Crime Scene Specialist

Duties:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - The duties listed below are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

• Identifies, collects, examines, interprets, classifies, preserves, and presents evidence from crime scenes, such as biological evidence, latent fingerprints, tire prints, firearms, shoe prints, tool marks, and other physical evidence
• Processes evidence in the field or workstation using special powders, chemical solutions, forensic light sources, and various cameras, lenses, and filters to develop and preserve evidence
• Prepares detailed reports of scenes that have been processed and any involvement during the investigation
• Attends autopsies to photograph injuries and fingerprint the deceased for identification purposes
• Photographs major crime scenes and serious accidents
• Develops, collects, and/or preserves latent fingerprints by conventional, chemical or laser/alternate light source technology; classifies and compares fingerprints
• Performs presumptive chemical identification examinations on various types of substances, including blood and narcotics
• Provides expert testimony relative to the work performed in court and other legal proceedings
• Trains Police employees in crime scene evidence collection, safety, and photography; instructs Police personnel on the proper methods of crime scene search and investigation, and the preservation and collection of physical evidence; may provide training in crime scene preservation to patrol officers, detectives, and citizens
• Works with Investigations personnel to ensure the proper preparation of evidence for court and other relevant proceedings
• Enters and extracts information from the AFIS system; runs searches/matches on the system
• Ensure workstations and assigned areas are stocked with evidence collection supplies and kept in an organized manner
• Work any post, assignment, or shift to support the 24-hour per day, 7-day a week operation. This includes nights, weekends, and holidays; and when the need arises, adjust their schedule to accomplish a mission or operational need
• Works mandatory overtime as required
• Performs the essential duties of the job in the conditions described in the physical demands and work environment sections below
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

Requirements:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate's Degree in Crime Scene Investigations, Criminalistics, Forensic or Natural Science or related field and two years experience as a crime scene specialist, or equivalent, with a law enforcement agency or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must obtain an ACJIS Terminal Operator Certification within six months of hire date.
• Must obtain certification on Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AzAFIS) within one year of hire date.
• Must obtain certification as a Crime Scene Investigator by the International Association of Identification within two years of hire date.
• Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Arizona Driver License.

Knowledge of:

• Classifications, comparison, identification, filing, and searching of fingerprints
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes, statutes, and regulations
• Crime scene investigation principles and practices
• Firearms safety and handling
• Photography principles
• Principles and procedures of investigating, processing, and documenting of motor vehicle accidents
• Basic warehousing practices and procedures
• Local, State, and Federal rules, policies, and procedures related to the collection, preservation, storage, retention, and disposal of property and evidence

Skill In:

• Use of photographic equipment and photo lab materials
• Using modern office and laboratory equipment
• Use of latent print development and recovery equipment
• Using a computer and related software applications

Ability to:

• Learn and apply criminal law and procedures
• Take fingerprints suitable for use in the AzAFIS
• Testify in court as a latent print/fingerprint expert
• Use computerized data entry and retrieval systems
• Identify, evaluate, and present evidence
• Handle and process various chemicals to process evidence
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports and purchase requests
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions in an independent manner
• Learn and apply the City's purchasing procedures
• Apply Local, State and Federal rules, policies, and procedures to the retention and disposal of property and evidence
• Organize a large inventory
• Maintain efficient record keeping systems
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and those contacted in the course of work
• Facilitate training sessions
• Think and act quickly under pressure and make appropriate judgments
• Work rotating shifts with irregular hours, weekends, holidays, on-call basis, and availability over the normal duty hours
• Communicate orally and in writing
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The work will occur in an office and field environment.
• While performing the duties and responsibilities the employee maybe exposed to loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, chemicals, electricity, moving mechanical parts, varying weather conditions, and other related conditions and situations.

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