Police Scene Technician I

Duties

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Respond to and process crime and traffic accident scenes, including securing the scene and evidence from contamination, collecting, identifying, and preserving evidence; search for and lift fingerprints; collect body fluids and clothing; make plaster impressions; attend autopsies.
• Photograph, videotape, sketch, and diagram crime and traffic accident scenes to ensure documentation of scenes and evidence; interview and/or refer citizens for follow-up with sworn personnel and/or referral to other sources; prepare reports and maintain records of scenes and evidence collected.
• Reconstruct traffic accident scenes by analyzing evidence and scene diagrams; calculate involved vehicle speeds by using collected data and standard collision analysis techniques; and perform time/distance analysis.
• Process, evaluate, and analyze evidence and perform preliminary tests to identify various types of substances including narcotic and toxic substances; determine findings in comparing physical evidence; forward evidence for further examination and analysis as necessary.
• Coordinate with major crime laboratories; determine which evidence to be referred and reason for the referral; prepare and deliver evidence for analysis and processing by others; receive, log, and distribute packages delivered to the department.
• Process evidence for latent and known fingerprints; compare fingerprints with records on file.
• Prepare evidence, exhibits and reports for use in court, at hearings or depositions; give testimony regarding criminal cases or traffic accident investigations.
• Prepare a variety of narrative and statistical reports related to crime and traffic scene processing and evidence collection.
• Order and maintain supplies needed for crime and traffic scene evidence collection; stock and maintain fingerprint kits and related evidence-collection materials in patrol units and at the City jail.
• Provide training to department personnel on crime and traffic accident scene protection, evidence collection, documentation, and processing without contamination, and related safety and technical methods.
• May assist in operation of City property and evidence facility; receive, document, and preserve property and evidence; ensure chain of custody rules and procedures are followed; maintain accurate logs, records and files related to receipt, storage, control, and inventory of property and evidence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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

Requirements

Experience:

• No experience is required.
• One year of experience in a law enforcement agency performing technical support duties is highly desirable.

AND
Training:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, GED, or higher level degree.
• Additional course work or training in forensic science or crime scene investigation is highly desirable.

AND
License or Certificate

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license by date of appointment.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certificates within first 12 months of employment.

Knowledge of:

• Basic techniques and practices of crime and traffic accident scene investigation and analysis, including evidence identification, collection, preservation, and traffic accident scene investigation.
• Basic techniques and practices of chain of custody rules used in law enforcement property and evidence collection and preservation.
• Accepted law enforcement procedures, operations, and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of photography, video taping, and photographic equipment, and related processing techniques and equipment.
• Basic fingerprint identification techniques, comparisons, and classification systems.
• Methods and techniques of technical report writing.
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers and related software applications.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Learn to investigate crimes and traffic accidents and to collect and secure related evidence.
• On a continuous basis, analyze crime or traffic accident sites/field situations; develop evidence to be processed; identify, interpret, explain, and enforce evidentiary and other police procedures; review and interpret case reports; know and understand the operations of crime and accident scene investigations; and maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On a continuous basis while in the field, walk, stand, climb, and bend. Occasionally kneel; write or use keyboard to communicate; and lift or carry weight of 50 pounds or less.
• Learn to observe and document details at crime and traffic accident scenes; take accurate measurements; draw detailed and accurate sketches or diagrams that present graphic representations of crime and/or accident scenes and show spatial relationships.
• Learn to collect, process, and analyze evidence (without contamination); use testing and photographic equipment commonly used in analyzing physical evidence; take, classify, analyze, and identify fingerprints.
• Learn to operate a video camera and operate other photographic camera and equipment at crime and accident scenes; digitally archive photographic and/or video film as necessary; care for and maintain related equipment.
• Work in a variety of field conditions, including crime and traffic accident scenes, homicides, shootings, deaths, and autopsies; work with occasional exposure to airborne and contact pathogens, bio-hazardous conditions such as blood or bodily fluids, and unidentified chemicals or narcotics.
• Learn to prepare evidence, exhibits and reports for use in court; provide expert and effective testimony in court, or at related hearings and civil depositions.
• Prepare technical reports related to crime and traffic accident scene investigation.
• Preserve confidentiality of sensitive material routinely encountered as part of work.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including computers and related software applications used in law enforcement communications and information access and retrieval systems.
• Work on-call, overtime, evenings, weekends, and holidays, as assigned or required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

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