Part Time Forensic Specialist I/II

Duties and Requirements Click to read more

Duties

The Forensic Specialist II is the full journey-level class within the job series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Forensic Specialist I by being a fingerprint expert and the performance of the full range of duties, as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This level is fully qualified to work in the field, independent of supervision, even on the most complex cases and is expected to give expert testimony in court. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Forensics Specialist I level.

The Forensic Specialist I is the entry-level class within the forensic series. Prior experience taking and developing crime scene photos as well as lifting latent prints is required. Working under moderate supervision, this class is distinguished from the Forensic Specialist II by the performance of the more routine or less complex tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Gathering, preserving, interpreting and presenting crime scene evidence or processing evidence in the lab is done under close review of a supervisor and/or a full journey level Forensic Specialist II. Court testimony is limited to presentation of crime scene evidence.

Essential Functions
The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Conducts crime scene investigations to recognize, search for, document, develop, enhance, collect and preserve all types of evidence.
• Records or visualizes physical or trace evidence through such photographic techniques as macro, micro, infrared, and ultraviolet photography and the use of alternate light sources.
• Collects, photographs and preserves fingerprints, palm prints, and other types of body prints.
• May perform aerial photography assignments.
• Develops, enhances, preserves, photographs and collects fingerprints, palm prints, and other types of body prints, using various visual, physical, chemical and other scientific methods.
• Collects fingerprints and other evidence and takes photographs of deceased victims in various stages of decomposition.
• Takes various types of photographs and videos of persons and objects. Downloads, enhances, prints, enlarges and mounts color and black & white photographs.
• Photograph and prepares castings of tire impressions, foot impressions, hand impressions, tool and other types of impressions. Analyzes and prepares conclusions of evidence for use in court testimony.
• Operates digital, film, and video camera equipment and other specialized equipment in the recording, development, enhancement, collection and presentation of crime scene evidence.
• Prepares hand drawn and computer generated sketches and diagrams.
• Performs various types of specialized tests, such as gunshot residue tests, suspect rape exams, fingernail swabs & scrapings and DNA collection.
• Prepares and maintains detailed reports and records. Prepares in-depth reports and accompanying evidence for court presentation. Reconstructs crime scenes.
• Serves as the recognized expert in court in the presentation and verification of collected evidence such as bloodstain interpretation, projectile trajectory, fingerprints, photography, and diagramming.
• In addition to the above essential job functions, the Forensic Specialist II:
• Guides, trains and instructs less experienced personnel in the various assigned duties of the position.
• Collects, photographs, preserves, compares and identifies fingerprints, palm prints and other types of body prints and performs basic analysis of blood, ballistic, narcotic and other types of physical evidence. Performs physical match comparisons. Enters latent prints into AFIS computer system. Performs quality control on fingerprints in the AFIS system.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required

Requirements

Qualifications
Experience and Training Guidelines: Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities are as follows:

Forensic Specialist II
Experience: Journey-level experience in the field of forensic science, crime scene investigation and latent/10-print fingerprint comparisons, including experience providing expert witness testimony in crime scene investigation and latent/10-print fingerprint comparisons.

Forensic Specialist I Experience: Responsible experience in taking and processing photographs and lifting fingerprints from a crime scene or evidence.

Knowledge of: In addition to the knowledge requirements listed under Forensic Specialist I, the following additional knowledge is required. Thorough working knowledge of crime scene and laboratory unit including recognition, collection, preservation and interpretation of all types of evidence; current technology in processing and interpreting firearms, bloodstains and bullet trajectory; processes used to classify latent prints and methods used for automated search and retrieval (AFIS); comparing and identifying inked prints and latent prints; type and content of testimony which constitutes being an expert witness in the comparison of inked and latent prints and crime scene investigation

Ability to: In addition the abilities listed under Forensic Specialist I, the following additional abilities are required: Independently and accurately conduct crime scene investigations; recognize, search for, collect and preserve all types of evidence; effectively use such photographic techniques as macro, micro, infrared, ultraviolet and alternate light source (laser) to record or visualize physical or trace evidence; collect, photograph, preserve, classify and identify fingerprints, palm prints and other types of body prints; use an AFIS computer system to process, search and interpret latent prints; collect, photograph, preserve, identify and perform basic analysis of bloodstains, ballistic, narcotic and other types of physical evidence and perform physical match comparisons; prepare castings or moulages of various impressions, analyze and prepare conclusions for use in court testimony; prepare accurate, concise and thorough written crime scene reports; effectively reconstruct crime scenes; effectively testify in court as an expert witness regarding crime scene evidence and latent /10-print fingerprint comparisons; effectively give instruction and guidance to less qualified forensic personnel in the field; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain accurate and complete files and records; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.

License/Certification Required:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License by date of appointment.
• Possession of a valid International Association for Identification (IAI) certification, such as a Crime Scene Certification (Certified Crime Scene Investigator) or Latent Print Certification is desirable.

Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!