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Police Forensic Officer

Public Sector

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Public Safety & DefenceScience

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
  2. 2Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
  3. 3Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
  4. 4Testify in court and present evidence.
  5. 5Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
  6. 6Identify, compare, classify, and file fingerprints, using systems such as Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) or the Henry Classification System.
  7. 7Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
  8. 8Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
  9. 9Package, store and retrieve evidence.
  10. 10Process film and prints from crime or accident scenes.
  11. 11Take fingerprints.
  12. 12Perform emergency work during off-hours.
  13. 13Interview survivors, witnesses, suspects, and other law enforcement personnel.
  14. 14Serve as technical advisor and coordinate with other law enforcement workers or legal personnel to exchange information on crime scene collection activities.
  15. 15Create sketches and diagrams, by hand or computer software, to depict crime scenes.
  16. 16Coordinate or conduct instructional classes or in-services, such as citizen police academy classes and crime scene training for other officers.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • CSI
  • Criminalist
  • Investigator
  • Evidence Tech
  • Forensic Tech
  • Police Officer
  • Accident Examiner
  • Crime Lab Analyst
  • Forensic Sergeant
  • Evidence Custodian

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationHigh school diploma

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

History (Sejarah)Draws directly on Law and Government — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
BusinessDraws directly on Administrative — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Law and Government84%

    History (Sejarah)

  • Administrative76%

    Business

  • English Language75%

    English

  • Public Safety and Security72%
  • Computers and Electronics70%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Customer and Personal Service63%

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsEvery day
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherEvery day
  • Noisy environmentRarely

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Operate drones for aerial surveillance or to gather evidence from difficult to reach locations.
  • Use drone technology for aerial photography and videography of crime scenes.
  • Make recommendations for investigations and subpoenas.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

8%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Police Inspector (PDRM)

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Matriculation

One or two years, heavily subsidised with allowance. Competitive, quota-based entry.

12–24 months

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Police Identification and Records Officers

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org