Forensic Technician

Duties

• Responds to crime scenes, traffic crashes, arson investigations, and/or Medical Examiner’s or Coroner’s office, when requested, to photograph and conduct detailed inspections for the presence of evidence and properly process all evidence, such as latent prints, footwear and tire impressions, firearms evidence, blood and other physiological fluids and bodily tissue, controlled substances and trace evidence such as hair, fibers, and gunshot residue. Prepares sketches and finished diagrams using diagramming software and writes detailed investigative reports of all evidence processing that was completed.
• Preserves, collects, packages, and transports any physical evidence from crime scenes, to facilitate its maximum potential for use in subsequent criminal or civil proceedings and ensures that the evidentiary chain of custody is not compromised. Ensures that evidence requiring special processing and/or laboratory analysis is handled promptly and properly, including in-house state-certified cannabis analysis. Obtains comparison exemplars from suspects and victims, such as fingerprints, palm prints, buccal swabs, and any other type of similar evidence that may be required for comparison.
• Evaluates potential latent print surfaces, conducts latent fingerprinting processing, and ensures that analysis is handled promptly; evaluate latent fingerprint and/or palm print evidence for identification suitability.
• Ensures the proper storage and processing of evidence and property recovered or turned over to the Police Department; transports all evidence requiring forensic testing to the appropriate crime laboratory promptly and properly. Releases any evidence needed in court to officers and releases evidence or property to owners by departmental policy and state statutes. Ensures all evidence submitted into custody is properly sealed, labeled, and packaged to ensure the integrity of the evidence and property. Exercises proper security measures over evidence and property to ensure the integrity of the chain of custody and notifies immediately appropriate supervisor in writing, of any irregularities in operations.
• Conducts regular audits, inspections, and case reviews as required by department policy for timely disposal of evidence and property, destroys items in-house when appropriate, or coordinates the transportation and off-site destruction of old ammunition, firearms, illegal drugs, and biohazard-contaminated items. Conducts non-scheduled 100% audits of the firearms, currency, and drugs in custody.
• Communicates with sworn officers, coworkers, supervisors, and a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, processing crime scenes, explaining procedures, and handling complaints. Directs other civilian or public employees at the scenes of crimes, accidents, disasters, or other situations is required for the preservation of evidence conveys accurately specialized job assignment expertise, and aids other department members when appropriate.
• Provides input to attorneys regarding submittal of photographs, physical evidence, and diagrams, and testifies as an expert witness in civil and criminal courts, pretrial conferences, and grand juries. Provides photographs and/or any digital media as required for court, investigation, or subpoenas.
• Operates and maintains the computerized property management system. Schedules regular software updates to the evidence and property database. Contacts database customer support when necessary to ensure evidence database integrity and timely repair. Provides detailed property reports when requested.
• Sustains a liaison with the State of Illinois crime laboratory and other support facilities utilized by the police department.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• This position involves regular shift work, necessary to provide forensic services. Work shifts are normally 8 hours in duration but may be extended in the event of an emergency, disaster, personnel shortage, workload, or work-in-progress. The position is subject to on-call scheduling.

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

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in forensic science, criminal justice, or a related field.
• A minimum of two years of experience as a crime scene technician, evidence technician, or comparable field. Or an equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Minimum 40 hours of Basic Forensic Technician training and minimum 40 hours of photographic training from an accredited training facility preferred or ability to obtain within one year of the date of hire.
• Certification as a Crime Scene Investigator through the International Association for Identification preferred or ability to obtain within two years of the date of hire.
• Proficiency in the operations of a property control system with emphasis on a computerized Bar Code system preferred or ability to obtain within one year of the date of hire.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Proficiency with current computer software systems, job-specific software, and customer service systems.

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