Criminalist I

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Criminalist I in the Sheriff’s Identification Unit, focusing on latent and tenprint examinations to support investigations and legal proceedings.

Under close supervision, the incumbent will perform forensic friction ridge analyses, biometric identifications, and prepare technical reports. They may provide expert testimony and assist in field investigations as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in natural or applied science or a related field.
• Possess minimum qualifications defined by the laboratory's accrediting body.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment.

Responsibilities

• Perform friction ridge analysis and evaluate evidence submissions.
• Conduct biometric identification examinations and AFIS submissions.
• Document processes and generate clear technical reports.
• Provide expert testimony in court regarding fingerprint methods and conclusions.
• Assist with field investigations and preserve evidence.

Skills

Friction ridge analysis

Biometric identification

Forensic reporting

Expert testimony

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Tools

Microscopy

Chromatography

Mass spectrometry

DNA typing

Digital processing

Job description

Under close supervision, to perform physical, chemical, biological and/or digital analyses related to scientific examination of physical evidence in criminal cases.

The Sheriff’s Identification Unit of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting for a Criminalist I position specializing in latent and tenprint examination. The incumbent will perform forensic friction ridge examinations to support investigations and legal proceedings.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Performing the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification of friction ridge skin impressions from evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies.
• Conducting biometric identification examinations and preparing AFIS submissions and inquiries.
• Documenting examination processes and results accurately and thoroughly, generating clear and concise written technical reports, and presenting findings to investigators, attorneys, and other stakeholders.
• Providing effective expert testimony in court regarding fingerprint identification methods, conclusions, and related forensic principles.

The selected candidate must successfully pass a full background investigation prior to appointment.

• Performs analysis and examines physical evidence in forensic specialty areas such as Audio-Video, Computer Forensics, Drug Chemistry, Trace Evidence, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Toxicology, Questioned Documents, Footwear/Shoe Print Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Analysis;
• Examines evidence, evaluates findings and interprets results utilizing various techniques including photography, microscopy, wet chemistry, immunoassay, chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, DNA typing, data searching and recovery, and digital processing;
• Assists with field investigations at crime scenes and other locations to search for, collect, document and preserve evidence;
• Consults and advises law enforcement, attorneys and the courts regarding nature of evidence or the results of laboratory analyses and their meaning;
• Testifies on the results of laboratory analyses and may interpret the findings for the courts and other legal hearings;
• Prepares clear, comprehensive, technically sound and accurate casework reports, including all determined facts and conclusions;
• Assists in determining the interrelationship of various pieces of physical evidence;
• Maintains laboratory, instruments, equipment and glassware in a constant state of cleanliness, order, and good repair;
• Serves as a liaison with applicable professional organizations to provide and obtain pertinent information necessary in maintaining subject matter expertise;
• May be assigned to deliver technical presentations to outside groups;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a natural or applied science, or related field;

An incumbent must possess the minimum qualifications for the discipline assigned as defined by the Laboratory's current accrediting body as well as applicable requirements as set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Quality Assurance Standards and the California Code of Regulations;

Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to obtain and maintain a County driver's authorization.

Knowledge of:

• Modern criminal investigation and identification techniques and procedures;
• Basic laboratory safety procedures;
• Techniques of scientific research, analysis and report writing.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of basic chemical, instrumental, biological, digital and other laboratory analyses;
• Learn a variety of techniques for specialty discipline(s) where casework is assigned and performed;
• Study and keep current of new techniques and procedures in the specialized areas of forensics;
• Establishes competency and maintain proficiency in specialty disciplines where casework is performed;
• Document activities in an accurate and clear manner;
• Use the scientific method to solve a variety of complex problems to explain the significance of the results obtained;
• Prepare and present clear, accurate and detailed analytical reports for law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, the courts and other agencies;
• Gather and analyze physical evidence and formulate conclusions;
• Analyze, interpret and present data and outcomes to a broad audience, including law enforcement agencies, the courts and other agencies;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including when serving as an expert witness in the presentation of laboratory findings.

• Be free from any deficiency in the ability to distinguish colors;
• Must have vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye, unless appointed to perform audio analyses;
• Must not have suffered hearing loss of over 25 decibels in the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hertz ranges for appointment to audio analyses.