Crime Scene Investigator

Duties

Essential job functions may include:

• Traveling to crime scenes to conduct inspections for the presence of evidence such as latent prints, footwear and tire impressions, firearms evidence, blood and other physiological fluids, controlled substances, and trace evidence such as hair, fibers, and gunshot residue
• Documenting crime scenes by using general and comparison photography, note taking and sketching and/or diagramming crime scenes;
• Processing potential latent print surfaces by using standard powder, chemical, or photographic techniques.
• Primary duties and responsibilities consist of processing collected evidence and maintaining appropriate chain of custody to preserve crime scene evidence for presentation in court;
• Completing detailed written reports related to collected evidence and property; and
• Maintaining manual and computer generated records and logs of collected evidence and daily activities.
• The employee may testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal courts, pretrial conferences, grand juries, coroner inquests, etc.
• Crime Scene Investigators have some contact with outside agencies and frequent contact with uniformed officers, detectives, victims, suspects, and other law enforcement officials to exchange information which may be confidential or controversial in nature, necessitate explanation, and/or require the interpretation of facts.
• Assignments are received in verbal and written form and work products or decisions made are reviewed upon completion for overall quality and adherence to established policies and procedures.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, Computer Forensics or Forensic Psychology

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of basic principles of chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology, and/or related physical sciences.
• Knowledge of mathematical concepts sufficient to perform geometric and trigonometric calculations.
• Knowledge of practices and principles used in crime scene investigation.
• Knowledge of basic drawing and sketching, photography, and/or fingerprinting techniques.
• Knowledge and skill in applying standard forensic computer applications and/or programs.
• Skill in applying standard evidence collection techniques used in crime scene investigations.
• Skill in conveying technical information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to learn methods and techniques used in latent fingerprint processing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability and willingness to work under extreme stress and with hostile and/or emotional individuals.
• Ability to take observational notes and document actions taken.
• Ability to operate various types of photographic equipment.
• Ability to perform basic fingerprinting.
• Ability to apply crime scene investigation theories and techniques in field situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Willingness and ability to follow established departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to apply deductive, logical reasoning.
• Ability and willingness to testify in court.
• Possession of a valid driver license (Operator).

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

• Degree in Forensic Science.
• Experience in field work on Forensic Science.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Subject to working indoors and out under all weather conditions.
• Subject to frequent local travel.
• Subject to on-call duty.
• Subject to working in confined spaces to include in motor homes, aircraft, and watercraft, etc.
• Frequently required to work hours beyond normal scheduled work week, including weekends and holidays.
• Frequently required to work in extremely undesirable environments.
• Frequently required to work under stressful and hazardous environments.
• Frequently walking, hiking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
• Subject to kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting for extended periods of time.
• Subject to working in an environment that may contain bodily fluids and/or deceased individuals.
• Note: Typical City employee working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, working hours vary (may require work to begin before 8:00 a.m. and/or end beyond 5:00 p.m., and/or may require work on weekends and holidays), and are subject to change, based on the duties and location of the position and the business needs of the assigned work unit/department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Extend flexibility enough to climbing ladders, fences, and walls.
• Arm-hand steadiness and balance enough to use standard equipment to processing evidence.
• Strength enough to lift, carry or push and pull equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Vision enough to read, write and find small objects in poor lighting conditions.
• Near vision enough to read and draft written communications or reports, both manually and machine generated.
• Speech and hearing enough to communicate in person, telephone, to making auditory observations and to communicate with others with large amounts of background noise.

OTHER DETAILS

• Note: Civilian employees of the Oklahoma City Police Department must successfully complete a comprehensive background check and polygraph test prior to employment.

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