Scene of crime officer

Scene of crime officer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• responding to and prioritising calls from police officers
• taking charge of crime scenes
• establishing what evidence is required from incident scenes and how best to obtain it
• taking, developing and printing photographs of the scene
• gathering forensic evidence such as samples of blood, hair, footprints, tyre marks etc, using appropriate scientific techniques
• obtaining impressions of fingerprints from prisoners, dead bodies or from people who may have accessed the crime scene
• placing evidence into protective packaging and sending it away for forensic analysis
• preserving crime scenes against contamination
• compiling written reports
• giving and defending evidence in court.

Applicants should be capable of concentrating on the task in hand despite the difficult circumstances that a crime scene may present.

Typical employers of scene of crime officers

Scene of crime officers (SOCO) are employed by individual police forces throughout the UK. Although a few are police officers, most are civilians. They are based in police force headquarters or divisional stations but spend most of their time attending investigations.

Opportunities are advertised online, in newspapers, local authority job lists, and in professional journals such as New Scientist. Gaining relevant work experience via placements, work shadowing or networking is advisable. Further information about the job and entry requirements can be obtained from local police force headquarters.

Qualifications and training required

Entrance requirements vary between individual forces - most expect candidates to possess at least good GCSEs or A levels. Good photographic ability is essential and a qualification in photography can prove advantageous. Possession of a physics or forensic science-related qualification at any level can also be helpful.

Key skills for scene of crime officers

• able to cope well with pressure
• patience
• a logical and enquiring mind
• meticulous attention to detail
• excellent written and oral communication skills
• good teamworking and problem solving abilities.

Good vision (including accurate colour vision) and physical fitness are essential.