Friction Ridge Examiner - District Attorney Forensic Laboratory

Cumberland County, PA; Carlisle (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Capital Blue Cross Medical Insurance

Health Savings Account

Wellness program with incentives

Capital Blue Cross Vision Insurance

United Concordia Dental Insurance

County Retirement Pension

457b Deferred Compensation Plan

Job summary

The Cumberland County DA’s Office Forensic Laboratory seeks a detail-oriented Friction Ridge Examiner to analyze, compare, evaluate, and verify latent and known fingerprints. Certification toward CLPE through IAI is preferred, with compliance to accreditation standards and the lab's quality system.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience in friction ridge examination, and ability to provide objective, unbiased conclusions to support the District Attorney’s Office.

Qualifications

• Requires valid PA driver's license.
• Three to five years of experience in latent fingerprint examination.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, compare, evaluate, and verify latent fingerprints using ACE-V methodology.
• Search for unknown friction ridge impressions against databases.
• Document results of examination activities.
• Prepare and furnish reports on opinions and findings.
• May testify in court regarding lab findings and procedures.
• Plan and design court exhibits and provide trial support.
• Maintain chain of custody for evidence.
• Participate in proficiency testing and peer verification.
• Stay current with latent print tech and IAI/SWGFAST standards.
• Maintain case files per ISO/IEC 17025 and agency policy.
• Serve as technical consultant to lab director and DA staff.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred

Job description

Job Description

Department: District Attorney

Sub-Department: Forensic Investigation Division

Pay Grade: 112

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-Time

Reports to: Forensics Supervisor

Supervises: N/A

Position Code: DA3038

This position is deemed a safety sensitive position, and the selected hire is subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening.

Current County Employees will follow the County Promotion/Demotion Policy.

The starting salary is negotiable based on relevant years of work experience and education in a similar position.

Job Summary

The Cumberland County DA’s Office Forensic Laboratory is seeking a detail-oriented and analytically skilled Friction Ridge Examiner to join the six-disciplined forensic laboratory. This position is responsible for the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification of latent and known fingerprints. The ideal candidate has prior experience in friction ridge examination and holds, or is actively working toward, certification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) through the International Association for Identification (IAI). The examiner maintains compliance with accreditation standards and the laboratory’s quality management system. All work is to be performed in an unbiased objective manner and supports the mission of the laboratory and the Office of the District Attorney as necessary.

Essential Job Functions

• Analyze, compare, evaluate, and verify (ACE-V methodology) latent fingerprints recovered from crime scenes and evidentiary items
• Search for unknown friction ridge skin impression to known prints contained in various databases
• Document the results of all examination activities
• Prepare and furnish authoritative oral and written reports on opinions and findings
• Testify in court regarding lab findings and may be required to testify in court as to the procedures and methods used to obtain data
• Plan and design court exhibits/electronic media displays and provide technical support to the District Attorney’s Office for trial preparation each court term
• Maintain chain of custody for all evidence handled
• Participate in proficiency testing, technical review, and verification of other examiners' conclusions
• Stay current with advances in latent print technology, techniques, and IAI/SWGFAST standards
• Maintain case files and records in accordance with agency policy and accreditation standards ISO/IEC 17025
• Serve as a technical consultant to the laboratory director, District Attorney staff, and the law enforcement community of Cumberland County
• Support the mission of the laboratory and the District Attorney’s Office

Other Duties Of Job

• Perform other related duties as required
• Assist laboratory director with other duties and projects as needed

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives supervision from the Forensic Supervisor/Public Health Supervisor

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None

Qualifications

Must have a valid PA driver’s license

Education

Minimum Requirements to Perform the Work

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or a related field preferred

Work Experience

• Three to five years of experience in latent fingerprint examination/comparison
• Prior law enforcement, crime scene investigation, or forensic laboratory experience preferred

Company Description

Mission Statement: To provide essential services that respond to community needs and promote well-being, while maintaining a financially sound foundation.

Benefits

Medical Benefits

• Capital Blue Cross Medical Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Wellness program with wellness incentives
• Capital Blue Cross Vision Insurance
• United Concordia Dental Insurance

Retirement Benefits

• County Retirement Pension
  • 5% minimum pre-tax contribution required, with the option of increasing your contribution over 5% up to 15% post-tax
  • Fully vested after 5 years of credited service
  • Normal Retirement Options:
    • Age 55 with 20 years of credited service
    • Age 60 with any amount of credited service
• Voluntary 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Military Time Buy Back Options

Paid Time Off

• Vacation
  • 10 days per year, accrued per pay period (Non-Exempt)
  • 15 days per year, accrued per pay period (Exempt)
  • Increase for both Non-Exempt and Exempt of 5 days per year after 2 years of service
• Personal
  • 3 Personal days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• Sick
  • 5 Sick days per year, pro-rated based on starting date
• 12 Paid County Holidays
  • No waiting period to receive paid holidays

Additional Benefits

• Educational Assistance
  • 80% of cost of tuition and books up to the annual IRS limit per calendar year (after 6 months of Full-Time Employment)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – certain eligibility requirements must be met
• Employee Assistance Program
  • Resources for: Childcare, Eldercare, Legal, Financial, and Coaching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance