Forensic Scientist - Firearms & Tool Marks Section

State of Utah•Taylorsville, UT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System (aka, the State Crime Lab) was created by the Legislature to provide timely and comprehensive criminalistic services to criminal justice entities within the State of Utah. By statute (53-10-104), the laboratory shall analyze evidence from crime scenes and crime-related incidents for criminal prosecution; and provide criminalistics laboratory services to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys' and agencies, and public defenders. Forensic Scientists in the Firearms and Tool Marks section perform complex forensic examinations of physical evidence submitted to the Bureau of Forensic Services related to firearms and tool mark identification.

Requirements

Bachelor’s of Science Degree in a natural science (Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry), Forensic Science, or closely related field (Criminal Justice)
Must pass a comprehensive background investigation as well as a polygraph examination and drug test.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of evidence handling, rules of evidence, and chain of custody.
Experience as a firearms examiner in an accredited forensic laboratory.
Experience in NIBIN acquisitions and/or correlations.

Responsibilities

Perform examinations of firearms, ammunition, ammunition components, tools, tool marks, and other firearms or tool related evidence
Perform examinations on clothing, and other surfaces for the presence of gunshot residues or powder patterns, and muzzle to target distance determinations
Perform chemical restoration of obliterated serial numbers
Perform projectile trajectory determinations, reconstructions and diagramming of shooting events, and provide assistance of a technical nature to investigators
Enter and search data in the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)
Design and conduct experiments related to specific case issues
Present findings in a technical report and verbally in a court of law through expert witness testimony
Follow all established protocols and procedures and complete assigned tasks as deemed necessary by the Firearms section manager
Senior forensic scientists may supervise training or other programs, oversee certification-testing programs, and conduct research and planning in support of laboratory projects and goals.
Senior forensic scientists must have completed training and be actively working cases in two or more forensic disciplines and pass annual proficiency tests in these disciplines.
Senior forensic scientists are recognized as scientific discipline leaders and are expected to make significant technical contributions to the lab, champion new ideas, build strong internal and external networks, and mentor and develop junior staff.