APD Crime Scene Technician I

City of Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

2d•$40,945 - $41,502

About The Position

The Crime Scene Technician I processes crime scenes for the Police Department. The work includes operating a mobile crime scene laboratory; collecting and processing physical evidence; photographing crime scenes; lifting, processing, classifying, and identifying fingerprints; testifying in court; compiling reports; and maintaining and updating records for proper documentation. The technician works under very general supervision and may work independently or with other skilled or semi-skilled workers, with responsibility for completing assigned tasks. The position requires an associate’s degree in a related field and one year of experience in police identification and evidence collection techniques in a similar law enforcement environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Appropriate licensure or professional certifications are expected. Three years of relevant experience is preferred. The job involves heavy physical work, including exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a related field and one year of experience in police identification and evidence collection techniques in a similar law enforcement environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge of modern police identification techniques, police photography, human relations, and local law enforcement practices, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of proper methods for collecting, handling, and processing evidence.
Effective communication and interaction skills with supervisors, elected officials, employees, members of the general public, and other groups involved in City activities.
Time-management skills.
Ability to cooperate and work efficiently with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and officers.
Ability to assist clerical personnel in releasing criminal history data to certain lawfully authorized officers and investigators.
Licensure or professional certifications appropriate to the position are expected.
Ability to meet the physical, lifting, and sensory requirements of the job, including heavy work requiring exertion of up to 100 pounds occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 20 pounds constantly.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience in police identification and evidence collection techniques in a similar law enforcement environment.

Responsibilities

Photograph and/or videotape crime scenes, persons, and property; collect physical evidence; lift fingerprints using powders and chemicals; and measure distances.
Compare and search latent fingerprints manually and on the AFIS computer system for classification, comparison, and identification; search suspects' fingerprints.
Process physical evidence using various chemicals and processes, and possibly perform chemical tests on suspects to determine gun firing.
Master-stamp records classified by other technicians and review classifications for errors.
Testify in local, state, and federal courts as an expert witness on fingerprint charts and evidence.
Enter and retrieve data in computer systems to maintain a database on wanted persons.
Classify and search new records.
Use independent judgment and discretion in emergency situations, including determining procedures, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
Provide guidance and training as required to lower-level employees, interns, and temporary employees.
Sketch crime scenes.
Secure crime scenes to prevent evidence from being tampered with or contaminated.
Decide which items at a crime scene need to be bagged as evidence.
Transport evidence while ensuring proper chain of custody.
Perform other duties as assigned.