Property and Evidence Technician

Duties

Typical Duties

• Receives, records and stores all property and evidence in accordance with established procedures and laws.
• Initiates and maintains hardcopy and database records of all property and evidence received.
• Maintains all evidence storage areas at police building and remote site.
• Processes requests from officers, attorneys, insurance companies, etc. for evidence or copies of audio or videotapes.
• Transports evidence to and from crime labs, coroner's office, district attorney's office and other locations.
• Answers questions from public, property owners, attorneys and officers regarding property and evidence policies/procedures, and disposition of property and evidence.
• Photographs evidence.
• Purges evidence in accordance with established procedures and laws to include: researching disposition of cases using local, county, state and federal information systems; requesting and processing court orders for return or destruction of evidence; preparing property and evidence for auction and coordinating pick-up; processing auction payments; arranging for transport and disposal of bio-hazardous materials; preparing weapons for disposal and transporting them to destruction site; transports drugs to disposal site; releases property to owners; disposes of non-hazardous, unclaimed property.
• Examines latent prints for quality to determine if suitable to use.
• Trains officers in the safe and proper handling and packaging of property and evidence.
• Account for and deposit all evidence money with Finance Department. Send counterfeit money to U. S. Secret Service.
• Testifies in court as custodian of evidence when required.
• Performs regular inventories/audits of weapons, drugs and money.
• Inventories/orders/stocks supplies for evidence processing room.
• Produces reports relating to the disposition of property evidence.
• Assists with updates to policies and procedures in accordance with legislative changes.
• May provide lead direction to volunteers or temporary employees as assigned.
• May assist at crime scene with the collection of evidence.

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

Requirements

Experience and Education

• High school graduation with some additional college training and experience in a field in which required skills are applied.

License:

• Valid Class C California driver's license.

Skill to:

• Prepare and maintain extensive records.
• Work independently without immediate supervision.
• Remain calm when dealing with difficult people/situations.
• Read, understand and follow written policies, regulations and both oral and written instructions.
• Operate a variety of modern office equipment, including personal computers and software.
• Perform basic math related to accounting for large sums of money.
• Operate a camera and audio/video duplicating equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Read, learn, interpret and apply policies and procedures related to custody of property.
• Work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of computerized inventory control.
• Techniques and procedures used in the safe collection, recording and preservation of evidence.
• Various laws and policies related to evidence.
• Principles and practices of modern record keeping.
• Basic organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency.

Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!