Crime Scene/Seized Property Specialist

City of Pelham; Pelham (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Pelham in Pelham, AL seeks a highly analytical evidence technician to manage seized property and crime scene processing. You will ensure chain of custody, preserve the integrity of evidence, and coordinate disposition from seizure to final disposition.

Responsibilities include fingerprint analysis, documentation, use of FLEX, and collaboration with investigators and auditors to maintain data accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience handling evidence and maintaining chain of custody.
• Ability to process crime scenes and preserve integrity of the evidence.
• Proficiency with documentation, photography, and sketches.
• Familiarity with automated case management systems and firearms intelligence data.

Responsibilities

• Collect, preserve, process and handle evidence at crime scenes.
• Document crime scenes through photography and sketches.
• Perform latent fingerprint searches and identifications.
• Utilize light sources and methods for detection and collection of evidence.
• Plan and participate in property dispositions and auctions as needed.
• Maintain security of the evidence vault and proper storage records.
• Enter property into FLEX and reconcile cases for audits.
• Collect intelligence for NIBIN and eTrace within required timelines.
• Ensure safety when handling firearms and hazardous materials.

Skills

Evidence handling

Crime scene processing

Fingerprint analysis

Photography & documentation

Data entry accuracy

Public relations

Safety protocols

Communication with auditors

Digital forensics basics

Tools

FLEX

NIBIN

ATF eTrace

Job description

Description

The primary objective of this position is to execute highly technical, specialized, and highly analytical work functions related to the collection, processing, receipt, storage, preservation, and safeguarding of seized property and evidence within the established Departmental policy framework and incompliance with applicable federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations. This position is responsible for crime scene examinations and ensuring the security and chain of custody integrity of all property taken into the Department’s custody, as well as managing the entire lifecycle of such assets from seizure to final disposition.

• Must be able to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Collect, preserve, process and handle evidence at major crime scenes, death scenes, and miscellaneous investigations.
• Perform latent fingerprint searches and submit fingerprint comparisons to make positive identification to determine identity.
• Document crime scenes through photography, accurate sketches, diagrams, and other methods.
• Utilize alternate light sources, chemical and physical processes, scientific methods and equipment for the detection and collection of evidence.
• Evaluate property and evidence for evidentiary value and conduct basic laboratory processing using various processes and techniques.
• Recover, package and preserve electronic devices and media for later examination by the digital forensic investigators.
• Receive, process, store, release and maintain security of a wide variety of property, evidence, and vehicles in accordance with Department policy and state and federal law.
• Maintain security of the evidence vault and restrict access to authorized personnel only.
• Review the property received for storage in the Department’s Evidence Vault to ensure it is properly packaged and all documentation is complete and accurate before accepting it for storage. Reject and return property that is out of compliance to the seizing officer for correction.
• Use the automated case management system (FLEX) to identify to account for all property taken into Department Custody through law enforcement operations.
• Plan, prepare for, and participate in property dispositions, including return, release, auction, and destruction.
• Prepare, plan, and organize auctions, including ordering appraisals, coordinating advertisements, and documenting the proceeds of sale in accordance with Department policy, city ordinance and state law.
• Consign property to be auctioned to the appointed contractor in compliance with established timeframes set by Department policy, city ordinance and state law.
• Destroy property when appropriate by the efficient, effective, safe and environmentally sound methods.
• Maintain all records, including financial records.
• Maintain the highest standards for data entry to ensure the quality, reliability and integrity of the database.
• Prepare seized cash to be deposited into the seized currency bank account.
• Prepare Disbursement Requests for cash to be transferred out of the seized currency bank account.
• Provide necessary reconciliations from FLEX to the City Clerk, Director of Finance, and others as appropriate for monthly reconciliations of the Seized Currency Suspense Account.
• Conduct audits and reviews as directed in Departmental and city policies to ensure the integrity of the Evidence Vault, integrity of the information systems, and compliance with all applicable business practices, policies, procedures, regulation and laws.
• Facilitate and collaborate with other city departments, independent auditors, State Examiners of Public Accounts, and other relevant authorized parties as necessary who are exercising their respective oversight and review authority over the Department’s seized property and evidence programs.
• Collect crime gun intelligence by test firing entering all firearms taken into Department custody into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and the ATF Firearms Tracing System (eTrace) within 14 days from the date of seizure;
• Collect crime gun intelligence by entering all shell casings collected from crime scenes into NIBIN within 14 days of the date of recovery.
• Communicate all relevant crime gun intelligence developed from NIBIN and eTrace to the appropriate investigators by the most expeditious means possible and document the intelligence information through written reports and/or briefings.
• Handle firearms and other hazardous materials safely and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Transport items of evidence to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for lab analysis.
• Develop and provide guidance and formal continuing education to Department employees on the processing of property seized during law enforcement activities.
• Conduct formal crime scene and seized property training for police officer recruits as well as continuing education for all Department personnel.
• Testify in court regarding crime scene examinations; the integrity of property storage, preservation and transportation; chain of custody; and other related subjects.
• Participate in writing grants to support the evidence collection, evidence vault, crime gun intelligence and other relevant programs.
• Maintain awareness of the latest techniques, procedures, practices and trends in the art of law enforcement evidence identification, collection, storage and disposition and make recommendations to evolve the Department’s crime scene processing and evidence storage programs so that they remain state of the art.

Competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of the administration of justice and the role of sufficient, legally admissible evidence plays in the proper functioning of the criminal justice system.
• Thorough knowledge of the processes, techniques, and procedures for the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence at crime scenes.
• Thorough knowledge of the seized asset life cycle from seizure, packaging, securing, preserving, storing, to disposal when no longer needed.
• Thorough knowledge of seized assets, inventory management, and complex asset disposal methods.
• Comprehensive knowledge and mastery of critical thinking skills, advanced analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• General Knowledge or the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Standards relating to Evidence Vault and related program areas.
• Through knowledge of the best business practices for the storage of property taken into Department custody during law enforcement operations.

Description

The primary objective of this position is to execute highly technical, specialized, and highly analytical work functions related to the collection, processing, receipt, storage, preservation, and safeguarding of seized property and evidence within the established Departmental policy framework and incompliance with applicable federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations. This position is responsible for crime scene examinations and ensuring the security and chain of custody integrity of all property taken into the Department’s custody, as well as managing the entire lifecycle of such assets from seizure to final disposition.

• Must be able to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Collect, preserve, process and handle evidence at major crime scenes, death scenes, and miscellaneous investigations.
• Perform latent fingerprint searches and submit fingerprint comparisons to make positive identification to determine identity.
• Document crime scenes through photography, accurate sketches, diagrams, and other methods.
• Utilize alternate light sources, chemical and physical processes, scientific methods and equipment for the detection and collection of evidence.
• Evaluate property and evidence for evidentiary value and conduct basic laboratory processing using various processes and techniques.
• Recover, package and preserve electronic devices and media for later examination by the digital forensic investigators.
• Receive, process, store, release and maintain security of a wide variety of property, evidence, and vehicles in accordance with Department policy and state and federal law.
• Maintain security of the evidence vault and restrict access to authorized personnel only.
• Review the property received for storage in the Department’s Evidence Vault to ensure it is properly packaged and all documentation is complete and accurate before accepting it for storage. Reject and return property that is out of compliance to the seizing officer for correction.
• Use the automated case management system (FLEX) to identify to account for all property taken into Department Custody through law enforcement operations.
• Plan, prepare for, and participate in property dispositions, including return, release, auction, and destruction.
• Prepare, plan, and organize auctions, including ordering appraisals, coordinating advertisements, and documenting the proceeds of sale in accordance with Department policy, city ordinance and state law.
• Consign property to be auctioned to the appointed contractor in compliance with established timeframes set by Department policy, city ordinance and state law.
• Destroy property when appropriate by the efficient, effective, safe and environmentally sound methods.
• Maintain all records, including financial records.
• Maintain the highest standards for data entry to ensure the quality, reliability and integrity of the database.
• Prepare seized cash to be deposited into the seized currency bank account.
• Prepare Disbursement Requests for cash to be transferred out of the seized currency bank account.
• Provide necessary reconciliations from FLEX to the City Clerk, Director of Finance, and others as appropriate for monthly reconciliations of the Seized Currency Suspense Account.
• Conduct audits and reviews as directed in Departmental and city policies to ensure the integrity of the Evidence Vault, integrity of the information systems, and compliance with all applicable business practices, policies, procedures, regulation and laws.
• Facilitate and collaborate with other city departments, independent auditors, State Examiners of Public Accounts, and other relevant authorized parties as necessary who are exercising their respective oversight and review authority over the Department’s seized property and evidence programs.
• Collect crime gun intelligence by test firing entering all firearms taken into Department custody into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and the ATF Firearms Tracing System (eTrace) within 14 days from the date of seizure;
• Collect crime gun intelligence by entering all shell casings collected from crime scenes into NIBIN within 12 days of the date of recovery.
• Communicate all relevant crime gun intelligence developed from NIBIN and eTrace to the appropriate investigators by the most expeditious means possible and document the intelligence information through written reports and/or briefings.
• Handle firearms and other hazardous materials safely and utilize the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Transport items of evidence to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for lab analysis.
• Develop and provide guidance and formal continuing education to Department employees on the processing of property seized during law enforcement activities.
• Conduct formal crime scene and seized property training for police officer recruits as well