Forensic Services Technician - Crime Scene

Duties:

Representative Work Functions and Responsibilities

• Act as a principal assistant at major crime scenes.
• Process minor crime scenes independently.
• Develop latent finger and palm prints.
• Search for, identify and recover all forms of evidence.
• Document crime scenes using sketching and measurements, photography and video taping.
• Prepare reports and testify in court.
• Assist in processing of juveniles, felons and court-ordered processes; and assist in civil processes.
• Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on then current workloads and department needs.

Performance Standards

• Recognize the significance and value of evidence recovered at a crime scene and handle that evidence according to procedures; document all work by accurate and thorough reports; and provide credible testimony in court.

Requirements:

MINIMUMS:

• Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to three (3) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and associated with such positions as evidence technician or related position or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
• This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employees supervisor based on position assigned.
• This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to mandatory drug testing. Positive drug test results may result in counseling and/or discipline, up to and including, termination.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical.
• Must successfully complete a police background investigation, including polygraph examination.

Additional Requirements:

• DMV Transcript: Required
• CDL: Not Required
• DOT History: Not Required
• CPS Check: Not Required
• Physical: Not Required
• Respirator: Not Required
• Polygraph Review: Required
• Psychological Screening: Not Required

Preferences:

• Strong communication skills
• Detail orientation and organizational/time management skills
• Willingness to pursue International Association of Identification (IAI), or comparable, certification as a crime scene investigator
• Experience testifying in court
• Experience operating the 3D laser scanner and other specialized equipment.
• Completion of specialized forensic training in an area such as bloodstain pattern analysis, shooting incident reconstruction, etc.

Knowledge-Skills-Abilities Required to Perform Satisfactorily

Knowledge

• Knowledge of basic photographic principles.
• Knowledge of basic office procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques used in searching, collecting, and maintaining chain of custody of evidence.
• Knowledge of proper methods for taking inked fingerprints.
• Knowledge of techniques used in developing latent fingerprints.

Skills

• Skill in the operation of video and still cameras.
• Skill in the recovery and preservation of physical evidence.
• Skill in developing latent fingerprints.
• Skill in discharging duties with only occasional, immediate supervision (after completion of training period).
• Skill in recording data and maintaining accurate, detailed records.

Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to evaluate and determine the most desirable method of evidence recovery.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other police department personnel as well as members of outside agencies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public under a variety of situations.
• Ability to perform work effectively in stressful situations and adverse working conditions.
• Ability to learn court procedure and proper testimony for court cases.
• Ability to perform work in a variety of physical settings including: taking aerial photographs from plane, helicopter or fire department apparatus; working scenes from marine patrol or other watercraft; working in and around traffic; working arson scenes while the area still smolders; working in confined areas and performing close work for extended periods; processing deceased bodies.
• Ability to safely handle firearms.
• Ability to work with toxic/hazardous chemicals and handle a variety of hazardous materials on a daily basis.
• Ability to collect evidence, or transport equipment, which may require bending, crawling, lifting, or climbing over various surfaces and locations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts.

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