Scenes of crime officer

In this role you could:

• attend a variety of crime and other incident scenes
•  preserve and protect crime scenes
•  record scenes using photography and video
•  gather fingerprints and trace evidence
•  find, record and recover evidence like DNA samples
•  keep written records, produce statements and update information systems with evidence details
•  give evidence in court

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of public safety and security 
• customer service skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work on your own
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

For some forces you may need to undergo vetting procedures like psychological screening.

You'll usually need a driving licence.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly

With experience, you could become a senior or principal officer, with responsibility for managing a crime scene investigation (CSI) team.

You could also complete further training to manage investigations at major incidents.