Employment Opportunity
Senior Criminal Forensic Scientist (DPS #10101711) - Firearm & Tool Mark Examiner
New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Salary: $44.98 - $71.96 Hourly
Final Filing Date: Sept 5, 2025
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety Forensic Laboratory is an accredited forensic laboratory that provides forensic analysis to 300 law enforcement agencies and judicial partners. Scientists provide expert witness testimony throughout New Mexico in the disciplines of DNA/Biology, Firearms/Tool Marks, Latent Prints and Controlled Substance Analysis. The Forensic Laboratory Bureau encompasses three forensic laboratories: Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Hobbs. The mission is to provide unbiased scientific results to client agencies, including federal, state, local and tribal agencies on criminal cases submitted for forensic analysis.
Duties
- Firearms and Toolmark Analysis (50%): Examine firearms, ammunition, fired components, and toolmark evidence to determine characteristics, operability, and potential associations using comparative microscopy and other validated methods.
- Casework Documentation and Testimony (20%): Prepare detailed reports of findings and provide expert witness testimony in court regarding examinations, conclusions, and scientific methodologies.
- Quality Assurance and Peer Review (15%): Participate in technical and administrative reviews of casework to ensure compliance with laboratory protocols, accreditation standards, and quality assurance procedures.
- Support Functions and Training (15%): Maintain proficiency through continuing education and contribute to lab operations by assisting with validations, audits, safety practices, and training of personnel or law enforcement partners.
Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics
Requirements
Minimum Qualification- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
- Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.
- Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of Federal and State Law, rules and regulations; and is conditional pending results.
- Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.
- In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a current Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico; or pass and receive the Defensive Driving Certificate.
Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!
How to apply: Apply online 
Posted: Aug 27, 2025
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