Job Description
Duties and Requirements Click to read more
Duties
Job Responsibilities
Provide scientific expertise through the examination and/or collection of evidence, analysis of physical evidence using accepted and validated methods and analytical instrumentation, preserving evidence and the chain of custody according to laboratory procedures, interpreting observations and test results, preparing written opinion reports, and testifying as an expert witness in courts of law.
- Participate in the crime scene on-call rotation; respond to crime scenes and search warrants when requested to document, collect, and preserve evidence in accordance with established Crime Lab policies and procedures.
- In an assigned discipline, examine and analyze evidence, selecting appropriate methods, techniques, and instruments.
- Assist the Traffic Crash Investigators with documenting vehicle inspections conducted on site or in the field.
- Prepare detailed investigation and laboratory reports; assemble and organize statements, evidence, and exhibits for presentation in court and before a grand jury; and attend court and grand jury proceedings and present evidence and testimony effectively based on expert opinion of findings.
- Provide peer review and participate in proficiency testing to maintain expertise.
- Assist the Police Evidence Technician by releasing evidence and property to persons authorized to receive it; and in their absence, receive and enter evidence into the computerized system and place the evidence into a proper storage location. Assist with evidence inventory as assigned.
- Train law enforcement personnel, crime lab personnel, and community groups in proper techniques and procedures of recognition and preservation of physical evidence and in general criminalistics. Assist in the training of forensic lab personnel and other law enforcement officials regarding processes and procedures specific to collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence. Participate in the development and presentation of training programs, as well as prepare and conduct classroom and field instruction and demonstrations.
- Assist the state’s attorney’s office in preparation of specialized diagrams or other displays for use in trials resulting from activities at major crime scenes or in the course of analysis of casework.
- Work at the direction of the Incident Commander, Supervisor, or Detective in charge to share essential tasks that must be completed, including attending autopsies (when requested to), photograph them, and collect any appropriate evidence. Cooperate with other law enforcement agencies and the coroner’s office in conducting investigations.
- May perform scientific research.
- Attend seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as directed by leadership to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of criminal investigations, law enforcement administration, and forensic investigation methods and techniques.
- Seek and maintain certification(s) in applicable discipline(s).
- May assist in setting up workload schedules or “rush” case assignments.
- Operate City vehicles, forklifts, mobile vehicle lift systems, and WAVE equipment.
- Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.
Requirements
Minimum qualifications for Forensic Specialist I:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in criminalistics, natural science, forensic science, or a related field; or any such combination of experience, education, and training that may be acceptable to the hiring authority.
- Must possess or be able to obtain prior to hire a valid driver’s license. Must be willing to work variable and unusual hours on an on-call basis.
Minimum qualifications for Forensic Specialist II:
Qualifications of Forensic Specialist I plus all of the following:
- Five years’ technical experience in a forensic science laboratory performing analyses of physical evidence, including complex casework.
- Being fully trained and demonstrating proficiency in at least one of their assigned forensic disciplines. Proficiency can be established by a number of methods to include certification by the IAI or other nationally recognized certifying board, and/or successfully completing a proficiency test in field(s) of forensic science by a nationally recognized outside vendor.
- Testifying as an expert witness in courts of law.
Supplemental Information
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others in writing and interpersonally. Ability to prepare comprehensive and detailed written reports.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, and interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written, spoken (including video), or diagram form.
- Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office-based business software and related applications.
- Effective organizational skills, including ability to multitask and manage multiple projects and adaptability to changing priorities to meet demands.
- Ability to keep the integrity of evidence and information related to laboratory casework or gathered at crime scenes intact and complete. Maintain confidentiality of information, unless release of information is approved by the appropriate supervisory personnel.
- Ability to work both indoors and outdoors under variable outdoor weather conditions, variable environmental conditions, and in difficult circumstances and/or unpleasant conditions, including violent crime scenes with injured, deceased, or emotionally distraught crime victims.
- Ability to visually examine different environments and locations to identify and process evidence. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus and inspect small detailed objects.
- Ability to develop and conduct training seminars and make presentations.
- Ability to operate photographic and video recording equipment. Working knowledge of modern photography techniques and technologies and process photographic and video medias.
- Familiarity with and ability to refer to both the Laboratory Management System (LMS) and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Evidence Packaging Manual as guides to common practice and special requirements for different types of evidence.
- Ability to achieve and maintain acceptance in district court as an authority on evidence identification, documentation, analysis, and interpretation.
- Ability to follow safety guidelines for work with specialized equipment and chemicals, both in the field and in the crime lab.
- Ability to document procedures, participate in proficiency testing, and establish a peer review system for job functions to maintain forensic laboratory accreditation.
- Must have mobility and ability to perform job duties at various locations throughout the city on a regular basis.
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