Crime Scene Unit Technician

Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Conducts crime scene searches, including collecting, processing, and maintaining custody, care, and control of all evidence obtained from the scene.
• Photographs and sketches major crime scenes.
• Submits evidence to qualified forensic laboratories and receives returned evidence for court presentation.
• Retrieves fingerprints for crime scenes and other officers and compares them with suspects' fingerprints.
• Receives fingerprint cards of newly incarcerated offenders from Records Division.
• Classifies fingerprint cards and enters classification in the computer for further reference.
• Retrieves fingerprint cards of suspects for comparison with latent prints.
• Photographs latent and rolled fingerprints for court presentation.
• Maintains and utilizes official surveillance equipment as needed.
• Testifies in court regarding fingerprint evidence, as well as "pen packs" on the punishment phase of criminal cases.
• Classifies, registers, and enters fingerprints into the Office of Public Safety's Automated fingerprint identification System (AFIS).
• Enters unknown prints in AFIS.
• Retrieves and manages prints already entered in AFIS.
• Photographs crime and other scenes, including overseeing the development and printing of film.
• Maintains files of crime scene negatives.
• Prints mug shots and constructs photo line-ups for investigators using X-ray image.
• Copies photographs as needed,
• Performs handwriting analysis, including examining, and comparing handwriting for various agencies, maintaining files of handwriting analysis, and testifying in court on related matters.
• Assists with narcotics searches, including collecting, preserving, submitting, and maintaining custody of all evidence.
• Handies all evidence received by the Sheriff's Office, including filing, organizing for court
• presentation, maintaining records of all evidence for the disposition of property, disposing of evidence, and maintaining security of evidence.
• Attends all autopsies for photographs, fingerprints, and evidence removed by the pathologist.
• Instructs training classes on crime scenes, fingerprints, evidence, and other issues.
• Assists other divisions, sections, or personnel in the office as needed or directed.
• Shall be assigned to on-call duty within CSU investigators.

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

Requirements

Qualifications, Education, and/or experience

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma/graduation or its equivalent.

• Preferred Bachelor's Degree in forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Additional certification may be required.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and deductive reasoning skills.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Able to operate specialized computer software and photographic equipment.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to workday and night shifts, and over weekends.
• Ability to travel.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Crime Scene Investigators need to be familiar with procedures such as processing evidence, testifying in court, and standard office practices and procedures.

SKILL/ABILITY TO

• Operate computers; write reports, letters, and other documents using proper format and grammar. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; physically restrain other individuals; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and their families, and the public.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must have valid Texas driver's license.

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