Crime Scene Investigator

Duties

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job:

• Responsible for the recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of all physical evidence pertinent to the investigation of a criminal act.
• Examines crime scenes to discover, preserve, collect, photograph, video and identify physical evidence.
• Communicates extensively with uniformed officers and investigators to determine the nature and extent of crimes and shares information/findings with investigators.
• May fingerprint persons or deceased persons using ink pads or specialized tools.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the latest crime scene techniques and available resources.
• Interprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of law.
• Prepares sketches and diagrams to include dimensions of a crime scene and to establish location of evidence and relationships of all relevant data.
• Prepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedings.
• Documents, handles, packages, and receipts evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with established forensic practices under state and federal laws.
• Directs law enforcement personnel at crime scenes to ensure continuity and preservation of evidence.
• Appears in court as an expert witness, as required.
• Instructs other agency members in Criminalistics, crime scene processing and training seminars, to include outside law enforcement agencies under mutual aid requests.
• Makes presumptive field tests of suspected illegal drugs to determine type.
• May be assigned to train new employees and/or act as a trainer to coworkers in specific specialty areas.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment, including commonly used computer software programs required by the position.
• Is available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Sheriff’s Office determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Is available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the Sheriff’s Office determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Performs duties both in the office and in the field.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of modern forensic laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal acts, methods of operation and investigative procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of all areas of Criminalistics.
• Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of various chemical and physical techniques for development of latent prints.
• Knowledge of law enforcement accreditation standards at the Sheriff’s Office.
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
• Skill in the use of laboratory and photographic equipment and materials.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by the position.
• Ability to give acceptable expert testimony in a court of law.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English, to include public speaking.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Ability to get along well with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years' experience performing crime scene duties in a law enforcement agency.
• OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science, Natural Science, Criminalistics or a closely related field.
• EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years’ experience performing crime scene duties and IAI certification in Crime Scene Investigations.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification within the initial probationary period.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's License.
• Must be available for on-call work schedule assignments that require working nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must successfully complete the initial probationary period and training.

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