Police Identification and Records Officers
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Also called: Accident Examiner, Accident Investigator, Accident Reconstructionist, Community Service Officer, Computer Forensic Examiner, Computer Forensic Specialist
Median pay
$93,790
Pay for the broader BLS group “Detectives and Criminal Investigators”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$55,390 – $160,540
People employed
114,430
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CRI
Conventional · Realistic · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Police Identification and Records Officers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Detectives and Criminal Investigators”.
Police Identification and Records Officers salary in every state →
What police identification and records officers do
- 01Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- 02Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
- 03Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- 04Testify in court and present evidence.
- 05Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
- 06Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from police identification and records officers
- Forensic Science Technicians90% · —
- Coroners86% · group pay
- Private Detectives and Investigators83% · —
- Compliance Officers80% · —
- Animal Control Workers77% · —
Change into police identification and records officers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Forensic Science Technicians90% · $72,060
- Coroners86% · $80,730
- Private Detectives and Investigators83% · $51,220
- Animal Control Workers79% · $45,660
- Airfield Operations Specialists76% · $56,850
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
- Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
- Criminal Justice/Police Science
- Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
- Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation
- Maritime Law Enforcement
- Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
- Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.