Forensic Technician I

About the position

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is looking to fill four vacancies for the position of Forensic Technician I in Perris, California. This entry-level role involves performing technical forensic work under direct supervision, including the identification, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence at crime scenes and during criminal trials. The position offers opportunities for promotion to Forensic Technician II based on job performance and meeting recruitment guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Assist in searching for, collecting, and categorizing evidence at crime scenes for laboratory analysis.
• Assist in collecting, identifying, developing, and preserving latent fingerprints.
• Preserve, compare, and attempt to identify evidence such as blood, hair, fibers, cloth, wood, paint, and glass fragments.
• Take and compare physical impressions to attempt to connect evidence with suspects.
• Interview witnesses regarding the location of evidence and details for creating composite drawings of suspects.
• Collect and process evidence during search warrants; create diagrams and poster boards of search warrant locations; videotape searches, photograph, and document all evidence collected.
• Tag, mark, and store evidence collected; assist with managing an evidence room, including checking items in and out, maintaining chain of custody and inventory control, and destroying items no longer needed for criminal prosecution.
• Photograph crime scenes, suspects, and evidence using digital and traditional photographic equipment; process and organize digital images using computer software programs.
• Use computer software and equipment to prepare and draw sketches of crime scenes.

Requirements

• Experience obtaining evidence at a crime scene.
• Ability to create reports of findings and analyze evidence in the lab.
• Certification related to forensics is highly desired, including Crime Scene Investigation, Crime Scene Photography, Fingerprint Techniques and Impression, Forensic Report Writing, Death Investigation, and/or Blood Stain Pattern Analysis.