Criminalist I

Duties

Examples of Essential Functions

• Performs detailed investigations in conjunction with law enforcement agencies regarding a wide variety of crime / death scenes for the presence of all types of evidence such as biological fluids (i.e., blood, etc.), DNA, hairs / fibers, control substance, latent prints, gunshot residue (GSR), shoe and tire impressions, firearms / weapons, clothing, etc.
• Maintain accurate documentation of observations and actions taken while investigating a crime / death scene.
• Photograph crime / death scenes, victims, autopsies, traffic accidents, property damage, stolen property, arson sites, and arrestees, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
• Perform forensic photography and videography of victims, suspects crime scenes, items of evidence, latent prints and other items and objects.
• Measure location and relational distances of victims, suspects and other individuals, evidence, objects, building, vehicles and other items using manual and automated equipment and prepare diagrammatic material depicting those measurements and locations as found at crime scenes.
• Collect and preserve evidence using clean collection techniques.
• Maintain the integrity and the chain of custody of all evidence from collection, logging into the computer system, and distribution to the appropriate law enforcement or judicial agency.
• Attend autopsies to document, collect and preserve evidence involved in a death investigation.
• Examine and process items of evidence, both at crime / death scenes and in the laboratory, for the presence of latent prints. In accordance with prescribed processes, lift and preserve prints for use in comparisons / eliminations.
• Develop latent fingerprints with powders, chemicals, or other approved methods, both in the field and in an evidence laboratory, on a variety of objects and surfaces and perform related specialized photography.
• Evaluate developed latent prints and compare them to inked prints from known subjects.
• Complete measurements, rough sketches and computer aided diagrams of crime / death scenes for investigation and court purposes.
• Document findings and compose investigative reports for submission to law enforcement agencies and courts.
• Provide other forensic services based on education and training.
• Provide expert witness testimony citing involvement in a particular case, observations and information obtained through the course of attending crime / death scenes, autopsies or latent print processing results.
• Participate in criminal pre-trial investigations regarding violent and non-violent cases.
• May perform other general duties including updating computerized records, filing, maintaining and storing an appropriate inventory of supplies, and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Perform related duties as required.

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

Requirements

The following minimum qualifications are required to be met at the time of application. Combinations of relevant work experience and education that are equivalent to the following are acceptable.

Education/Training:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of directly related crime scene investigations, evidence processing and evaluation, forensic photography and videography, manual and/or automated crime scene diagramming, and/or latent fingerprint examination, identification and verification experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the Bachelor’s Degree.

Work Experience:

• Two (2) years experience performing the full range of duties and responsibilities related to crime scene investigations, evidence processing and evaluation, forensic photography and videography, manual and/or automated crime scene diagramming, and/or latent fingerprint examination, identification and verification.

License/Certification:

• Valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification for inquiry.

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