Crime Scene Investigator

Duties

How does it get done?

• Document suspects, victims, and subjects of crimes for potential evidence through photographing and diagramming scenes using tape measure, roll-a-tape, and survey instruments including total stations, laser scanners, and drones.
• Locate, process, and preserve evidence: latent evidence, biological evidence, trace evidence, fingerprint evidence
• Establish working relationships with assisting agencies and comply with the Department of Public Safety policies and procedures to include New Mexico laws and to maintain proper chain of custody.
• Safely operate and maintain a clean and stocked assigned crime scene team vehicle.
• Cooperate with and assist regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
• May be called to testify in courts or administrative hearings.

Ideal Candidate

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Entomology, Photography, Biology, or Physics or other related field and two (2) years of experience in a related field. Must successfully complete the CST Field Training Officer program within 12 months of hire. Must possess a New Mexico class D driver's license at the time of hire. Due to the sensitive nature of the position, the applicant must: be at least 21 years of age, pass a polygraph, pass a thorough background investigation, and have no felony convictions.

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

Requirements

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education.

Employment Requirements

• Candidates are subject to a national fingerprint-based record check, within 30 days of assignment. Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy. In addition, employment is subject to pre-employment and post-employment random drug/alcohol testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing and is conditional pending results.
• This Classification is designated as safety sensitive and subject to random drug and alcohol screening. Due to the sensitive nature of the position, the applicant must pass a polygraph and a thorough background investigation. Applicant must have no felony convictions. They must successfully complete the CST Field Training Officer program within 12 months of hire and must possess a New Mexico class D driver's license at the time of hire and be at least 21 years of age. Conditions of employment for the individual in this classification will vary based on the agency's utilization, essential functions and the recruitment need at the time a vacancy is posted.

Working Conditions

• Significant personal demands include shift work, 24/7 on-call status, including weekends and holidays. Fast paced work environment with competing demands, strict deadlines, multiple tasks, and exposure to the criminal element. Required to travel out of town without prior notice for classes and special assignments. Attentiveness and intensity are critical to ensure accuracy and to minimize errors. Working Conditions for individual positions in this classification will vary based on each agency's utilization, essential functions and the recruitment needs at the time a vacancy is posted. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

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