Crime Scene Specialist

Duties:

Essential Job Functions

• Processes crime scenes for evidence and fingerprints
• Examines and evaluates evidence and determines techniques and procedures to be used in the development of latent prints on diverse items of physical evidence by using physical, chemical, optical or any combination of techniques appropriate to the substance being examined.
• Identifies, collects and preserves evidence at crime scenes in support of law enforcement activities
• Utilizes highly skilled photographic and evidence-gathering techniques
• Writes detailed technical reports
• Establishes and maintains records to ensure proper chain of custody
• Prepares evidence and presents expert testimony in court regarding the maintenance, processing of evidence, test results and findings
• Enters, maintains and releases property and evidence for the Police Department, receives and stores all property booked in by officers
• Keeps immediate supervisors and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Drafts and modified policies and standard operating procedures for evidence collection/crime scene processing and submits for appropriate review and approval by chain-of-command
• Observes, monitors and adheres to policies set forth by the Police Department
• Oversees the inventory and maintenance of all supplies for crime scene and for evidence processing
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Performance Measurement

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, chemistry, biology, forensic science or similar field of study
• 1 year of general experience in crime scene processing: collection, preservation and presentation of evidence
• Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of physical evidence and identification procedures
• Knowledge of basic organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency
• Must be precise, thorough, exacting, or meticulous in regard to records and responsibilities or in performing an activity
• Must have high integrity
• Ability to learn to collect, preserve, label, catalog and store evidentiary items for presentation in criminal proceedings
• Ability to learn to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations
• Ability to work under stress when confronted with critical or unusual situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to understand and apply modern office methods and procedures
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in person or by telephone
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to communicate with department personnel, other City employees and the public

Preferences:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Three (3) years of fingerprint experience

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