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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

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£308

Entry level

£712

Experienced

Monthly

£1,333

Entry level

£3,083

Experienced

Yearly

£16,000

Entry level

£37,000

Experienced

2,800

people are currently employed

Low growth

200 fewer jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

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.

Hours

SOCOs provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which means you'd usually work shifts and be part of an on-call rota.

Environment

The job can be physically demanding and involve working at heights, in confined spaces, and being outdoors in all weather conditions. Some of your work will be unpleasant or distressing. You'd spend most of your time out on investigations, but you'd write up reports, process recovered evidence and prepare statements at a police station.

Travel

You'd travel to visit each crime scene.

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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.

    Here are some of the 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.

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    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:

    • Biology

    • Chemistry

    • Human Biology

    • Photography

    • Physics

    • 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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