- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
Occupations with related tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV
- Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- 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.
- Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
- Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
- 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.
- Take fingerprints.
- Perform emergency work during off-hours.
- Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
- Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
- Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.
- Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
- Use drone technology for aerial photography and videography of crime scenes.
- Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- 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.
- Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
- Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
- Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
- Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
- Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
- Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.
- Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
- Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.
- Develop or review fire exit plans.
- Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
- Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
- Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
- Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
- Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
- Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
- Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
- Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
- Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.
- Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.
- Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.
- Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.
- Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.
- Issue permits for public assemblies.
- Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
- Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
- Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
- Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
- Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
- Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
- Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
- Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
- Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
- Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
- Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
- Examine footwear, tire tracks, or other types of impressions.
- Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
- Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
- Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
- Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.
- Enter data into databases.
- Operate drones to capture aerial footage or photographs of crime scenes for further analysis.
- Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
- Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
- Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
- Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
- Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
- Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
- Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
- Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information, such as serial numbers.
- Screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
- Arrest persons in court when arrest warrants have been issued.
- Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.
- Check courtroom for security and cleanliness and assure availability of sundry supplies, such as notepads, for use by judge, jurors, and attorneys.
- Stop people from entering courtroom while judge charges jury.
- Provide assistance to the public, such as directions to court offices.
- Announce entrance of judge.
- Maintain court docket.
- Provide jury escort to restaurant and other areas outside of courtroom to prevent jury contact with public.
- Screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.
- Log and store exhibits from court proceedings.
- Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.
- Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.
- Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.
- Provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.
- Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.
- File and store shorthand notes of court session.
- File a legible transcript of records of a court case with the court clerk's office.
- Verify accuracy of transcripts by checking copies against original records of proceedings and accuracy of rulings by checking with judges.
- Respond to requests during court sessions to read portions of the proceedings already recorded.
- Record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.
- Take notes in shorthand or use a stenotype or shorthand machine that prints letters on a paper tape.
- Type court orders for judges.
- Record depositions and other proceedings for attorneys.
- File exhibits.
- Perform secretarial tasks for the court.
- Swear in witnesses.
- Log and store exhibits from court proceedings.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
- Inform personnel of changes in regulations and policies, implications of new or amended laws, and new techniques of police work.
- Train staff in proper police work procedures.
- Discipline staff for violation of department rules and regulations.
- Monitor and evaluate the job performance of subordinates, and authorize promotions and transfers.
- Review contents of written orders to ensure adherence to legal requirements.
- Conduct raids and order detention of witnesses and suspects for questioning.
- Cooperate with court personnel and officials from other law enforcement agencies and testify in court, as necessary.
- Meet with civic, educational, and community groups to develop community programs and events, and to discuss law enforcement subjects.
- Inspect facilities, supplies, vehicles, and equipment to ensure conformance to standards.
- Direct release or transfer of prisoners.
- Requisition and issue equipment and supplies.
- Develop, implement, and revise departmental policies and procedures.
- Prepare news releases and respond to police correspondence.
- Prepare budgets and manage expenditures of department funds.
- Read and review subordinates' reports to ensure legal standards are met and there are no mistakes.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
