Forensic Services Technician

Arizona-Department-of-Public-Safety; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking motivated Forensic Services Technicians to respond to crime scenes, process evidence, and provide photographic and technical support. The role includes field testing support, instrument maintenance, and delivering expert testimony.

Eschewing routine tasks, you will train troopers, manage complex evidence protocols, and coordinate with multiple units to ensure admissibility of digital and physical evidence across investigations.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in crime scene investigations or closely related field, or four years' accredited forensic lab experience.
• Four years' experience as a law enforcement photographer or electronic technician.
• Ability to obtain and maintain AZ POST instructor certification.

Responsibilities

• Performs initial screening, processing, and triaging of evidence from crime scenes.
• Performs function tests on firearms retrieved from crime scenes and in support of the Firearms Unit.
• Provides assistance to troopers conducting field tests.
• Facilitates Department and laboratory field programs such as the Intoxilyzer, Field Drug Testing, and Rapid DNA programs.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs/coordinates repair of field and laboratory instruments, equipment, and software including, but not limited to, camera equipment, breath testing instruments and simulators, Rapid DNA instruments, digital evidence software, and sex assault kit tracking software.
• Presents expert testimony to support role in criminal investigations.
• Searches, identifies, documents, measures, diagrams, preserves, and collects all types of physical evidence at crime scenes.
• Prepares supplemental reports for crime scene activity, evidence testing results, and instrument repair.
• Responds to requests for assistance with hazardous materials scenes.
• Conducts macro and aerial photography of accident and crime scenes; serves as in-house photographer for law enforcement functions.
• Conducts various preliminary examinations of evidence in the field.
• Maintains official Department images and processes public and Department requests for photos.
• As an AZ P.O.S.T.-certified instructor, provides instruction on Intoxilyzer, Rapid DNA operations, etc.
• Maintains instrument reports and calibration/certification/maintenance records.
• Maintains unit vehicles, vehicle bay, and supply inventory.

Skills

crime scene processing

photography

evidence handling

equipment troubleshooting

team collaboration

problem solving

work under pressure

Education

Associate's degree in crime scene investigations

Four years' accredited forensic laboratory experience

Four years' law enforcement photography or electronics technician experience

Tools

camera equipment

digital evidence software

Rapid DNA instruments

breath testing instruments

instrument calibration

Job description

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking motivated and experienced personnel to join our team. Forensic Services Technicians, under general supervision, responds to requests for crime scene assistance and photography. Performs basic processing and triaging of crime scene evidence, produces reports, provides expert testimony in court, facilitates forensic field-testing programs, and maintains field instruments and equipment. Conducts training. Performs related duties as assigned. This is a competitive classification.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eighteen-month eligibility list to fill current and future Forensic Services Technician vacancies in the Phoenix area.

TESTING

In-person Written Exam - 25% weighted (top passing candidates will advance to QAB), Friday, November 13, 2026

Qualification Appraisal Board (QAB) - 75% weighted

View Exam Plan

Must successfully complete the examination process.

1. Performs initial screening, processing, and triaging of evidence from crime scenes.
2. Performs function tests on firearms retrieved from crime scenes and in support of the Firearms Unit.
3. Provides assistance to troopers conducting field tests.
4. Facilitates Department and laboratory field programs such as the Intoxilyzer, Field Drug Testing, and Rapid DNA programs.
5. Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs/coordinates repair of field and laboratory instruments, equipment, and software including, but not limited to, camera equipment, breath testing instruments and simulators, Rapid DNA instruments, digital evidence software, and sex assault kit tracking software.
6. Presents expert testimony to support role in criminal investigations.
7. Searches, identifies, documents, measures, diagrams, preserves, and collects all types of physical evidence at crime scenes.
8. Prepares supplemental reports for crime scene activity, evidence testing results, and instrument repair.
9. Responds to requests for assistance with hazardous materials scenes.
10. Conducts overall, macro, and aerial photography of accident and crime scenes. Serves as in-house photographer in support of law enforcement functions.
11. Conducts various preliminary examinations of evidence in the field.
12. Maintains official Department images and processes public and Department requests for photos.
13. As an AZ P.O.S.T.-certified instructor, provides instruction to troopers and other state agency personnel on various topics (i.e., Intoxilyzer, Rapid DNA operations, crime scene processing).
14. Maintains instrument reports and records of calibration, certification, and maintenance to ensure admissibility of evidentiary samples.
15. Maintains unit vehicles, vehicle bay, and supply inventory.

Knowledge of

1. the principles, practices, and techniques of evidentiary identification, documentation, and collection.
2. safety precautions related to processing and photographing crime scenes.
3. criminal law sufficient to process and photograph scenes without compromising criminal investigations.
4. the principles and technologies of relevant crime scene, photographic, and field testing equipment and software.
5. repair techniques for field services instruments and software.
6. firearms safety.
7. evidence processing techniques using a variety of technical equipment, materials, and processes.
8. applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
9. applicable Department policies and procedures.

Skill in

1. the use of specialized crime scene processing and diagramming equipment.
2. the use of photographic equipment and image enhancing software and programs.
3. recognizing transient evidence and systematically processing crime scenes.
4. the use of specialized equipment and software for processing evidence.
5. effectively troubleshooting equipment.
6. working as part of a team to form and implement a plan and working together to achieve a common goal.
7. problem solving.

Ability to

1. attain and maintain technical certification (Rapid DNA Operator, Intoxilyzer, Operator/Quality Assurance Specialist or Clandestine Laboratory Response) as required.
2. establish and maintain effective working relationship with co-workers, law enforcement personnel, and the public.
3. recognize hazardous situations.
4. work independently.
5. work in stressful or hazardous environments.
6. work around, or come into contact with, deceased individuals in various stages of decomposition.
7. survey crime scenes and process them in a logical fashion.
8. maintain professionalism and composure and work effectively during long, stressful, and/or complex scenes.
9. exercise care in performing intricate, detailed work.
10. identify problems and determine solutions.
11. take detailed and thorough notes.
12. give and take orders in support of the lead investigator at a crime scene.
13. follow oral and written instructions.
14. communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing, explain technical concepts, and write detailed reports.
15. appropriately prioritize work assignments.
16. organize and maintain a laboratory area.

Requires an Associate's degree in crime scene investigations, crime scene technology, criminalistics, electronics technology, or a closely related field from an accredited institution with coursework in forensic science, crime scene technology, photography, or chemistry. Degree requirement may be substituted by four years' full-time experience working in an accredited forensics laboratory performing any of the essential functions as described OR four years' experience as a law enforcement photographer or as an electronic technician.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must provide a DNA sample for the staff database.

Must have a valid Arizona driver license by the date of hire, and maintain throughout employment.

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.

Must be able to respond to requests for photography and scene assistance on a 24-hour basis. Must be able to stand for extended periods of time, squat, or kneel to perform job functions.

Must be able to work outside of normal business hours including nights and weekends and in extreme weather conditions.

Participates in on-call rotation to respond to requests for photography and scene assistance on a 24-hour basis.

Must successfully complete the examination process.

Progression to the next step requires an overall performance rating of at least "Standard" in the last 12 months.

FLSA status - Non-exempt