Criminalist II - DNA

Duties

Typical Tasks

• Performs analysis and examines physical evidence in forensic specialty areas such as Audio-Video, Computer Forensics, Drug Chemistry, Trace Evidence, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Toxicology, Questioned Documents, Footwear/Shoe Print Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Analysis;
• Examines evidence, evaluates findings and interprets results utilizing various techniques such as photography, microscopy, wet chemistry, immunoassay, chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, DNA typing, data searching and recovery and digital processing;
• Performs field investigations at crime scenes and other locations to search for, collect, document and preserve evidence; provides expertise to agencies at crime scenes;
• Consults and advises law enforcement officers, attorneys and the courts regarding the nature of evidence or the results of laboratory analyses and their meaning;
• Testifies on the results of laboratory analyses and may interpret them for the courts and other legal hearings;
• Prepares clear, comprehensive, technically sound, and accurate casework reports, including all determined facts and conclusions;
• Maintains laboratory, instruments, equipment and glassware in a constant state of cleanliness, order and good repair;
• May be assigned to deliver technical presentations to outside groups;
• Determines the interrelationship of various pieces of physical evidence;
• Prepares evidence for presentation in court;
• Provides technical guidance to lower level staff and other laboratory personnel pertaining to routine work of the laboratory;
• Trains other Criminalists and law enforcement personnel in specialized techniques such as evidence collection or in new areas of forensic interest; trains and certifies operators in using breath alcohol instrumentation;
• Serves as a liaison with applicable professional organizations to provide and obtain pertinent information necessary in maintaining subject matter expertise;
• May be assigned as Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• May perform any related duty, as required.

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

Requirements

• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a natural or applied science, or a related field;
• -AND- Two (2) years of criminalist experience.
• A Master's Degree, or higher, in a natural or applied science or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required general experience.
• An incumbent must possess the minimum qualifications for the discipline assigned as defined by the Laboratory's current accrediting body as well as applicable requirements as set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Quality Assurance Standards and the California Code of Regulations.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to obtain and maintain a County driver's authorization.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, materials and techniques in a specialty area of Criminalistics such as Audio-Video, Computer Forensics, Drug Chemistry, Trace Evidence, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Toxicology, Questioned Documents, Footwear/Shoe Print Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Analysis;
• Recent developments, new techniques and procedures in the scientific examination of evidence;
• Common types of drugs, firearms, accelerants and/or explosives when assigned to the specific specialty areas of Drug Chemistry, Toxicology, Firearms, or Trace Evidence.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of chemical, instrumental, biological, digital or other laboratory analyses;
• Document activities in a clear and accurate manner;
• Use the scientific method to solve a variety of complex problems, validate instruments and/or methodologies and explain the significance of the results obtained;
• Prepare and present professional, clear, accurate and detailed analytical reports for law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, the courts and other agencies;
• Provide testimony on findings;
• Gather and analyze physical evidence and formulate conclusions;
• Analyze, interpret and present statistical data and outcomes to a broad audience, including law enforcement agencies, the courts and other agencies;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Keep current with forensic specialty literature, new techniques and procedures including researching and developing new analytical procedures in the scientific examination of evidence in criminal casework independently, as the lead or as part of a team, and maintaining liaison with other professionals and professional organizations;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including when serving as an expert witness in the presentation of laboratory findings;
• Maintain proficiency in all specialty disciplines where casework is performed;
• Gain forensic certification in Criminalistics or a related specialty area.

Physical Requirements

• Be free from any deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors;
• Must have vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye, unless appointed to perform audio analyses;
• Must not have suffered hearing loss of over 25 decibels in the 500, 1000 and 2000 Hertz ranges for appointment to audio analyses.

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