Crime Scene Investigator

City of Costa Mesa; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Costa Mesa is seeking a full-time Crime Scene Technician to perform specialized technical duties at crime scenes, including collecting, protecting, and preserving evidence for criminal prosecution.

You will document scenes with photographs, videos, diagrams, and reports; testify in court as required; and assist with fingerprinting, DNA collection, and evidence processing under supervision.

Qualifications

• Experience with collecting and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes.
• Ability to document scenes using photos, diagrams, and reports.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Identify and preserve evidence at crime scenes.
• Process crime scenes for latent fingerprints and compare prints.
• Take photographs and collect buccal swabs and prints.
• Prepare records, reports, and testify in court as needed.
• Assist supervisor and transport evidence to lab.

Skills

Photography

Evidence handling

Documentation

Court testimony

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

College coursework in Police Science or related field

Tools

Cameras

Latent print processing

DNA collection

Job description

Description

There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy.

Under general supervision, to perform a variety of specialized technical duties involved in processing crime scenes including collecting, protecting, and preserving evidence for criminal prosecution; and to maintain records and prepare reports regarding activities.

Essential Functions

• Identify, document, collect, protect, and preserve any material or substance as physical evidence at crime scenes and other locations using a variety of specialized equipment and techniques for the purpose of criminal prosecution.
• Process crime scene for latent fingerprints and conduct latent print comparisons and Cal-ID entries.
• Perform basic presumptive tests for blood, narcotics, and other types of physical evidence.
• Document crime scenes with photographs, video recordings, diagrams, and reports.
• Take various types of photographs of physical evidence, recovered property, and persons including injuries to the body.
• Collect buccal (DNA) swabs, finger and palm prints from victim(s), suspect(s) and other individuals when deemed necessary.
• Process major case suspect(s) which includes photography, buccal (DNA) swabs, finger/palm print collection and when necessary suspect rape kit collection.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records, reports, and schedules including those regarding the detection, protection, collection, and preservation of physical evidence in a crime scene; testify in court as necessary regarding findings.
• Assist Crime Scene Investigation Supervisor in the processing of evidence and photography.
• Transport physical evidence, drugs, and biological evidence back and forth to the Orange County Crime Lab.
• Perform matron duties when applicable.
• Performs related duties as required.

Education, Training And/Or Experience

• One year of experience in public safety support work. Experience in the collection and preservation of physical evidence, photography, latent prints, identifying items of evidential value, and preparing related written reports is preferred.
• Graduation from high school or its equivalent, supplemented with college-level course work in Police Science or a related field. Specialized training in field collection and preservation of physical evidence, photography, latent prints, or a related field is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

License And/Or Certificate

• Possession or the ability to obtain a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, before the date of appointment. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Requisite Knowledge And Skill Levels

• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of photography and knowledge to make high quality photographic enlargements and court exhibits;
• Knowledge of the operating characteristics of technical equipment including cameras and surveillance camera equipment;
• Knowledge of photo processing machines, and computers; principles, practices, procedures, methods, and techniques used in evidence collection;
• Knowledge of the protection, preservation, photography, and identification of physical evidence;
• Knowledge of fingerprint pattern recognition, classification and the ACE-V process;
• Knowledge of principles, practices, procedures, and techniques of development and lifting latent fingerprints with black powder, other chemicals and photography;
• Knowledge of proper techniques to preserve evidence and handle bio-hazard materials of evidence;
• Knowledge of the procedures, methods, and techniques of rolling suspect and victim finger and palm prints;
• Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment;
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping;
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations;
• Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices;
• Skill in operating modern office equipment, including computer equipment; and a motor vehicle safely.

Requisite Abilities

• Ability to use a variety of specialized equipment and techniques to collect and analyze physical evidence including performing rape kit examinations, gunshot residue collection , making impressions with silicone casting material , and making plaster casts of shoe and tire track impressions;
• Ability to interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions;
• Ability to develop and lift latent fingerprints with black powder and other chemicals;
• Ability to perform responsible evidence collection work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision;
• Ability to investigate criminal misconduct and identify items of evidential value;
• Ability to collect, compile, and preserve evidence and information;
• Ability to interview victims, witnesses, and suspects to obtain information;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information;
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete records;
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports;
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Ability to work various shifts/hours as assigned including early morning, day, evening, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Supplemental Information

To view 2026 benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Employees receive a flexible benefit contribution of $1,800 monthly to use towards benefit elections.

Effective January 2027: The monthly flexible benefit contribution will increase to $2,000

Effective January 2028: The monthly flexible benefit contribution will increase to $2,200

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires employees contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Physical Tasks And Environmental Conditions

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.