Forensic Scientist

Duties

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES ISP FS1:

• Scientific Analyses
• Employ various methods of scientific analysis to make determinations regarding samples submitted as evidence in criminal cases or for individual characteristic database entry.
• Assume responsibility for and maintain the integrity of evidence
• Interpret scientific data and ensure validity
• Author and issue laboratory reports
• Perform technical review and/or technical verification or others work
• Maintain established standards of laboratory cleanliness, safety, and efficiency
• Perform routine maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment
• Maintain specific levels of proficiency and certification in assigned discipline(s)
• Demonstrate proficiency through routine proficiency testing
• May optionally respond to crime scenes, clandestine laboratories, and autopsies to provide assistance, knowledge and expertise, this may include assistance with recognizing, documenting, and collecting evidence/samples for analysis. If approved for crime scene or clandestine laboratory response must complete the specialized training program associated with approval to respond
• Training
• Work closely with advanced forensic scientists to complete the discipline specific specialized training program
• Acquire new skills and improve techniques, perform scientific analysis per the current laboratory protocol, gain greater knowledge of scientific instrumentation
• Communication/courtroom testimony
• Provide detailed explanations/testimony regarding the methods of analysis performed and communicate and support the results of analysis
• Demonstrate concepts and teach cutting-edge technology in courtroom settings
• Educate officers, attorneys, and investigators
• Instruct in the proper techniques and procedures used to collect, maintain, and submit evidence
• Administrative duties
• Respond to supervisors, technical leaders and headquarters staff for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits
• Provide statistical information
• Create goals, objectives, and employee development plan
• Chemistry (controlled substance/fire evidence)
• Performs screening and confirmation of drug samples and/or fire evidence utilizing chemical, microscopic and instrumental analyses.
• Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation for controlled substances
• Authors reports on controlled substance and/or fire debris analyses
• Performs technical review of controlled substance and/or fire debris reports
• Testifies in court about controlled substance and/or fire debris analysis
• Blood Alcohol
• Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation of blood alcohol or other volatiles
• Authors reports on volatiles analyses
• Performs technical review of volatiles reports
• Testifies in court about alcohol or other volatile analysis
• Breath Alcohol
• Performs breath instrument calibration and trouble shooting
• Trains and certifies officers in the methods of performing breath tests for evidentiary use
• Understands and can articulate the limitations and significance of breath test results.
• Knowledge of pharmacology of alcohol
• Authors expert opinion reports
• Performs technical review of expert opinion reports
• Testifies in court about breath alcohol testing

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES ISP FS2:

• Scientific Analyses
• All duties of the FS1
• Conduct complex examinations of evidence and/or individual characteristic database samples
• May optionally respond to crime scenes, clandestine laboratories, and autopsies to provide assistance, knowledge and expertise; this may include assistance with recognizing, documenting, and collecting evidence/samples. If approved for crime scene or clandestine laboratory response must complete the specialized training program associated with approval to respond
• Training
• Complete any required training on new techniques or instrumentation
• Train Forensic Scientists 1 in the utilization of analytical techniques and methods of scientific analyses utilized in the specific discipline
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence
• Provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, and general public
• Communication/courtroom testimony
• All duties of the FS1
• Interpret findings for prosecutors and defense attorneys
• Prepare attorneys for presentation of expert's findings
• Testify as an expert witness in trials and other criminal hearings
• Qualified to offer opinions and answer hypothetical questions
• Train police officers in collection and packaging of evidence; provide background information training for police officers, attorneys, medical personnel and general public as assigned
• Administrative Duties
• Respond to supervisors, technical leaders and headquarters staff for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits
• Provide statistical information
• Create goals, objectives, and employee development plan
• Chemistry (controlled substance/fire evidence)
• Performs screening and confirmation of drug samples and/or fire evidence utilizing chemical, microscopic and instrumental analyses.
• Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation for controlled substances
• Authors reports on controlled substance and/or fire debris analyses
• Performs technical review of controlled substance and/or fire debris reports
• Testifies in court about controlled substance and/or fire debris analysis
• Blood Alcohol
• Performs instrumental analysis and interpretation of blood alcohol or other volatiles
• Authors reports on volatiles analyses
• Performs technical review of volatiles reports
• Testifies in court about alcohol or other volatile analysis
• Breath Alcohol
• Performs breath instrument calibration and trouble shooting
• Trains and certifies officers in the methods of performing breath tests for evidentiary use
• Understands and can articulate the limitations and significance of breath test results.
• Knowledge of pharmacology of alcohol
• Authors expert opinion reports
• Performs technical review of expert opinion reports
• Testifies in court about breath alcohol testing

