Forensic Scientist III (Latent Prints_LHC)

Arizona-Department-of-Public-Safety; Lake Havasu City (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Department of Public Safety seeks an experienced Forensic Scientist III specializing in latent prints to examine, identify, and evaluate physical evidence using chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparison techniques. You will prepare technical reports, testify in court, and train other scientists while guiding method revisions and equipment purchases.

Requires a Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry, seven years of forensic experience, competency in at least one

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry with chemistry coursework hours as specified; court or professional presentation experience in forensics.
• Competency in at least one forensic discipline.
• Seven years of experience as a forensic scientist in a crime laboratory; DNA sample submission requirement.
• Ability to train other forensic scientists and provide technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare technical reports and provide expert testimony in court.
• Train and advise other forensic scientists; review methods and equipment needs.
• Work complex cases within latent prints and related disciplines; interpret scientific data.

Skills

Fingerprint analysis

Laboratory instrumentation

Analytical reasoning

Court testimony

Education

Bachelors in biology or chemistry

Job description

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our Western Regional Crime Laboratory team as a Forensic Scientist III specializing in the LATENT PRINTSdiscipline. Utilizes chemical, microscopic, chromatographic, and comparative techniques and instrumentation to examine, identify and evaluate physical evidence which may include: controlled dangerous substances; blood, urine, and other biological specimens; firearms; questioned documents; latent prints; trace evidence; and other items of evidentiary value. Prepares technical reports; provides expert testimony in court; provides technical advice and guidance to and trains other forensic scientists; recommends revisions to analytical methodology and purchase of scientific equipment; serves as an experienced casework analyst working complex cases within the discipline and performs related tasks as required. Supervision is received from a Supervising Forensic Scientist. This may be a competitive OR a progressive classification.

This recruitment will be used to establish an 18-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies at our Western Regional Crime Laboratory in the Lake Havasu City area.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

Written Examination 40% Qualifications Appraisal Board (QAB) 60%.

NOTE: Transcript copies (official or unofficial) are required with your application.

Knowledge of:

1. principles and analytical procedures of chemistry, biology (including molecular biology), toxicology, criminalistics, fingerprints, questioned documents, or related sciences.
2. basic uses and effects of controlled substances.
3. hazards and toxicity of chemicals.
4. statutes and case law applicable to assigned forensic discipline and use of physical evidence in court.
5. rules of criminal procedure concerning time limits, discovery, evidence and expert witnesses.
6. crime scene procedures.
7. techniques for processing items of evidence at crime scenes.
8. mathematics related to analyzing scientific data.
9. coaching and training techniques to provide technical advice, guidance and training.

Skill in:

1. operating laboratory instruments, equipment and computer systems related to areas of responsibility.

Ability to:

1. define problems, establish facts, interpret information and draw valid scientific conclusions.
2. recognize minute differences in shape and form.
3. chemically identify and quantitate compounds such as drugs, diluents and poisons.
4. interpret scientific data to establish statistical probabilities of origin of biological and commercial products.
5. effectively communicate findings of scientific tests both orally and in writing.
6. testify and undergo intense examination in court.
7. perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
8. read and interpret scientific materials.
9. organize, conduct and evaluate scientific research.
10. handle routine contact with criminal justice members and the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May be exposed to fumes or dust, bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals or materials that transmit infectious disease (e.g., AIDS, Hepatitis B), are corrosive, carcinogenic, or explosive.

May be required to move items up to twenty (20) pounds.

Must be able to respond to crime scenes and court appearances as needed.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database. A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in biology, chemistry, or closely related physical or natural sciences with either a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in chemistry or a minimum of twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry with completed coursework in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry; a minimum of seven (7) years of experience as a forensic scientist in a recognized crime laboratory; demonstrated competency in at least one forensic discipline; and court or professional presentation experience applicable to forensics. Additional forensic scientist experience, beyond the required seven (7) years, may substitute for semester hours of chemistry (one (1) year additional forensic scientist experience equals ten (10) chemistry semester hours). Up to three (3) years of the required experience may be substituted with professional experience obtained in a clinical or research laboratory, provided the experience involved analytical or technical laboratory work applicable to forensic laboratory testing and reporting.

Progression to the next classification in the Forensic Scientist series requires an overall performance rating of at least "Standard" in the last 12 months.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt