Criminalist I - DNA Casework

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Long-term disability

Life insurance

Job summary

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) seeks a DNA Analyst/Criminalist for the Forensic Services - DNA Casework Department. A bachelor's degree is required, along with integrity and basic DNA/Serology knowledge. You will conduct analyses, prepare reports, and testify in court.

Responsibilities include evidence handling, documentation, training others, and potential 24-hour call availability. Equal opportunity employer with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in biological, chemical, forensic science or related area.
• Ability to analyze evidence, interpret findings, communicate effectively, and testify effectively in court.
• Must complete legal training course at SCCJA.
• Understanding of forensic DNA analysis.
• Must meet requirements to obtain Class III officer certification.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Willingness to be on 24-hour call, including potential after-hours travel.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate case information, identify biological evidence, and perform serology and DNA analyses per defined protocols.
• Interpret results and prepare formal written reports; provide guidance for other analysts.
• Receive evidence from law enforcement and maintain chain of custody; preserve evidence for testing.
• Document case-related communications; coordinate with other departments while preserving evidence.
• Provide expert testimony in federal, state, and local courts; present scientific results.
• Participate in training sessions; train other departmental employees.
• Perform research, validation, quality control/assurance, safety, and other tasks as directed.
• Occasionally serve on 24-hour call for DNA/Serology-related issues and crime scene consultation.
• Maintain commissioned Class III law enforcement officer certification.

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is searching to fill a DNA Analyst/Criminalist position in our Forensic Services - DNA Casework Department. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree, integrity, and a basic understanding of scientific principles involved in DNA and Serology analysis.

About SLED

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is a premier statewide law enforcement agency dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of South Carolina. With a proud history rooted in integrity, professionalism, and public service, SLED is committed to providing high-quality investigative, intelligence, and forensic services to support law enforcement agencies across the state.

At SLED, we value dedication, ethical conduct, accountability, and a strong commitment to justice. Our agency plays a vital role in maintaining public safety and supporting criminal justice efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. From advanced forensic science to homeland security, criminal investigations, and criminal justice information systems, SLED's diverse responsibilities make it one of the most dynamic law enforcement agencies in the state.

We foster a professional work environment where teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement are fundamental. Our employees are held to the highest standards and are given opportunities to grow within a mission-driven organization that makes a meaningful difference in South Carolina communities.

Learn more about why you should join our team at www.sled.sc.gov .

General Responsibility

Conduct serological and DNA analyses on evidence submitted to the SLED Forensic Services Laboratory and provide written reports based on the interpretation of analysis with limited supervision. Provide expert testimony in federal, state, and local courts. Represent SLED, Forensic Services, and the DNA Casework Department in a professional manner at all times. Serve as a Class III law enforcement officer.

Specific Duties

• Evaluate case information, identify biological evidence, and perform all aspects of the serological and DNA analysis using defined protocols. Interpret results of these analyses and prepare a formal written report. Demonstrate considerable knowledge of laboratory techniques and interpretation of DNA results and provide guidance for other analysts regarding case analysis.
• Receive evidence from law enforcement agencies and maintain chain of custody for all evidence taken into the employee's custody. Document and preserve evidence for potential further testing.
• Properly document all case-related communications with other parties. Maintain a professional level of communication at all times. When necessary, coordinate with other departments to ensure that all requested analyses are appropriately prioritized and evidence is preserved to the extent possible. Effectively interact with other departmental personnel, agency personnel, and other members of the legal community as part of a team and as a departmental leader.
• Provide expert testimony in federal, state, and local courts. Present scientific results of analyses and their interpretation in court. Participate in pre-trial conferences and hearings; respond appropriately to requests by the court and other authorized parties.
• Participate in training sessions and seminars as requested for required employee continuing education. Conduct training for other internal or external groups as directed by departmental supervisor. Train other departmental employees to perform these trainings.
• Perform and/or initiate research, validation, quality control, quality assurance, safety, and other responsibilities as directed by departmental supervisor. Coordinate projects and provide guidance to others to complete these tasks.
• Assume 24-hour call for DNA/Serology related issues to include possible consultation on crime scene processing.
• Maintain certification as a commissioned Class III law enforcement officer as required by the SC Criminal Justice Academy.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree or the equivalent in a biological, chemical, forensic science or related area from an accredited college/university or obtain one within 90 days of the posting date. Must have credits received in genetics, biochemistry, statistics, and molecular biology or other subjects that provide basic understanding of forensic Serology/DNA analysis.
• Ability to analyze evidence, interpret findings, prepare scientific reports, communicate effectively, and testify effectively in court.
• Must successfully complete a prescribed legal training course at SCCJA.
• Must have thorough understanding of the underlying science of Forensic DNA analysis.
• Must meet all requirements to obtain certification as a Class III law enforcement officer by the State of South Carolina.
• Must be able to obtain competency and maintain proficiency in the appropriate categories of testing or job functions.
• Must be able to complete duties under limited supervision.
• This position is required to be on periodic 24 hour call, 7 days a week as designated. This may require response to crime scene processing consultation requests throughout the state and may require after hours work and/or overnight travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience with forensic serology and DNA analysis.

Additional Comments

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

Supplemental questions are considered part of the official application. Any misrepresentation of yourself may be grounds for disqualification.

Conditional selection based on candidate education, training, experience, oral interviews and clearance of background investigation.