Criminalist

Duties

To perform a variety of professional duties in the collection and preservation of criminal evidence; to obtain latent fingerprints and other evidential material at crime scenes; to analyze and compare evidence; and to perform other technical and professional duties related to assigned area of responsibility.

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

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of criminal investigations, identifications and analysis.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations pertaining to rules of evidence, arrest and prosecution of criminals.
• Advanced uses, maintenance and care of a variety of equipment including cameras and photography.
• Principles and practices of report writing.
• Principles and practices of fingerprint identification, forensic pathology and firearms.
• Safe work practices and occupational hazards of the job.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Investigative resources, procedures and methods.
• State of Ohio Criminal Law including State of Ohio Penal Code, State of Ohio Code of Criminal Procedure and State of Ohio Family Code.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of analyses and physical comparisons to assist in preservation and detection of crime scene evidence.
• Prepare detailed technical reports regarding findings and conclusions.
• Effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to hazardous chemicals, drugs and poisons.
• Correctly interpret and apply the laws, codes, policies and procedures related to the processing of crime scene evidence.
• Act as an expert witness in court room proceedings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Required Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Sciences, Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Criminalistics. Experience working in internships in crime labs, medical examiners' facilities, toxicology labs or in a forensic discipline or related field is preferred.
OR
• Four years of experience in fingerprint classification and comparison, including qualification as an expert in fingerprint identification for the purpose of testifying in court.
• Each applicant must have successfully completed forty hours of basic fingerprint classification instruction and forty hours of latent training at an accredited school.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver's license.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours.
• Must undergo an extensive background check and multiple interviews.

MILITARY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

• Military education and experience may be substituted for college level course work at the lower and upper division baccalaureate and graduate levels and apprenticeship training at the vocational certificate level on a case by case basis based on the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide recommendations.

Working and Physical Conditions

• Environmental Conditions: Travel from site to site; office, laboratory, courtroom and/or emergency peace control environment; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials, potentially hostile environments, human or animal body fluids; noise, dust, smoke, fumes and/or gases, inclement weather conditions.
• Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate or light lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; walking, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time; visual acuity; general manual and physical dexterity.

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