Criminalist

Duties

Responsibilities

• Prepare, collect, document, process, maintain and dispose of evidence in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and/or ordered directive
• Prepare reports and other written documentation as needed
• Provide internal and external customer service
• Communicate and assist law enforcement officials and others regarding evidence status
• Testify in court as a witness as required• Receives, collects evidence/property, maintain care, custody and control, and release or destroy evidence and any other stored property in accordance with established operating procedures (SOP)
• Develop evidence/property statistics and reports
• Research, locate, and return property to appropriate owner/custodian using established procedures
• Photograph, video-record, diagram, scan and preserve any area designated as a potential crime scene including those item(s) contained within the scene, the surrounding area or other areas as directed
• Research, update, and modify law enforcement database information appropriately
• Collect, process, preserve, package, store, transport and dispose of hazardous material and bio-hazardous material in accordance with established laws and SOP
• Transport evidence and property to authorized storage locations, laboratories, processing plants, and criminal court for trials while maintaining chain of custody
• Process and or analyze all collected evidence to include, but not limited to fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, DNA and trace evidence, etc.
• Assume care, custody, and control of evidence/property in accordance with established rules of evidence and procedures
• Assist at crime scenes and pathology labs to include but not limited to photography, videotaping, inked rolled impressions, or as directed by the attending pathologist, Detective or Supervisor
• Available to respond after normal work hours to any active crime scene when requested
• Transport, arrange, coordinate, and facilitate the destruction and disposal of evidence/property in accordance with Texas Statutes
• Work with law enforcement to identify, isolate and secure the crime scene
• Work with law enforcement to establish a restricted perimeter around the crime scene as to not compromise evidence
• Work with law enforcement to define a clear set of restrictions regarding nonessential personnel and investigative personnel
• Preserve, collect, and record impressions, including tool marks, footprints, tire marks, bite marks, and fingerprints
• Collect DNA evidence, including blood, semen, hair, skin, blood stain patterns, bodily fluids, and nails
• Collect trace evidence, including gunshot residue, fibers, accelerant, glass, etc.
• Collect firearms evidence, including weapons, spent cartridges, and bullet fragments
• Requires the employee to be able to render credible testimony in any court proceeding to include Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts, and any U.S. Federal Court
• Perform other duties as assigned

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

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s degree in natural or forensic science, or related field, preferred
• One year in crime scene related activities, preferred
• Two to three years of work experience in a police evidence room or other law enforcement work, preferred
• Three to five years experience in Evidence/Property Room Management, preferred
• Three to five years experience Forensic Photographer, preferred
• Three to five years experience with death and sexual assault crime scene processing, preferred

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current Class C Texas Driver’s License
• Expert Witness, preferred

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