Forensic Scientist (Drug Chemistry)

Duties

FORENSIC SCIENTIST I RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handles evidence from crime scenes including processing and storing these in conditions that preserve their integrity, or handles calibration of breath testing instrumentation. Maintains chain of custody protocols for handling evidence.
• Applies appropriate and sound forensic, analytical, and scientific foundations, methods, and techniques in conducting laboratory analyses on items of evidence submitted in relation to criminal investigations, or calibrating breath testing instrumentation, functioning more independently as documented competency increases.
• Reviews and interprets results and prepares written reports or calibration certificates on findings following applicable laboratory protocols and procedures, such as administrative, quality assurance, quality control, safety, and test-specific methods/protocols, as outlined in laboratory manuals, directives, and standard procedures.
• Prepares and provides testimony as an expert witness concerning the results obtained from the testing of evidence, calibration of breath testing instrumentation, or analytical methods or findings, adhering to prescribed rules and standards.
• Operates and calibrates laboratory equipment by following documented procedures and laboratory protocols, ensuring that equipment is maintained and functioning within the operating parameters set for achieving valid test results and analytical outcomes.
• Adheres to accreditation standards as mandated by all applicable rules, policies, protocols, and procedures. Notifies supervisor or QA/QC personnel of any suspected non-conforming work.
• Conducts general maintenance and testing on equipment and quality control reviews on reagents and solutions to determine suitability for use in casework. Assists with studies related to validation or performance verification of new test methods.
• Establishes positive working relationships with laboratory staff and regularly collaborates with peers to share knowledge, review findings, and coordinate casework.
• Communicates with law enforcement and legal personnel to provide technical information related to forensic testing capabilities and limitations as well as to improve their knowledge and skills in classification, processing and testing of evidence.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST II RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handles evidence from crime scenes including processing and storing these in conditions that preserve their integrity or handles calibration of breath testing instrumentation. Maintains chain of custody protocols for handling evidence.
• Applies appropriate and sound forensic, analytical, and scientific foundations, methods, and techniques in conducting laboratory analyses on items of evidence submitted in relation to criminal investigations, or calibrating breath testing instrumentation.
• Reviews and interprets results and prepares written reports or calibration certificates on findings following applicable laboratory protocols and procedures, such as administrative, quality assurance, quality control, safety, and test-specific methods/protocols, as outlined in laboratory manuals, directives, and standard procedures.
• Performs technical and administrative reviews of case and calibration records and reports/certificates to ensure that the results, opinions and interpretations are accurate, properly qualified and supported by the technical records and to ensure conformance with test or calibration methods and applicable management system requirements.
• Prepares and provides testimony as an expert witness concerning the results obtained from the testing of evidence, calibration of breath testing instrumentation, or analytical methods or findings, adhering to prescribed rules and standards.
• Operates and calibrates laboratory equipment by following documented procedures and laboratory protocols, ensuring that equipment is maintained and functioning within the operating parameters set for achieving valid test results and analytical outcomes.
• Adheres to accreditation standards as mandated by all applicable rules, policies, protocols, and procedures. Notifies supervisor or QA/QC personnel of any suspected non-conforming work.
• Conducts maintenance and testing on equipment, performing troubleshooting and preventative maintenance of instrumentation, and quality control reviews on reagents and solutions to determine suitability for use in casework.
• Supports laboratory operations by assisting with at least one of the following: participation as a member of the Safety Committee, validation studies, non-routine instrument care and maintenance to include simple troubleshooting, or other activity approved by laboratory director.
• Favorably represents the Forensic Laboratory as a member of discipline-specific committees, associations, or workgroups and/or when providing outreach/education to scientific peers, interested stakeholders, academic institutions, or the general public.
• Communicates with law enforcement and legal personnel to provide technical information related to forensic testing capabilities and limitations as well as to improve their knowledge and skills in classification, processing and testing of evidence.
• Participates in the laboratory improvement process by making suggestions for protocol revisions, quality system improvements, or identifying risks and opportunities.
• Mentors lower-level forensic scientists and assists in technical training on laboratory processes as new analysts are hired or new technologies or workflows are introduced.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST III RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handles evidence from crime scenes including processing and storing these in conditions that preserve their integrity or handles calibration of breath testing instrumentation. Maintains chain of custody protocols for handling evidence.
• Applies appropriate and sound forensic, analytical, and scientific foundations, methods, and techniques in conducting laboratory analyses on items of evidence submitted in relation to criminal investigations, or calibrating breath testing instrumentation.
• Reviews and interprets results and prepares written reports or calibration certificates on findings following applicable laboratory protocols and procedures, such as administrative, quality assurance, quality control, safety, and test-specific methods/protocols, as outlined in laboratory manuals, directives, and standard procedures.
• Performs technical and administrative reviews of case and calibration records and reports/certificates to ensure that the results, opinions and interpretations are accurate, properly qualified and supported by the technical records and to ensure conformance with test or calibration methods and applicable management system requirements.
• Prepares and provides testimony as an expert witness concerning the results obtained from the testing of evidence, calibration of breath testing instrumentation, or analytical methods or findings, adhering to prescribed rules and standards.
• Operates and calibrates laboratory equipment by following documented procedures and laboratory protocols, ensuring that equipment is maintained and functioning within the operating parameters set for achieving valid test results and analytical outcomes.
• Assumes leadership role(s) to support laboratory operations including at least one of the following: serving as an auditor for internal audits related to laboratory accreditation; validation projects of new methodology, software, or complex analytical instrumentation; training development and delivery; management of the laboratory safety program; major case coordination; non-routine instrument care and maintenance to include complex troubleshooting and decision to escalate to a service call ; supply inventory management; technical management of a forensic discipline; or other activity approved by laboratory director.
• Conducts maintenance and testing on equipment, performing troubleshooting and preventative maintenance of instrumentation, and quality control reviews on reagents and solutions to determine suitability for use in casework.
• Favorably represents the Forensic Laboratory as a member of discipline-specific committees, associations, or workgroups and/or when providing outreach/education to scientific peers, interested stakeholders, academic institutions, or the general public.
• Proactively mentors lower-level forensic scientists, provides direction and technical training on laboratory processes, and leads laboratory improvement efforts.
• Makes recommendations on revisions to analytical methodology and on purchase of supplies and scientific/lab equipment. Participates in the laboratory improvement process by making suggestions for quality system improvements, or identifying risks and opportunities.
• Adheres to accreditation standards as mandated by all applicable rules, policies, protocols, and procedures. Notifies supervisor or QA/QC personnel of any suspected non-conforming work.
• Communicates with law enforcement and legal personnel to provide technical information related to forensic testing capabilities and limitations as well as to improve their knowledge and skills in classification, processing and testing of evidence.

