Forensic Services Technician II

Duties

Examples of Duties

• Operates a police vehicle and responds to crime scenes, hospitals, and the medical examiner's office to collect and transport evidence.
• Surveys actual and suspected crime scenes, takes photographs, and prepares sketches of same.
• Searches for and develops latent prints.
• Photographs and fingerprints deceased individuals.
• Performs gunshot residue tests at shootings.
• Prepares evidence for further examination, analysis, and processing.
• Develops various types of plaster and rubber casts of crime scene evidence.
• Evaluates prints and photographs.
• Operates digital cameras and related equipment to capture images of crime scenes, victims, and physical evidence.
• Examines, enhances, and produces images of physical evidence including latent fingerprints, palm prints, and images from photographs and videotape.
• Maintains image files on data storage devices.
• Photographs crime suspects, crime victims, and victims of suspected domestic and child abuse.
• Prepares detailed and accurate written reports on crime scene processing and completes all forms required for same.
• Prepares and presents evidence, photographs, and sketches and testifies in criminal courts.
• Demonstrates proficiency in one of the following specialized areas: digital enhancement, footwear and tire track examination, and blood spatter analysis.
• Trains and advises lesser skilled technicians.
• Reviews and verifies the work of others.

Examples of Other Duties

• Cleans, maintains, and organizes vehicle.
• Orders and maintains supplies, and prepares equipment required to perform duties.
• Works with other Forensic Services Specialists.
• May train and advise other departmental personnel.
• May participate in photography assignments, including photographing line-ups, copying photographs, and other related photographic tasks.
• May attend training sessions, participate in seminars and conferences, and testify in court, both locally and out-of-state.
• Performs other related duties as required.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.)

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

Requirements

Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in a biological or physical science, criminalistics, criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field.
-AND-
• Three years' experience in forensics or evidence collection. (Additional experience in forensics or evidence collection may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Knowledge of criminal laboratory procedures.
• Knowledge of photographic equipment and techniques used in documenting crime scenes and evidence.
• Knowledge of the rules and procedures of maintaining chain-of custody of evidence.
• Knowledge of correct methods for identifying, collecting, recording, and preserving physical evidence.
• Knowledge of the procedures and methods of digital enhancement, footwear and tire track examination, blood spatter analysis techniques, or any other forensic discipline.
• Skill in applying correct methods for identifying, collecting, recording, and preserving physical evidence.
• Skill in photographing and sketching crime scenes and processing latent prints.
• Skill in preparing and presenting evidence, photographs, and sketches for criminal court.
• Skill in photographing and processing digital images of physical evidence, including latent fingerprints, palm prints, and images from photographs or videotape.
• Skill in conducting footwear and tire track examination and analysis.
• Skill in conducting digital enhancement of video, photographs and fingerprints.
• Skill in providing expert testimony in criminal court proceedings.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to act as a lead worker and to train or instruct others.
• Ability to work in a stressful and distracting environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and court personnel.
• Ability to read road maps.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of County and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing performance of duties.
• Thorough knowledge of the procedures and methods of digital enhancement, footwear and tire track examination, blood spatter analysis techniques, or any other forensic discipline.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license is required at the time of appointment.

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