Forensic Print Analyst Trainee

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; Laredo (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office seeks a skilled latent print examiner to identify suspects by applying the ACE-V protocol and comparing prints with AFIS. You will testify in court, write detailed reports, and maintain latent print files while handling evidence with care.

A strong attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure are essential. Applicants must meet education requirements: high school diploma or GED, with several years of fingerprint examination experience or

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; three years of fingerprint examination experience with a law enforcement agency or an associate degree with two years of experience, etc.
• Bachelor's degree and one year fingerprint experience may also satisfy the minimum requirements.

Responsibilities

• Compare latent prints to known prints using the ACE-V method to positively identify suspects.
• Testify as an expert witness in court regarding latent print identification and findings.
• Write reports documenting findings and conclusions of cases.
• Take inked fingerprints of victims, suspects, and juveniles per court order for elimination or comparison.
• Identify possible suspects using AFIS to assist investigations.
• Brief attorneys and judicial staff on latent print findings.
• Maintain latent print files.
• May provide operational support during emergencies in fingerprinting and identification.

Skills

ACE-V method

Fingerprint comparison

Court testimony

Data organization

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma

GED certificate

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AFIS

Ink fingerprinting

Job description

Why choose HCSO?

We have a history of stability and excellence. We continue to maintain and cultivate the highest level of standards and professionalism. We are unlike any other. Join the HCSO family!

Compensation Range $29.92-$45.92 Starting Salary Range 29.92-37.92

Job Description Summary

Perform comparisons of latent prints using Identification Protocol to identify potential suspects.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Duties may vary based on assignment.
• Compare latent prints to known prints by applying the ACE-V method to negatively or positively identify suspects.
• Testify as an expert witness in court regarding latent print identification, procedures, and findings, to facilitate the court's understanding of latent evidence.
• Write reports to document findings and conclusions of cases.
• Take inked fingerprints of crime victims, suspects, and juveniles (per court order) for elimination or comparison purposes.
• Identify possible suspects of criminal offenses using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to assist detectives in solving cases.
• Brief attorney, criminal justice personnel, and judicial staff on latent print comparison findings.
• Maintain latent print files.
• May be required to provide operational support during periods of local, state, and national emergencies in the fingerprinting and identification of decedents during emergency situations.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of basic fingerprint Classifications Systems Henry, National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and AFIS.
• Considerable knowledge of applying the ACE-V method.
• Considerable knowledge of the history of forensic fingerprint science.
• Working knowledge of chemical analysis techniques in print identification.
• Working knowledge of crime scene investigation methods and techniques.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to collect, organize, and evaluate data and to develop logical conclusions.
• Ability and willingness to work with minute details over long time periods.
• Ability to maintain technical expertise.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to maintain work related records and prepare reports.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Working Conditions

Work within a laboratory environment within a law enforcement agency. Work with items of evidentiary value, which may contain body fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, semen) that have been processed with chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic or toxic. View objectionable images and/or disturbing situations. Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or microscope. May engage in light physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 10 pounds). May travel to various work sites using a Sheriff’s Office-issued vehicle (e.g., car, full-size van, full-size pickup truck) to perform essential duties. May be required to work non-standard hours including nights, weekends, and holidays. In the event of an emergency or disaster, may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by management chain, Division/District Commander, or the Sheriff (or their designee). Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate.
• Three years of experience in fingerprint examination with a law enforcement agency.
• OR An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Two years of experience in fingerprint examination with a law enforcement agency.
• OR A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• One year of experience in fingerprint examination with a law enforcement agency.

Additional Job Requirements

Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required. Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification. No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering. No illegal drug sale within lifetime. No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months. No felony convictions within lifetime. No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime. No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces. Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening. Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment (certified only). The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

n/a

Equal Opportunity & Other Information

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We seek to offer employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

At the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, we work together to encourage a strong and agile workforce while helping each individual realize his or her full potential.

We take a future-oriented and targeted approach to training and crime control.

We are a respected enforcement agency with over 160‑year history of success driven by integrity, honor and dedication. Join us! You're going to like it here! Jobs are posted until position(s) are filled.

When completing application and background tasks, the system times out after 2 hours of inactivity. Information on unsaved/unsubmitted pages will be lost.

Successful candidates undergo a background investigation including, criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening. Once selected for a background investigation, the process takes approximately 3 months.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office receives many applications for each job posted. Unfortunately, not everyone can be interviewed or selected. If you are not selected for a particular job, you are encouraged to apply for others at anytime and may reapply for the exact same job after 1 year.