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

FORENSIC SCIENTIST I Requirements

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience OR equivalent combination of 5 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must involve chemistry, biological sciences, computer science, forensic science, or a related field.

License/Certification:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and/or have access to transportation.

Special Requirements:

• Must pass a comprehensive background check in addition to a fingerprint-based criminal background check and motor vehicle record check.
• Must achieve and maintain documented competency in the appropriate specialty area as required by the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard, the process by which is established in the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory protocols.
• If applicable, must meet the educational requirements as specified in the FBI Quality Assurance Standards to perform DNA analysis.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST II Requirements

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience OR equivalent combination of 7 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must involve chemistry, biological sciences, computer science, forensic science, or a related field.

License/Certification:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and/or have access to transportation.

Special Requirements:

• Must pass a comprehensive background check in addition to a fingerprint-based criminal background check and motor vehicle record check.
• Must possess and maintain documented competency in the appropriate specialty area as required by the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard, the process by which is established in the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory protocols.
• If applicable, must meet the educational requirements as specified in the FBI Quality Assurance Standards to perform DNA analysis.

FORENSIC SCIENTIST III Requirements

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of experience OR equivalent combination of 9 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must involve chemistry, biological sciences, computer science, forensic science, or a related field.

License/Certification:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and/or have access to transportation.

Special Requirements:

• Must pass a comprehensive background check in addition to a fingerprint-based criminal background check and motor vehicle record check.
• Must possess and maintain documented competency in the appropriate specialty area as required by the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard, the process by which is established in the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory protocols.
• If applicable, must meet the educational requirements as specified in the FBI Quality Assurance Standards to perform DNA analysis.

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