Police Forensic Examiner

Duties

The following is a list of essential duties and responsibilities assigned to the Police Forensic Examiner. While this list represents a good sampling of the duties of this position; it is not an exhaustive list.

• Locates, visualizes, collect, recovers, and preserves forensic evidence.
• Analyzes and compares latent prints to include identifications and exclusions.
• Responds to major crime scenes to provide guidance, advice, and assistance in the collection of forensic evidence.
• Prepares for and conducts AFIS searches of latent prints and maintains storage of latent prints in the databases.
• Conducts training in proper AFIS operating procedures, applications, and best practices.
• Prepares, acquires, and launches searches via the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) for entry into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
• Maintains equipment and supplies in crime scene vehicles; operates vehicle and contents as a crime scene facility.
• Maintains equipment and supplies in the laboratory; operates all equipment to manufacture’s specifications, provides maintenance and cleaning of equipment. Ensures equipment is always fully operable and identified the need for new and/or improved equipment and supplies.
• Prepares supplemental reports and demonstrable charts which may be required for court hearings and trials.
• Ability to explain technical and scientific methods and principles as an expert witness in hearings and trials.
• Trains commissioned and non-commissioned staff on subjects pertaining to the methods of collection and preservation of forensic evidence as well as the varieties of useable and probative forensic evidence that may be found at scenes.
• Keep abreast on latent trends, studies and techniques regarding latent collection and examination.
• Maintains a close and constant liaison with internal and external contacts, including municipal, county, state, and federal police agencies, acts as a consultant on specific latent print cases.
• Maintains records and compiles data and statistics for periodic and special reports on the activities of the section.

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

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of latent analysis and identification techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the proper use of chemical, physical and optical techniques used to collect latent and other forensic evidence.
• Thorough knowledge, understanding and value of minutia characteristics; pressure, movement and matrix distortions that may be present in a latent print.
• Knowledge of techniques of latent print science in the determination of pattern types and ridge counts.
• Possess thorough knowledge and principles of evidence and chain of custody factors.
• Ability to testify in court as an expert witness; ability to prepare court exhibits relative to latent print evidence.
• Ability to train others in the skills necessary for discovering, retrieving, preserving trace evidence at a crime scene.
• Ability to apply basic scientific principles in processing trace evidence, including biological fluid, hair, fibers, latent prints, tool mark evidence, paint chips etc. to a level comparable with availably equipment, capability, and responsibility.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with others; ability to communicate clearly, orally and inwriting in a professional, diplomatic fashion.
• Ability to become certified by the International Association for Identification in latent print examinations.
• Ability to complete training and testing as an Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) Technician.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:

• College coursework in Forensic Science or natural sciences,
• At least 3 years’ experience examining and identifying latent prints or an equivalent of education and experience,
• Must have a good, safe driving record,
• Possesses or can obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s license.

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