Crime Scene Specialist: Advanced Evidence Processing

Military, Veterans and Diverse Job Seekers; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hayward invites applications for a Crime Scene Specialist (COH). This journey-level position supports the collection, processing and analysis of evidentiary items at crime scenes and laboratories, including latent prints, photography, and documentation, with court testimony as needed.

You will supervise staff, ensure chain of custody, and train others in crime scene procedures, safety, and reporting, while working under direction of management and sworn personnel.

Qualifications

• Advanced methods and techniques of criminal identification and crime scene investigation.
• Latent print techniques including development, collection and preservation.
• Methods and techniques of various chemical, laser and physical processes and related safety requirements.
• Evidentiary processing techniques for latent impression evidence recovery.
• Principles and practices of black and white and color photography including Lighting, Alternate Light Source, enlarging, and printing.
• Digital photography equipment, as it relates to latent print photography.
• Principles and practices of technical crime scene processing and crime scene reconstruction.
• Rules of evidence of the methods and procedures of physical evidence collection, processing and preservation.

Responsibilities

• Determine techniques to be employed in testing and examination of physical evidence; develops and oversees procedures to ensure maintenance of chain of evidence within the parameters of state and federal laws, rules of evidence, court procedure, and case law.
• Determine techniques to be employed in discovering patent or latent finger, palm and foot impressions to include basic and advanced chemical processing.
• Utilize various light sources to examine items of evidence for the detection of friction ridge impressions and digital capture equipment to record friction ridges developed.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure the appropriate collection and preservation of evidence, measurements and diagrams of crime scenes, and provide lead direction in the processing of major and large-scale crime scenes.
• Photographs evidence and crime scenes using digital photographic and video equipment; directs the development and printing of photographs and films and the preparation of photographic displays; and examines photographic image to determine quality of print.
• Prepares and maintains training manuals.
• Oversees maintenance of unit's equipment, supplies, and maintenance of evidence van.
• Performs quality checks of instruments and reagents.
• Provides training to less experienced staff or law enforcement personnel in: laws and regulations affecting the processing of crime scenes; preparation of courtroom exhibits and procedures; and techniques and practices in crime scene processing and analysis.
• Performs technical tasks in the collection and preservation of evidence at a crime scene such as lifting latent prints, collecting body fluids and clothing, dislodging bullets, and making plaster impressions.
• Records elimination prints of victims and persons of interest; takes major case prints of known subjects using inked, powdered, and photographic techniques. Testifies as an expert witness regarding laboratory examination of evidence, and crime scene processing.
• Assists with developing and implementing appropriate safety procedures on the work site.
• Packages evidence for storage; ensures proper procedures are followed.
• Photographs a wide variety of situations to ensure proper documentation of the crime scene.
• Prepares detailed reports and records of crime scenes and evidence collected; prepares diagrams.
• Performs duties related to other areas of civilian police activities as necessary.
• Reports to major crime scenes to collect evidence on a 24-hour basis as needed. Performs related work as necessary.

Skills

Criminal identification

Latent print techniques

Chemical processing

Photography

Evidence preservation

Court testimony

Documentation

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associates degree in criminalistics/forensic science

Natural science degree (biology/biochemistry/chemistry)

Bachelor's degree desirable

Driver's license

Job description

City of Hayward invites applications for a Crime Scene Specialist (COH). This journey-level position supports the collection, processing and analysis of evidentiary items at crime scenes and laboratories, including latent prints, photography, and documentation, with court testimony as needed.

You will supervise staff, ensure chain of custody, and train others in crime scene procedures, safety, and reporting, while working under direction of management and sworn personnel.