Criminalist

Duties

Criminalists conduct examinations of crime scenes for physical evidence, and in complex cases make all types of chemical analyses such as alcohol determinations, toxicological analyses of foods and body viscera and fluids; test for drugs and explosives, and various types of microchemical tests; make the difficult microscopic, chemical, and serological tests on blood and other physiological fluid stains; identify and compare hair, fibers, soil, paint, glass, building materials and other substances in forensic cases; make visual, microscopic and other technical examinations and comparisons of tool marks, firearms and other weapons, bullets, cartridge cases and ammunition; make casts; make and develop photographs and photomicrographs using black and white and color films; use complex measuring, recording and testing instruments and devices; prepare evidence and exhibits and testify in court as expert witnesses; assist local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in analyzing and interpreting evidence; write reports and correspondence; give instruction in this field at peace officer training schools; and provide forensic research, application, advanced casework, methodology development, and training to State and/or local forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies.

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

Requirements

Education:

• Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences, including the equivalent of eight semester hours of general chemistry and three semester hours of quantitative analysis. Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination but they must produce proof of graduation or its equivalent before they are eligible for appointment. Candidates who have graduated from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences, including the eight semester hours of general chemistry, but do not possess the three semester hours of quantitative analysis will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce proof of completion of the three semester hours of quantitative analysis before they are eligible for appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Scientific methods and techniques used in examining crime scenes; tests for the identity and comparison of blood and physiological fluids; tests for explosives and flammable materials; toxicological analyses; tests of hair and fibers, glass, soil, paint, and similar materials, and equipment necessary to conduct these tests; modern methods and techniques in investigations of major crimes; current trends in toxicology, general chemistry and microchemistry; modern types of small arms and the techniques of conducting all types of firearms, bullet, and tool mark comparisons; methods used in the examination of documents in criminal cases; photographic and photomicrographic principles and practices as applied to Criminalists; chromatographic techniques.

Ability to:

• Make extensive use of scientific methods and techniques at the scene of a crime; make effective use of microscopes, spectrograph, infrared and ultra-violet spectrophotometer, and gas chromatograph; use micro methods for determining physical constants such as refractive index and density; recognize the need for and develop and evaluate new test methods and procedures; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; conduct applied research to develop and validate state-of-the-art evidence examination techniques; testify effectively in court; instruct law enforcement and forensic personnel in criminalistics; prepare course outlines and lesson plans which will satisfy the requirements set forth by the Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training (POST).

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