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

Requirements

Education:

• A Forensic Scientist 1 and Forensic Scientist 2 must meet the minimum education/skills requirements for the discipline(s) in which they are hired to work
• The education of each employee required to possess a secondary degree shall be verified prior to being hired by Forensic Services
• A copy of the college transcript (including specific required coursework) and proof of graduation for all personnel with education requirements listed in the MQ Specialties section must be provided to ISPFS.
• Applicants with education obtained at a foreign institution must, at their expense, have credential evaluated by Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., Milwaukee, WI; International Education Research Foundation, Inc., Los Angeles, CA; or World Education Services, Inc., New York, NY. Reports must be sent directly to ISP Human Resources by the evaluating organization. These degrees may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, in lieu of a US or Canadian degree, upon review of the evaluation report.
• When performing Controlled substance and/or Fire Debris analysis and where applicable, analysts shall meet the requirements specified by the American Board of Criminalistics Drug Analysis Certification eligibility requirements. These requirements can be viewed at https://www.criminalistics.com/
• When performing Blood and/or Breath alcohol analysis and where applicable, analysts shall meet the requirements specified by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology: Forensic Alcohol Toxicology Certification qualification requirements. These requirements can be viewed at https://www.abft.org

Experience: A Forensic Scientist 2 must have at least two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the specified discipline. Qualifying work experience includes:

• Working independently, planning, managing, and prioritizing caseloads or individual characteristic database samples (as applicable), successfully engaging in independent research, evaluation, and validation activities
• Performing and documenting a range of examinations regarding forensic evidence
• Providing training and consultation services to professional criminal justice and scientific audiences
• Testifying as an expert regarding the forensic examinations performed in the specified discipline
• Will be required to obtain specialty certification by the American Board of Criminalistics in Drug Analysis within three (3) years of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 2 position.
• Will be required to obtain Forensic Alcohol Toxicology certification by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology within three (3) years of being selected for or promoted to a Forensic Scientist 2 position.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

• A Forensic Scientist 1 position is an entry level position and is an approved under-fill for the Forensic Scientist 2 classification. Upon completion of the specified specialized discipline training program, approval to perform independent analysis and two (2) years of experience, incumbents may be certified as a Forensic Scientist 2. Incumbents are expected to meet requirements and successfully undergo routine proficiency testing and certification specific to their discipline. Incumbents routinely handle toxic/carcinogenic chemicals and biological hazards and may be exposed to graphic or disturbing images. Circumstances may require physical exertion and the ability to lift heavy objects. They may be required to pass a physical examination in order to participate in clandestine laboratory investigations. This may include periodic biological and medical testing. The incumbent will be certified as an FS2 upon successful completion of a specified training program and two (2) years experience in the FS1 position (or) demonstration of meeting the minimum qualifications and qualifying work experience of an FS2 position and a six-month probationary period of 1,040 hours. Pay will be adjusted accordingly at the time the incumbent is certified as a FS2. Pay range for the FS1 is $25.79 to $40.17 per hour.
• A Forensic Scientist 2 position is the second level in a series of increasingly technical forensic science positions, possessing expertise in one or more forensic science specialty areas. Incumbents are expected to meet requirements and successfully undergo routine proficiency testing and certification specific to their discipline. Incumbents routinely handle toxic/carcinogenic chemicals and biological hazards and may be exposed to graphic or disturbing images. Circumstances may require physical exertion and the ability to lift heavy objects. They may be required to pass a rigorous physical examination in order to participate in clandestine laboratory investigations. This may include periodic biological and medical testing. An experienced scientist who meets the minimum qualifications and *qualifying work experience of the FS2 must successfully complete a qualifying examination and a six-month probationary period of 1,040 hours. Pay will be adjusted accordingly at the time the incumbent is certified as a FS2. Pay range for the FS2 is $29.43 to $51.92 per hour.

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