Forensic Scientist II, Drug Chemistry (60010621)

Duties

CASEWORK

• The Forensic Scientist II will perform casework on drug evidence seized by law enforcement officers in the course of criminal drug investigations. Examples of this evidence may include, but not limited to unknown powders, tablets, botanicals and liquids. The Forensic Scientist II can perform all casework that the Forensic Scientist I can perform and additionally, cases involving Clandestine Laboratory submissions.
• Color Testing
• Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry (UV)
• Microscopy
• Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)
• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)
• The Forensic Scientist II will perform casework with a high degree of technical independence. Forensic Scientists must be very familiar with the North Carolina General Statutes. The Forensic Scientist must also be able to classify controlled substances using the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act – Schedules I through VI.
• The analysis must be documented by the Forensic Scientist as required by the Crime Laboratory's quality assurance procedures. Forensic Scientists must also issue a clear and concise written laboratory report. Laboratory reports are used by Law Enforcement officers in their investigations, District Attorneys in their determination of what, if any, criminal charges will be filed against a defendant, other types of Attorneys, Courts and Juries in determining a defendant's guilt. The Forensic Scientist's work is checked through a technical and administrative review of the laboratory case file, which includes all of the documentation and the laboratory report produced by the Forensic Scientist during the analysis.

COURT TESTIMONY and COMMUNICATION

• The Forensic Scientist II must testify in state and federal courts as to his/her analysis of the evidence.

PEER REVIEW OF CASEWORK

• This position is responsible for the technical review of their peer’s laboratory reports to ensure they meet laboratory standards for quality assurance prior to issuance. It is the reviewer’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed, and that there are no administrative errors in the case’s report or supporting documentation.
• This position may be required to work overtime for court travel and completion of work.
• The Forensic Scientist shall be required to obtain individual certification consistent with the international and ISO standards within 18 months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Forensic Scientist participates in competency and proficiency testing.

• Selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: credit and arrest checks; interviews with associates, personal and business references, past employers and neighbors; verification of education achievement, and urinalysis drug screening and polygraph.
• Out of state applicants: This may require the applicant to return to the State of North Carolina multiple times at his or her own expense after the initial interview, in order to undergo the background investigation process.

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

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry, toxicology, pharmaceutical science with chemistry concentration (organic, inorganic, analytical or physical), forensic science (with concentration in chemistry or toxicology), biochemistry, pharmacology or closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution -AND- two years of experience performing bench level analysis in drug chemistry / toxicology; -OR- an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirement:

• Must obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within eighteen months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity.

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