Job Description
Duties and Requirements Click to read more
Duties
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
- Processes crime scenes by taking photographs, dusting for fingerprints, collecting, preserving and logging physical evidence, completing crime scene and evidence reports, and packaging and inventorying evidence.
- Identifying latent prints by conducting searches on latent prints utilizing the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the FBI's Integrated Automated Identification System (IAFIS).
- Processes evidence by performing presumptive laboratory tests, analyses, classifications, comparisons, and identifications of all types of physical evidence from crime scenes and completes and distributes lab reports for each request received.
- Testifies in court by consulting with court personnel concerning testimony, responding to requests for specific evidentiary information and testifying under oath on crime scenes processed for specific cases.
- Provides educational opportunities by conducting training classes for police officers on crime scenes, teaching classes at police academies and providing public safety education at public schools.
- Provides departmental support by maintaining files and records, preparing detailed reports to ensure proper chain of custody, and assisting other organizations and agencies that do not have crime scene investigative units.
Requirements
Education & Experience
Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Bachelor's Degree in forensic science, crime scene investigation or related field plus the completion of Basic 40 hour Crime Scene Investigation training course through TEEX or similar agency with a basic understanding of latent prints.
Certification and Other Requirements
- Valid Class C Driver's License.
- Intermediate Latent Print Status or the ability to obtain in twelve (12) months of hire.
- Must be able to pass required pre-employment screenings, CJIS and fingerprint check, and have the ability to comply with state and federal requirements for Criminal Justice Information Security (PDF) (Download PDF reader) standards.
Knowledge of:
- Crime scene investigation protocols, evidence collection, and preservation techniques
- Fingerprint classification systems including AFIS and IAFIS
- Legal standards for evidence handling and courtroom testimony
- Laboratory testing procedures for physical evidence analysis
- Chain of custody documentation and reporting requirements
- Public safety education and crime scene awareness training techniques
- Police procedures and criminal justice processes
Skilled in:
- Processing crime scenes, including photographing, fingerprinting, and collecting physical evidence
- Identifying and comparing latent prints using automated systems
- Performing presumptive forensic tests and generating laboratory reports
- Clearly and accurately testifying in court as a forensic expert
- Communicating effectively with law enforcement, legal personnel, and the public
- Preparing detailed, accurate reports and maintaining organized case files
- Conducting public presentations and training related to forensic science and crime scene investigation
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