Forensic Services Technician III

Duties

Essential Functions

• Performs advanced/complex level of identification, collection, analysis, and preservation of physical and or digital evidence and prepares reports thereof as part of police and fire investigations in one or more units of the Forensic Services Section.
• Makes presentations and provides testimony in court.
• Assists in developing procedures for and executing performance of quality assurance for technical methods for one or more units of the Forensic Services Section.
• Assists in creating and instructing the training program.
• Assists in administrative procedures to support the work performed, results reported, and quality assurance in one or more units of the Forensic Services Section.
• Maintains communication and networks outside the Forensic Services Section to further the Section's mission; participates in professional forums; communicates professionally with peers and customers.

EXAMPLES OF OTHER DUTIES

• Works with other Forensic Services Technicians.
• May train and advise other departmental personnel.
• May attend training sessions, participate in seminars and conferences, and testify in local and out-of-state courts.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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

Requirements

Qualifications

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biological or physical science, criminalistics, criminal justice, law enforcement, digital forensics, or a related field, plus four years of experience in forensics, computer forensics, or evidence collection.
• (Qualifying education beyond a bachelor's degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of one year for the required experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to four years for the required education.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Knowledge of scientific principles, standard laboratory procedures, the rules of admissibility of evidence, and chain of custody.
• Knowledge of the theory and operation of chemicals, instruments, and equipment used in a forensic laboratory or other forensic science setting, e.g., crime scenes.
• Discipline-specific, technical knowledge of techniques for forensic sciences concerning identification, collection, analysis, and preservation of physical and digital evidence and documentation of crime scenes.
• Knowledge of ethical and quality assurance standards for crime scene investigation. Knowledge of criminal investigative procedures and the criminal justice system concerning the application of forensic science, including testifying.
• Knowledge of discipline-specific regulations and resources.
• Knowledge of the organization and structure of law enforcement agencies and court systems.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Skill in handling physical evidence and applying correct methods and techniques for identifying, collecting, and preserving physical and digital evidence and documentation of crime scenes.
• Skill in conducting analyses, analyzing test data and drawing accurate conclusions in accordance with approved procedures.
• Skill in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting instrumentation and other specialized equipment to ensure integrity of results.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records, preparing and presenting detailed documentation of analysis and results of analysis.
• Skill in preparing and conducting discipline specific technical training.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to provide expert or other testimony in court.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to legally access appropriate State and Federal databases.
• Ability to train and instruct others in discipline specific technical knowledge.
• Ability to develop and recommend changes in procedures methods and policies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, law enforcement and legal system personnel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Thorough knowledge of scientific principles, standard laboratory procedures, the rules of admissibility of evidence and chain of custody.
• Thorough knowledge of the theory and operation of chemicals, instruments and equipment used in a forensic laboratory or other forensic science setting, e.g., crime scenes.
• Thorough, discipline specific, technical knowledge of techniques for forensic sciences concerning identification, collection, analysis and preservation of physical and digital evidence and documentation of crime scenes.
• Thorough knowledge of ethical and quality assurance standards for crime scene investigation.
• Thorough knowledge of criminal investigative procedures and the criminal justice system concerning the application of forensic science, including testifying.
• Thorough knowledge of discipline specific regulations and resources.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization and structure of law enforcement agencies and court systems.
• Skill in training and instructing others in discipline specific technical knowledge.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, law enforcement and legal system personnel.
• In addition to new employee training provided by Baltimore County, employees will be provided information and or training specific to the Forensic Services Section of the Baltimore County Police Department, including but not limited to the following: ethics, safety, quality assurance and laboratory management information system.
• As applicable, prior to performing casework, the employee will be provided a documented training program to ensure they have the opportunity to gain the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their assigned task(s).

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a non-commercial, class C Maryland driver's license is required at the time of appointment.
• Other licenses and certifications may be required within a year of appointment.

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