Senior Forensic Identification Specialist

City of Torrance•Torrance, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Torrance is recruiting a Senior Forensic Identification Specialist for the Torrance Police Department’s Forensic Identification Specialist Unit. The unit provides forensic and crime scene support, including crime scene documentation, evidence collection and preservation, fingerprint processing and comparison, and use of forensic technologies to support investigations. Specialists work with detectives, patrol officers, and external agencies to provide accurate and timely forensic services while maintaining evidence integrity. Senior Forensic Identification Specialists perform advanced forensic and crime scene duties and provide lead-level guidance to unit staff. They conduct complex crime scene investigations, collect and process physical evidence, perform detailed fingerprint examinations, and prepare technical documentation and reports. They assist with staff training and mentoring, help ensure compliance with forensic standards and departmental procedures, and may coordinate assignments or specialized projects. The position provides expert-level forensic analysis to support the identification, documentation, and preservation of evidence in criminal investigations. The role follows a 4/10 work schedule and may require weekends, evenings, holidays, and participation in a rotating on-call schedule. Work takes place in the field under varying weather conditions, as well as in laboratory and general office environments. Physical demands include climbing, bending, lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 60 pounds, and occasionally crawling in confined spaces. The work may involve exposure to blood-borne and airborne pathogens, bodily fluids, and hazardous chemicals used in latent print development; prolonged computer use; and fingerprinting and photographing deceased persons. Applicants must submit an online application and resume. Applications are accepted continuously until the position is filled. Candidates selected to proceed will take a written test and oral exam and must pass each examination component and a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related field; qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of four years of experience.
Three years of paid experience as a Forensic Identification Specialist or equivalent at an accredited forensic laboratory or law enforcement agency, participating in site investigations and laboratory analysis. Experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis, up to four years.
Possess a valid State of California driver’s license of the appropriate class.
Ability to conduct, document, and manage complex crime scene investigations, including detailed report writing.
Effective report-writing skills and ability to provide courtroom expert testimony.
Knowledge and skills in recognizing, searching for, collecting, and documenting latent prints from physical evidence.
Competence operating digital imaging systems used for documentation and analysis.
Knowledge and skills in automated systems and chemical methods used to identify and compare latent fingerprints with partial and distorted friction skin evidence and known friction skin exemplars.
Knowledge and skills in training and evaluating staff, particularly in crime scene investigations and latent print examinations.
Working knowledge and skill in entering and comparing latent print impressions in local and federal Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS).
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 60 pounds and occasionally crawling in confined spaces.
Ability to work in field, laboratory, and office environments and tolerate exposure to biological materials and hazardous chemicals associated with the work.

Nice To Haves

International Association for Identification (IAI) certification as a Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) and/or Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE).

Responsibilities

Conduct complex crime scene investigations.
Collect and process physical evidence.
Perform detailed fingerprint examinations and forensic analysis.
Prepare technical documentation and reports, including detailed crime scene reports.
Provide lead-level guidance to staff in the Forensic Identification Specialist Unit.
Assist in training and mentoring staff and in evaluating staff members.
Help ensure adherence to forensic standards and departmental procedures.
Coordinate assignments or specialized projects as needed.
Support investigators in identifying, documenting, and preserving evidence for criminal investigations.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and work weekends, evenings, or holidays when required.