SENIOR FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SPECIALIST

City of Torrance; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Torrance is seeking a Senior Forensic Identification Specialist to join the Police Department. The role involves advanced crime scene investigations, fingerprint analysis, and leading staff within the Forensic Identification Specialist Unit.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 3 years of experience, and a valid California driver's license. The position may require fieldwork, lab work, and on‑call duties.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field.
• Three years paid experience as a Forensic Identification Specialist or the equivalent at an accredited forensic laboratory, or law enforcement agency, participating in site investigations and laboratory analysis.
• Must possess a valid State of California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, document, and manage complex crime scene investigations with detailed report writing.
• Provide expert-level fingerprint examinations and analysis for investigations.
• Prepare technical documentation and reports to support casework.
• Train and mentor staff; ensure adherence to forensic standards and procedures.
• Coordinate assignments or specialized projects within the Forensic Identification Specialist Unit.

Skills

Crime scene investigations

Report writing

Latent print analysis

AFIS knowledge

Digital imaging

Staff training

Forensic documentation

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or related field

Tools

AFIS

Digital imaging equipment

Job description

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.

The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.

The City of Torrance is recruiting for a Senior Forensic Identification Specialist to be a part of the Police Department.

The Torrance Police Department mission is to preserve public safety and quality of life within the City of Torrance, to respond effectively to the changing needs of the community, and to promote mutual respect between the Police Department and the people we serve.

The Torrance Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the South Bay and has proudly served the community of Torrance for more than 100 years. The Department is dedicated to preserving public safety and enhancing the quality of life for residents through professional, community-oriented policing and responsive public safety services. The Department employs sworn police officers and civilian professional staff who provide a full range of law enforcement services, including patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, emergency communications, jail operations, community outreach, crime prevention, and specialized response teams. The Department is organized into four major bureaus—Administrative, Patrol, Special Operations, and Support Services— which work collaboratively to address the evolving needs of the community.

Committed to the principles of integrity, professionalism, and service, the Torrance Police Department emphasizes strong community partnerships, transparency, and proactive problem‑solving to ensure Torrance remains one of the safest and most desirable communities in Southern California. The Department continually invests in advanced technology, training, and innovative programs to provide the highest level of public safety services to residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Division

The Torrance Police Department Forensic Identification Specialist Unit is responsible for providing comprehensive forensic and crime scene support to the Torrance Police Department. The unit conducts detailed crime scene documentation; collects and preserves physical evidence; performs fingerprint processing and comparison; and utilizes advanced forensic technologies to assist in criminal investigations. Forensic Identification Specialists work closely with detectives, patrol officers, and external agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and professional forensic services that uphold the highest standards of evidence integrity and investigative support.

The Positions

These positions operate on a 4/10 work schedule and may be required to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and participate in a rotating on‑call schedule. Incumbents work in the field under various weather conditions, as well as in laboratory and general office environments.

Physical demands include climbing, bending, lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 60 pounds; exposure to blood‑borne and airborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and hazardous chemicals used in latent print development; and occasionally crawling in confined spaces. Duties also require the ability to tolerate prolonged computer use and work in situations involving fingerprinting and photographing deceased persons.

Senior Forensic Identification Specialists perform advanced forensic and crime scene duties and provide lead‑level guidance to staff within the Forensic Identification Specialist Unit. This position conducts complex crime scene investigations, collects and processes physical evidence, performs detailed fingerprint examinations, and prepares technical documentation and reports. Senior Forensic Identification Specialists assist in training and mentoring staff, ensure adherence to forensic standards and departmental procedures, and may coordinate assignments or specialized projects. The role supports investigators by providing expert‑level forensic analysis to aid in the identification, documentation, and preservation of evidence for criminal investigations.

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field.

Three years paid experience as a Forensic Identification Specialist or the equivalent at an accredited forensic laboratory, or law enforcement agency, participating in site investigations and laboratory analysis. Experience may be substituted for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis to a maximum of four years experience.

Must possess a valid State of California driver's license of the appropriate class.

• The ability to conduct, document, and manage complex crime scene investigations, including detailed report writing skills.
• Effective report writing skills and courtroom expert testimony.
• Skills and knowledge in recognition, search techniques, collection, and documentation of latent prints from physical evidence.
• Competence in the operation of digital imaging systems used for documentation and analysis purposes.
• Knowledge and skills in automated systems and chemical methods used to identify and compare latent fingerprints to partial and distorted friction skin evidence as well as known friction skin exemplars.
• Adequate knowledge and skills in training and evaluating staff members, especially pertaining to the related fields of Crime Scene investigations and Latent print examinations.
• Working knowledge and skill sets in entering and comparing latent print impressions in the local and federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS).

An International Association for Identification (IAI) certification as a crime scene investigator (CCSI) and/or a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) is desirable.

City of Torrance Inclusion Statement

The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally‑rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.

The City is an equal‑opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!