Scenes of crime officer
Find, collect and record evidence from crime scenes in order to help solve crimes.
Also known as: SOCO, CSI, crime scene investigator, crime scene examiner
About the job
What it's like
You'd find, collect and record evidence from crime scenes in order to help solve crimes. This would involve working with police officers during the investigation. You may work directly for a police force or with a security services company that works with the police.
It would be your job to recover evidence from all types of crime, ranging from minor crimes to murder and rape. If you were an assistant scenes of crime officer (or SOCO) or volume crime scene investigator (VCSI), you'd deal with more common crimes such as vehicle theft.
You would:
protect the crime scene so that evidence can be recovered without being lost or damaged
find out what evidence is needed and decide the best way to collect it
record the scene using photography and video
search for footprints and for marks left by tools or weapons
record fingerprint evidence
collect evidence such as fibres, blood, hair, paint or glass using various techniques
put samples into protective packaging and send them for analysis
keep records, produce statements and update systems with details of evidence
give evidence in court and attend post-mortems
You’d need to be able to stay calm in unpleasant and distressing situations, and to keep confidential information private.
You'd also need to be willing to work flexibly.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- observation
- researching
- cooperating
- working with technology
- understanding
- attention to detail
- developing a plan
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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Photography
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Physics
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Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
Entry to this role is very competitive and requirements vary. Check the vacancies on the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) website.
Depending on the role, you'll usually require:
a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in a science-related subject such as biomedical or forensic science
or a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) in photographic studies
Due to the level of competition for jobs, some people have a Master's (SCQF Level 11).
To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF Level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF Level 8) course requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.
To enter a degree (SCQF Level 9/10) requires a minimum of three Highers at BBB; some courses will require that qualifications are achieved in one sitting.
A qualification in photography or video could be helpful although not essential.
Qualifications and experience that show your understanding of security and police services, your ability to deal with the public and to working in sensitive situations would be useful.
You usually require previous experience in police work or related fields.
You're likely to need a driving licence.
You'll need colour-normal vision.
Police services will carry out checks into your background and employment history. This might also include checking on your close family members. A criminal record may not always prevent you from being employed in the police service but you must declare any convictions.
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