Cell 8
Our very own crime scene
Paul Beaken
Our own SOCO
Paul Beaken
Surely not the perp?
Paul Beaken
Scene of crime
OPCM
Scenes of crime officers (SOCOs) collect evidence from crime scenes.
They are not police officers but employed by the police force and work closely alongside police officers.
SOCOs' work includes:
•protecting the crime scene to prevent evidence being spoilt or destroyed
•establishing what evidence the investigating police officer requires and deciding what the best methods are for obtaining it
•recording the scene using photography and video
•searching for footprints and marks left by tools or weapons
•collecting fingerprints
•gathering evidence such as fibres, blood, hair, paint or glass using various techniques
•putting samples into protective packaging and sending them to forensic laboratories or fingerprint bureaus for analysis
•producing written records and updating and maintaining systems with details of evidence.
SOCOs may also be required to give evidence in court and attend post mortems
SOCO as a career
Interested?
What hours would I work?
What sort of environment would I work in?
What skills and interests would be helpful?
What qualifications would I need?
Would I need to drive?
Where could I train?
How much would I earn?
This page was added by Paul Beaken on 27/04/2012.