Forensic Services Technician

Duties:

Essential Functions (not intended to be all inclusive)

• Performs initial screening, processing, and triaging of evidence from crime scenes.
• Performs function tests on firearms retrieved from crime scenes and in support of the Firearms Unit.
• Provides assistance to troopers conducting field tests.
• Facilitates Department and laboratory field programs such as the Intoxilyzer, Field Drug Testing, and Rapid DNA programs.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs/coordinates repair of field and laboratory instruments, equipment, and software including, but not limited to, camera equipment, breath testing instruments and simulators, Rapid DNA instruments, digital evidence software, and sex assault kit tracking software.
• Presents expert testimony to support role in criminal investigations.
• Searches, identifies, documents, measures, diagrams, preserves, and collects all types of physical evidence at crime scenes.
• Prepares supplemental reports for crime scene activity, evidence testing results, and instrument repair.
• Responds to requests for assistance with hazardous materials scenes.
• Conducts overall, macro, and aerial photography of accident and crime scenes. Serves as in-house photographer in support of law enforcement functions.
• Conducts various preliminary examinations of evidence in the field.
• Maintains official Department images and processes public and Department requests for photos.
• As an AZ P.O.S.T.-certified instructor, provides instruction to troopers and other state agency personnel on various topics (i.e., Intoxilyzer, Rapid DNA operations, crime scene processing).
• Maintains instrument reports and records of calibration, certification, and maintenance to ensure admissibility of evidentiary samples.
• Maintains unit vehicles, vehicle bay, and supply inventory.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:

• the principles, practices, and techniques of evidentiary identification, documentation, and collection.
• safety precautions related to processing and photographing crime scenes.
• criminal law sufficient to process and photograph scenes without compromising criminal investigations.
• the principles and technologies of relevant crime scene, photographic, and field testing equipment and software.
• repair techniques for field services instruments and software.
• firearms safety.
• evidence processing techniques using a variety of technical equipment, materials, and processes.
• applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• applicable Department policies and procedures.

Skill in:

• the use of specialized crime scene processing and diagramming equipment.
• the use of photographic equipment and image enhancing software and programs.
• recognizing transient evidence and systematically processing crime scenes.
• the use of specialized equipment and software for processing evidence.
• effectively troubleshooting equipment.
• working as part of a team to form and implement a plan and working together to achieve a common goal.
• problem solving.

Ability to:

• attain and maintain technical certification (Rapid DNA Operator, Intoxilyzer, Operator/Quality Assurance Specialist or Clandestine Laboratory Response) as required.
• establish and maintain effective working relationship with co-workers, law enforcement personnel, and the public.
• recognize hazardous situations.
• work independently.
• work in stressful or hazardous environments.
• work around, or come into contact with, deceased individuals in various stages of decomposition.
• survey crime scenes and process them in a logical fashion.
• maintain professionalism and composure and work effectively during long, stressful, and/or complex scenes.
• exercise care in performing intricate, detailed work.
• identify problems and determine solutions.
• take detailed and thorough notes.
• give and take orders in support of the lead investigator at a crime scene.
• follow oral and written instructions.
• communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing, explain technical concepts, and write detailed reports.
• appropriately prioritize work assignments.
• organize and maintain a laboratory area.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires an Associate's degree in crime scene investigations, crime scene technology, criminalistics, electronics technology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution with coursework in forensic science, crime scene technology, photography, or chemistry. Degree requirement may be substituted by four years' full-time experience working in an accredited forensics laboratory performing any of the essential functions as described OR four years' experience as a law enforcement photographer or as an electronics technician.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.
• Must have a valid Arizona driver license by the date of hire, and maintain throughout employment,

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May be exposed to fumes or dust, bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals, or materials that transmit infectious disease (e.g., AIDS, Hepatitis B), are corrosive, carcinogenic, or explosive.
• May be required to move items up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Must be able to respond to crime scenes and court appearances as needed.
• Must be able to respond to requests for photography and scene assistance on a 24-hour basis. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time, squat, or kneel to perform job functions.
• Must be able to work outside of normal business hours including nights and weekends and in extreme weather conditions.
• Participates in on-call rotation to respond to requests for photography and scene assistance on a 24-hour basis.

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