Criminalist

City of Warwick • Warwick, RI

3d

About The Position

The Criminalist applies scientific principles to the analysis, identification, and classification of physical evidence related to criminology, law enforcement, and investigations. The position is in the Warwick Police Department’s Detectives Division and involves evidence processing, laboratory analysis, crime-scene response, reporting, and expert testimony. The role responds to crime scenes under varied conditions and at various times of day or night, enters data into police computers, and performs related work as required.

Requirements

• An associate of arts or science degree in criminal justice, physical or biological science, or another relevant field, and at least five years of experience in a police or law enforcement agency’s BCI unit, or a substantially equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Graduation from the University of Rhode Island’s Scientific Criminal Investigation Training course or a similar BCI school training program.
• Ability to work with the latest equipment and knowledge of advanced methods of evidence analysis.
• Knowledge of interpreting and evaluating finger and palm prints using the modified Henry system.
• A driver’s license check and BCI will be performed; negative findings may prevent consideration.

Responsibilities

• Search for, collect, photograph, preserve, and store evidence while maintaining proper chain of custody.
• Perform a variety of analytical examinations on physical evidence, including paint, glass, printed matter, paper, ink, fabric, dust, dirt, and gases.
• Lift, search, and compare fingerprints and interpret findings.
• Identify hair, skin, tissue, blood, bones, and human organs.
• Examine and classify explosives, firearms, bullets, shells, and other weapons.
• Interpret laboratory findings related to drugs, poisons, narcotics, alcohol, and other compounds ingested or injected into the body.
• Reconstruct crime scenes and preserve marks or impressions made by shoes, tires, or other objects using plaster or moulage casts.
• Prepare reports and presentations describing findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions, and prepare results for court or other formal hearings.
• Maintain records and files, write reports and charts, and work within a budget.
• Testify as an expert witness regarding evidence or crime laboratory techniques.
• Confer with experts in areas such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, metallurgy, biochemistry, and medicine.
• Train and support police personnel in evidence handling.
• Maintain records in accordance with policy and law, make identifications, and correspond with RI BCI, the FBI, and other agencies.
• Respond to crime scenes under varied conditions and at different times of day or night.
• Enter data into police computers.

Benefits

• Individual and family health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid holidays
• Vacation time
• Personal time
• Sick leave
• Pension
• Life insurance
• Optional supplemental retirement plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree