Forensic Identification Specialist

Duties:

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive.

• Processes crime scenes requiring specialized techniques in recognizing, searching, collecting, and preserving all types of friction skin evidence, including partial distorted latent prints, and physical evidence.
• Develops, collects, and preserves latent fingerprints by dusting, and applying various chemical processes and utilizing alternative light source technology.
• Prepares, enters, and compares latent fingerprints in the automated system currently in use by the Police Department.
• Makes casts and impressions, including tool marks, tire tracks, and shoeprints at crime scenes.
• Takes still and video photographs and/or recordings of crime scenes, victims and injuries, suspects, and traffic accidents.
• Processes photos and maintains files and indexes of photographs, recordings, and records.
• Appears in court to testify as an expert witness on comparisons of partial and distorted friction skin evidence and processing of crime scenes.
• Takes physical measurements and prepares diagrams of crime scenes and traffic accidents.
• Prepares crime and other original reports.
• Prepares court exhibits.
• Performs detailed comparisons of partial and distorted friction skin evidence to known friction skin exemplars.

Examples of Other Duties

• Participates in training of staff and outside agency personnel.
• Participates in case related research projects and evaluates new procedures.
• Attends division and department meetings as required.
• Serves on various committees as appropriate.
• Performs related duties as required.

Requirements:

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

• Graduation from college with an Associate's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field
OR
• One year of paid experience in law enforcement identification work; including investigative photography, fingerprint identification, collection, development, and preservation of physical evidence or the equivalent at an accredited forensic laboratory, or law enforcement agency, participating in site investigations and laboratory analysis.

• An International Association for Identification (IAI) certification as a crime scene investigator (CCSI) and/or a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) is desirable.

Successful candidates will possess the following:

• The ability to conduct, document, and manage complex crime scene investigations, including detailed report writing skills.
• Effective report writing skills and courtroom expert testimony.
• Skills and knowledge in recognition, search techniques, collection, and documentation of latent prints from physical evidence.
• Competence in the operation of digital imaging systems used for documentation and analysis purposes.
• Knowledge and skills in automated systems and chemical methods used to identify and compare latent fingerprints to partial and distorted friction skin evidence as well as known friction skin exemplars.
• Adequate knowledge and skills in training and evaluating staff members, especially pertaining to the related fields of Crime Scene investigations and Latent print examinations.
• Working knowledge and skill sets in entering and comparing latent print impressions in the local and federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS).

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