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How to find a job with Physical Evidence skills

How is Physical Evidence used?

Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how physical evidence is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to physical evidence below:

  • Recognized, documented and interpreted the significance of physical evidence through the application of a wide variety of scientific disciplines.
  • Perform laboratory tests, analyses, classifications, comparisons and identifications on all types of physical evidence.
  • Analyzed physical evidence linked to criminal investigations using chemical, biological, microscopic, and instrumental analysis.
  • Conduct crime scene investigations to gather physical evidence and assist the investigating officer.
  • Maintained accurate and complete records of physical evidence.
  • Identified and analyzed physical evidence for biological fluids/materials.

Are Physical Evidence skills in demand?

Yes, physical evidence skills are in demand today. Currently, 679 job openings list physical evidence skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include physical evidence skills are criminalist, crime scene investigator, and detective.

How hard is it to learn Physical Evidence?

Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use physical evidence the most: criminalist, crime scene investigator, and detective. The complexity level of these jobs is intermediate.

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What jobs can you get with Physical Evidence skills?

You can get a job as a criminalist, crime scene investigator, and detective with physical evidence skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with physical evidence skills.

Criminalist

Job description:

A criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators. They must also prepare and process documents, present detailed results and reports to investigators, and sometimes testify in court.

  • Physical Evidence
  • Laboratory Reports
  • Body Fluids
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Perform DNA
  • Proficiency Testing

Crime Scene Investigator

Job description:

A crime scene investigator uses specialized equipment and processes to examine crime scenes physically and visually. Scene investigators may be given authority to gather materials and evidence to solve crimes. They assist the detectives to solve crimes as they sort details and evidence so prosecutors in case building. Their job also includes fingerprint lifting and collecting. Also, they collect and document trace DNA evidence.

  • Physical Evidence
  • Criminal Justice
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Laboratory Analysis
  • Patrol
  • AML

Detective

Job description:

A detective is responsible for conducting in-depth investigations for criminal activities, potential threats, and other law-violating incidents, coordinating closely with law-enforcement agencies and crime intelligence analysts. Detectives often work on the field, gathering data and related evidence to support claims and connect the timeline of events. They keep an organized record of their findings for further validation before reporting it to the authority. A detective must have excellent investigative and critical-thinking skills, especially on solving puzzles and security solutions.

  • Physical Evidence
  • Patrol
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Crime Scenes
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Public Safety

Criminal Investigative Agent

  • Physical Evidence
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Surveillance Operations
  • Subpoenas
  • Investigative Reports
  • Documentary Evidence

Detective Investigator

  • Physical Evidence
  • Patrol
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Homicide
  • Electronic Surveillance

Crime Scene Technician

Job description:

A crime scene technician specializes in gathering and processing evidence from crime scenes. They must visit and closely examine crime scenes, find potential clues, gather fingerprints and DNA samples, take photos and videos, recreate the crime scene through sketches or computerized models, and keep records. They also conduct laboratory analyses to process evidence and report results to investigators. They may sometimes have to testify at court, where they must present their findings objectively and clearly.

  • Biohazard
  • Demolition
  • Physical Evidence
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Latent Prints
  • Crime Lab

Computer Forensics Technician

Job description:

A Computer Forensics Technician investigates cases from a digital perspective. They specialize in gathering and analyzing digital evidence from devices such as computers, flash drives, cell phones, tablets, and other technologies. There are also instances where they use special software and tools, recover or retrieve files, and unseal documents while adhering to government laws and regulations. When it comes to employment, they may work for government agencies, law enforcement, or even private investigators.

  • Extraction
  • Physical Evidence
  • Digital Evidence
  • Laboratory Equipment
  • Maintenance Logs
  • Immunoassay

Deputy Sheriff/Investigator

  • Patrol
  • County Ordinances
  • Physical Evidence
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Public Safety
  • Field Training

Forensic Scientist

Job description:

Forensic scientists work as experts in collecting evidence, analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes, and communicating with law enforcement. They can work as a lab manager and detective. They are responsible for ensuring that tests are performed correctly and ethically without any bias. They obtain evidence at the crime scene, making reports of the findings, examining the evidence in the lab if the evidence collected is relevant or not, and testifying in court. They report to superiors the findings of the analysis.

  • Laboratory Equipment
  • Physical Evidence
  • Analytical Procedures
  • Extraction
  • Criminal Justice
  • Test Results

Investigators Assistant

Job description:

As the name entails, the job of an investigator's assistant is to perform office duties and field jobs to support investigations into criminal justice and criminal cases. Typical duties will include processing legal documents and reports such as subpoenas and complaints, collecting fingerprints, police reports, and background checks, and interviewing victims and witnesses. Additionally, as an investigator's assistant, you are responsible for reviewing criminal background checks and conducting research on new social trends. You will also be responsible for preparing payroll and delegating and coordinating multiple projects under a tight deadline.

  • Background Checks
  • Physical Evidence
  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Data Entry
  • Background Investigations
  • Subpoenas

Chief Investigator

  • Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Criminal Justice
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Investigative Reports
  • Physical Evidence
  • Public Safety

Forensic Investigator

Job description:

A forensic investigator is responsible for collecting evidence and pieces of a clue to solve a complicated incident. A forensic investigator must have strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to handle various cases that would require intensive research and scientific principles application. Forensic investigators usually work closely with law enforcement personnel to identify all possible sources and secure evidence for further examination. They also study the scene where the incident happened, document observations, creating investigation reports, and communicating with several witnesses that would support possible claims.

  • Incident Response
  • Windows
  • FTK
  • Litigation
  • Physical Evidence
  • Digital Evidence

How much can you earn with Physical Evidence skills?

You can earn up to $68,152 a year with physical evidence skills if you become a criminalist, the highest-paying job that requires physical evidence skills. Crime scene investigators can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $59,391 a year.

Job titleAverage salaryHourly rate
Criminalist$68,152$33
Crime Scene Investigator$59,391$29
Detective$57,984$28
Criminal Investigative Agent$56,775$27
Detective Investigator$53,616$26

Companies using Physical Evidence in 2025

The top companies that look for employees with physical evidence skills are U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CoventBridge Group, and Freeport-McMoRan. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention physical evidence skills most frequently.

Departments using Physical Evidence

DepartmentAverage salary
Non Profit/Government$47,307