A SOCO (Scenes of Crime Officer) is an officer who gathers forensic evidence for the British police. They are also referred to by some forces as forensic scene investigators (FSIs), crime scene investigators (CSIs), or crime scene examiners (CSEs). SOCOs are usually not police officers, but are employed by the police forces. Evidence collected is passed to the detectives of the Criminal Investigation Department and to the forensic laboratories. The SOCOs do not investigate crimes or analyze evidence themselves.

SOCOs examine crime scenes ranging from criminal damage to burglary to homicide, although the forensic science provider for the particular police force in question will often be called in to deal with the more complex forensic opportunities that arise during homicide investigations. They identify and collect forensic, photographic, and fingerprint evidence from crime scenes. SOCOs have many roles and responsibilities within criminal investigations, including preventing contamination of evidence at a crime scene, identifying evidence, and collecting evidence.

To become a SOCO, at least 5 GCSEs at Grade level 9 - 4 are required. You can also get into this job through a university course or by applying directly. Many employers ask for a degree and will expect you to have experience in police work or a related field, for example intelligence gathering and analysis. If you are already working for the Police, you may be able to do courses through the College of Policing to become a scenes of crime investigator.