Major Investigations - Forensic Specialist Trainee

City of Abilene•Abilene, TX

About The Position

Under general supervision, makes fingerprint evaluations and comparisons, processes evidence, processes crime scenes, prepares reports, assists in training police personnel, testifies as an expert witness, and performs other activities in support of the Police Department.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited university with a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic science or related field is required. A minimum of five consecutive years in law enforcement can substitute this requirement.
A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.
Knowledge of: Organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency.
Knowledge of: General law enforcement codes, practices and methods.
Knowledge of: Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Knowledge of: English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Knowledge of: Office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
Knowledge of: Basic principles of chemistry, physics, and biology.
Knowledge of: Principles of report preparation.
Knowledge of: Basic principles of budget preparation.
Skill to: Operate office equipment including computer equipment.
Skill to: Operate a variety of tools and equipment including alternate light source, digital camera, super glue chamber, fingerprint magnifier, fingerprint processing equipment, fume hood, laser scanner, and fingerprint identification systems.
Skill to: Operate hand tools or power tools to perform job functions.
Ability to: Work independently or with a team.
Ability to: Work courteously with the general public.
Ability to: Prepare accurate and grammatically correct reports.
Ability to: Work in unpleasant crime and accident scenes and under pressure.
Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to: Organize and manage time efficiently.
Ability to: Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Ability to: Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Ability to: Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Bloodborne Pathogens training, HazCom training, and HIPAA Compliance training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
Work varied shifts, including weekends, as required and respond to after-hour calls within 30 minutes.
Exposure to cold, heat, outdoors, varying terrains, confining workspace, and chemicals.
Successfully complete the required forensic training program and obtain all required certifications.
Ability to visually compare minute details without fatigue during day and nighttime lighting.

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience in the criminal justice field or in a laboratory setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Processes crime scenes by taking photographs, scanning/video recording scenes, prepare scene sketches, collecting, preserving, logging, packaging and inventorying evidence, and preparing detailed reports.
Analyzes and evaluates latent fingerprints; conducts fingerprint comparisons.
Utilizes the Leica RTC360 scanner to map crime scenes and produce a deliverable file of the mapped crime scene.
Handle and operate firearms in a safe manner.
Mixes and uses chemicals to process evidence; use alternate light sources to locate latent prints, serological, biological fluids and trace evidence.
Operates the AFIX Tracker database and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to develop candidate lists for comparisons to latent prints.
Reviews lab reports.
Reconstructs major crime scenes using advanced forensic techniques such as blood spatter interpretation, shooting trajectory, etc.
Testifies in court as an expert witness regarding crime scene processing and fingerprint comparisons.
Responds to crime scenes and emergency situations during regular work hours, evenings and weekends.
Maintains laboratory supplies for the Forensic Unit and ensures the lab and equipment are clean and functional.
Ensures all divisions in the police department have an adequate supply of crime scene processing materials to ensure evidence is processed and lab requests are completed in a timely manner.
Operates a motor vehicle to travel to attend trainings, meetings, conferences, and court cases.
Provides training classes for police personnel, police academies, and public safety demonstrations.
Research scientific articles regarding Forensic Discipline.
Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.