- Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
Occupations with related tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV
- Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
- Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
- Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
- Evaluate records of communications, such as telephone calls, to plot activity and determine the size and location of criminal groups and members.
- Gather intelligence information by field observation, confidential information sources, or public records.
- Analyze intelligence data to identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.
- Prepare comprehensive written reports, presentations, maps, or charts, based on research, collection, and analysis of intelligence data.
- Collaborate with representatives from other government and intelligence organizations to share information or coordinate intelligence activities.
- Link or chart suspects to criminal organizations or events to determine activities and interrelationships.
- Establish criminal profiles to aid in connecting criminal organizations with their members.
- Identify gaps in information.
- Predict future gang, organized crime, or terrorist activity, using analyses of intelligence data.
- Study activities relating to narcotics, money laundering, gangs, auto theft rings, terrorism, or other national security threats.
- Study the assets of criminal suspects to determine the flow of money from or to targeted groups.
- Conduct presentations of analytic findings.
- Develop defense plans or tactics, using intelligence and other information.
- Interview, interrogate, or interact with witnesses or crime suspects to collect human intelligence.
- Prepare plans to intercept foreign communications transmissions.
- Study communication code languages or foreign languages to translate intelligence.
- Gather and evaluate information, using tools such as aerial photographs, radar equipment, or sensitive radio equipment.
- Operate cameras, radios, or other surveillance equipment to intercept communications or document activities.
- Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.
- Gather, analyze, correlate, or evaluate information from a variety of resources, such as law enforcement databases.
- Design, use, or maintain databases and software applications, such as geographic information systems (GIS) mapping and artificial intelligence tools.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
- Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
- Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers.
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
- Participate or assist in raids and arrests.
- Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary.
- Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them.
- Notify command of situation and request assistance.
- Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
- Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.
- Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
- Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities.
- Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects.
- Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations.
- Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps.
- Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- 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.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
- Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
- Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
- Investigate companies' financial standings, or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.
- Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
- Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
- Count cash and review transactions, sales checks, or register tapes to verify amounts or to identify shortages.
- Serve documents to parties named in legal proceedings.
- Use advanced technology, such as drones, GPS trackers, and surveillance cameras, to facilitate investigations.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using hand-held computers.
- Patrol an assigned area by vehicle or on foot to ensure public compliance with existing parking ordinance.
- Write warnings and citations for illegally parked vehicles.
- Appear in court at hearings regarding contested traffic citations.
- Maintain assigned equipment and supplies, such as hand-held citation computers, citation books, rain gear, tire-marking chalk, and street cones.
- Respond to and make radio dispatch calls regarding parking violations and complaints.
- Maintain close communications with dispatching personnel, using two-way radios or cell phones.
- Perform simple vehicle maintenance procedures, such as checking oil and gas, and report mechanical problems to supervisors.
- Observe and report hazardous conditions, such as missing traffic signals or signs, and street markings that need to be repainted.
- Identify vehicles in violation of parking codes, checking with dispatchers when necessary to confirm identities or to determine whether vehicles need to be booted or towed.
- Train new or temporary staff.
- Make arrangements for illegally parked or abandoned vehicles to be towed, and direct tow-truck drivers to the correct vehicles.
- Investigate and answer complaints regarding contested parking citations, determining their validity and routing them appropriately.
- Provide information to the public regarding parking regulations and facilities, and the location of streets, buildings and points of interest.
- Prepare and maintain required records, including logs of parking enforcement activities, and records of contested citations.
- Perform traffic control duties such as setting up barricades and temporary signs, placing bags on parking meters to limit their use, or directing traffic.
- Mark tires of parked vehicles with chalk and record time of marking, and return at regular intervals to ensure that parking time limits are not exceeded.
- Locate lost, stolen, and counterfeit parking permits, and take necessary enforcement action.
- Collect coins deposited in meters.
- Wind parking meter clocks.
- Provide assistance to motorists needing help with problems, such as flat tires, keys locked in cars, or dead batteries.
- Assign and review the work of subordinates.
- Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using hand-held computers.
- 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.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- 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.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
