
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
57.00%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
56.20%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
55.60%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
53.80%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
50.60%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
77.60%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
75.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
72.40%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
67.60%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
65.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
62.40%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
62.40%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
62.40%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
62.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
77.60%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
77.60%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
77.60%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
75.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
75.00%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
72.40%
Flexibility of Closure
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
72.40%


  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Other Activities


  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Adjustable widemouth pliers: Adjustable widemouth pliers;

Alcohol analyzers: Breathalyzers;

Axes: Axes;

Binocular light compound microscopes: Compound light microscopes;

Biological evidence collection kits: Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits; Blood collection kits;

Biometric identification equipment: Fingerprint scanners;

Bolt cutters: Bolt cutters;

Bullet proof vests: Bulletproof vests;

Camera lens: Camera lens filters; Orange filter lenses; Polarized filter lenses; Yellow filter lenses; Wide angle camera lenses; Telephoto camera lenses; Red filter lenses;

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital camcorders or video cameras: Digital video cameras;

Digital cameras: Digital cameras;

Distance meters: Electronic measuring devices;

Fingerprint applicators or brushes: Fingerprint brushes;

Fingerprint latent print kits: Fingerprint evidence kits;

Footprint lifters: Electrostatic dust lifters; Impression casting kits;

Footwear covers: Footwear protectors;

Forensic magnifiers: Ridge counters; Magnifying glasses;

Fume hoods or cupboards: Fume hoods;

Gas generators: Power generators;

Geological compasses: Geological compasses;

Hacksaw: Hacksaws;

Handheld thermometer: Handheld digital thermometers;

Hazardous material protective apparel: Biohazard suits;

Infrared lamps: Infrared light sources;

Instant print cameras: Instant print cameras;

Laboratory scalpels: Evidence collection scalpels;

Laboratory scissors: Evidence scissors;

Laboratory tools: Evidence tweezers;

Laboratory vials: Glass evidence vials;

Lasers: Laser trajectory pointers; Portable lasers;

Locking pliers: Vise grip pliers;

Masks or accessories: Filter masks;

Measuring wheels for distance: Distance measuring wheels;

Metal detectors: Metal detectors;

Microscope slides: Microscope slides;

Narcotic test kits: Drug testing kits;

Notebook computers: Mobile data computers; Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Portable data input terminals: Handheld evidence collection computers;

Protective gloves: Protective gloves;

Pry bars: Pry bars;

Pullers: Automobile door handle removers;

Respirators: Respirators;

Rulers: Crime scene rulers;

Safety glasses: Safety glasses;

Screwdrivers: Straight screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers;

Shovels: Shovels;

Socket sets: Socket wrench sets;

Still cameras: 35 millimeter cameras;

Tape measures: Crime scene tape measures;

Two way radios: Two way radios;

Ultraviolet UV lamps: Low wavelength ultraviolet UV light; High wavelength ultraviolet UV light;

Utility knives: Utility knives;

Wire cutters: Wire cutters;

Wood chisels: Wood chisels;


Technology

Data base user interface and query software: Database software; DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene; Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS; National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database; National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN; Microsoft Access;

Graphics or photo imaging software: SmartDraw Legal; The CAD Zone The Crime Zone; Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD; Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI; Adobe Photoshop; Computer aided composite drawing software; DeChant Consulting Services iWitness; DesignWare 3D EyeWitness; Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene; Eos Systems PhotoModeler; Image enhancement software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft Windows; Linux;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Police Identification and Records Officers include:
  • 13-1041.00 Compliance Officers
  • 13-1041.06 Coroners
  • 33-3021.00 Detectives and Criminal Investigators
  • 33-1012.00 First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
  • 19-4092.00 Forensic Science Technicians
  • 13-2099.04 Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
  • 13-1041.04 Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
  • 33-3021.06 Intelligence Analysts
  • 33-3051.00 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
  • 33-9021.00 Private Detectives and Investigators

Contact Texas Workforce Commission
Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.