Major Investigations - Forensic Specialist Trainee I/II/III

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, makes fingerprint evaluations and comparisons, processes evidence, processes crime scenes, prepares reports, assists in training police personnel, testifies as an expert witness, and performs other activities in support of the Police Department.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Forensic Specialist Trainee and Forensic Specialist I exercise no supervision.

Forensic Specialist II and III may exercise limited technical and functional supervision over sworn and non-sworn personnel.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Processes crime scenes by taking photographs, scanning/video recording scenes, prepare scene sketches, collecting, preserving, logging, packaging and inventorying evidence, and preparing detailed reports.

Analyzes and evaluates latent fingerprints; conducts fingerprint comparisons.

Utilizes the Leica RTC360 scanner to map crime scenes and produce a deliverable file of the mapped crime scene.

Handle and operate firearms in a safe manner.

Mixes and uses chemicals to process evidence; use alternate light sources to locate latent prints, serological, biological fluids and trace evidence.

Operates the AFIX Tracker database and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to develop candidate lists for comparisons to latent prints.

Reviews lab reports.

Reconstructs major crime scenes using advanced forensic techniques such as blood spatter interpretation, shooting trajectory, etc.

Testifies in court as an expert witness regarding crime scene processing and fingerprint comparisons.

Responds to crime scenes and emergency situations during regular work hours, evenings and weekends.

Maintains laboratory supplies for the Forensic Unit and ensures the lab and equipment are clean and functional.

Ensures all divisions in the police department have an adequate supply of crime scene processing materials to ensure evidence is processed and lab requests are completed in a timely manner.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to attend trainings, meetings, conferences, and court cases.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Provides training classes for police personnel, police academies, and public safety demonstrations.

Research scientific articles regarding Forensic Discipline.

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency.

General law enforcement codes, practices and methods.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Basic principles of chemistry, physics, and biology.

Principles of report preparation.

Basic principles of budget preparation.

Skill to:

Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

Operate a variety of tools and equipment including alternate light source, digital camera, super glue chamber, fingerprint magnifier, fingerprint processing equipment, fume hood, laser scanner, and fingerprint identification systems.

Operate hand tools or power tools to perform job functions.

Ability to:

Work independently or with a team.

Work courteously with the general public.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct reports.

Work in unpleasant crime and accident scenes and under pressure.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Organize and manage time efficiently.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Forensic Specialist II and III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.  Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Forensic Specialist Trainee

Experience:

Previous work experience in the criminal justice field or in a laboratory setting is preferred.

Education/Training:

Graduation from an accredited university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science or related field is required. A minimum of five consecutive years in law enforcement can substitute this requirement.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Forensic Specialist I

Experience:

Two (2) years of work experience in the criminal justice field or in a laboratory setting is required.

Completion of six months’ work experience equivalent to the City of Abilene Forensic Specialist Trainee is required. 

Education/Training:

Graduation from an accredited university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science or related field is required. A minimum of five consecutive years in law enforcement can substitute this requirement.

Satisfactory completion of a 40-hour Basic and a 40-hour Intermediate Level Latent Print courses, which meets International Association for Identification (IAI) standards is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Forensic Specialist II

Experience:

Satisfactory completion of two (2) years of work experience in a position equivalent to the Forensic Specialist I in the criminal justice field or in a related laboratory setting is required. 

Education/Training:

Graduation from an accredited university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science or related field is required. A minimum of five consecutive years in law enforcement may substitute this requirement.

Satisfactory completion of a 40-hour Advance Level Latent Print course and a Palm Print Comparison course, which meets International Association for Identification (IAI) standards is required.

Satisfactory completion of the Texas Department of Public Safety Automated Fingerprint Identification System course is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

Forensic Specialist III

Experience:

Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a position equivalent to the Forensic Specialist I/II in the criminal justice field or in a laboratory setting is required.

Education/Training:

Graduation from an accredited university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science or related field is required. A minimum of five consecutive years in law enforcement can substitute this requirement.

Satisfactory completion of coursework and apprenticeship required by the International Association for Identification (IAI) for Latent Print Examiner and Crime Scene Certifications are required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

A IAI Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) or Crime Scene (CCSI, CCSA, CSCSA) Certification is required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Bloodborne Pathogens training, HazCom training, and HIPAA Compliance training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.

Work varied shifts, including weekends, as required and respond to after-hour calls within 30 minutes.

Exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, varying terrains, confining workspace, and chemicals.

Successfully complete the required forensic training program and obtain all required certifications.

Ability to visually compare minute details without fatigue during day and nighttime lighting.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___     Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___     Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_X_     Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___     Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___     Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:  The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N         =          No

E         =          Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M         =          Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I           =          Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A         =          Almost Never (<10% of the time)

Code / Task

_M_    Standing

_E_     Sitting

_M_    Walking

_I_       Lifting

_I_       Carrying

_A_     Pushing/Pulling

_A_     Overhead Work

_I_       Fine Dexterity

_M_    Kneeling

_M_    Crouching

_A_     Crawling

_M_    Bending

_A_     Twisting

_A_     Climbing

_A_     Balancing

_E_     Vision

_E_     Hearing

_E_     Talking

___     Other:  _____________________