Crime Scene Technician

Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently manage the department’s property/evidence computerized database, to include receipt, documentation, accountability, storage, security, and final disposition of all property and evidence recovered by the department.
• Independently determine, from knowledge and experience, the appropriate storage location to ensure security and integrity of property/evidence (i.e. refrigerator, freezer, main property room, bulk storage, etc.).
• Preserve the evidentiary chain of custody critical to successful prosecution.
• Process recovered evidence, such as lifting and photographing latent fingerprints and collecting DNA from evidentiary items. Preserve, collect, and record impressions, including tool marks, footprints, tire marks, bite marks, and fingerprints. Collect DNA evidence, including blood, semen, hair, skin, blood stain patterns, bodily fluids, and nails. Collect trace evidence, including gunshot residue, fibers, accelerant, glass, etc. Collect firearms evidence, including weapons, spent cartridges, and bullet fragments.
• Assist with incident scene evidence collection, processing, and management.
• Manage digital evidence produced in both video and photograph format. Including any redaction of video evidence in accordance with open records laws and department policy.
• Provide timely and thorough responses to discovery and public records requests.
• Receive, label, store, and document evidence and recovered property seized or retained by the department.
• Maintain detailed and current database records concerning the status of evidence and recovered property.
• Communicate with Wisconsin State Crime Labs, other approved laboratories, and/or other law enforcement agencies regarding the transmittal and receipt of evidence.
• Arrange for or transport evidence to the State Crime Lab or other approved laboratory.
• Correspond with stakeholders regarding the status of recovered or evidentiary property being held by the department.
• Properly execute retention, return, destruction, or sale of property, according to State and Federal law, court orders, and department policy, after case disposition.
• Prepare evidence and exhibits for court.
• Prepare, receive, and review property/evidence disposition sheets and evaluate requests from officers prior to release, destruction, or sale of property/evidence.
• Inspect, order, maintain, and stock department equipment/supplies used for processing and packaging property and evidence (within budgetary limitations).
• Assist in photographing and collection of evidence from scenes in the field.
• Complete reports, paperwork, and documents, including, but not limited to, offense reports/supplements, destruction requests, and transmittal forms.
• Read manuals, correspondence, investigative reports, follow-up reports, policies, court papers and any other job-related documents relevant to the requirements of the position.
• Operate, with proficiency, all hardware and software relevant to the Property/Evidence Section.
• Participate in training activities as directed by the Chief of Public Safety and/or the Commander.
• Provide department training regarding evidence and property related topics.
• Fingerprint and photograph victims, suspects, new employees, department volunteers, and others, where appropriate.
• Offer credible testimony at a trial or hearing regarding the specifics of evidence that was gathered, photographed, processed, packaged, labeled, and/or stored by the department.
• Perform other functions as required or assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of current law and case decisions relating to search and seizure, the handling of evidence, and other relevant practices.
• Knowledge of current methods and procedures used in the preservation of evidence.
• Knowledge of departmental rules of conduct, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to perform work, requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with subordinates, peers, and Supervisors.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to learn the Village’s geography.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in an efficient and effective manner.
• Ability to deal effectively and compassionately with victims, suspects, and family members of each.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and exercise initiative, independent judgment, and a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to prepare and maintain thorough and accurate records.
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with department personnel, other law enforcement and government agencies, crime labs, and district attorneys.
• Ability to prepare and deliver appropriate training sessions, including preparation of procedure manuals, where appropriate.
• Ability to operate and maneuver equipment requiring simple but continuous adjustments, including, but not limited to a vehicle, electro-static lifting equipment, alternate light sources, scales, fuming equipment, casting materials, computer terminal, and camera.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements, including, but not limited to low and medium lifting, low carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, reaching, balancing, stretching, bending, crawling, kneeling, and crouching.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual, and reliable attendance.

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

Requirements

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years of age
• Felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories are not allowed
• Must be able to read and write the English language
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits
• Minimum of an associate degree in related field or considerable work experience in police, laboratory
• Must be enrolled in a degree program for Police Science, Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, or related field

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to frequently work in outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, and in conditions with fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
• Requires frequently standing, walking, use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls and reaching with hands and arms.
• Requires occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, listening, tasting, and smelling.
• Specific vision ability with or without corrective lenses required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• May be exposed to excessive and moderate noise.

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