Crime Scene Investigator - Digital Forensics | Union County Sheriff's Office
Employer: Union County Sheriff's Office
Salary : $54,275.27 - $81,412.90 Annually
Location: Union County Sheriff's Office 3370 Presson Rd. Monroe, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 5074-A1
Department: CRIME LAB
Division: CRIME LAB
Closing Date: 11/28/2025 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Description
The Crime Scene Investigator performs technical work related to the collection, processing, analysis, preservation, and disposition of crime scene evidence and other types of property. Employee identifies, documents, preserves, processes, and collects physical evidence found at crime scenes. Employee maintains detailed records of all evidence in accordance with county, state, and federal rules/regulations. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing assigned tasks. Employee must also exercise tact, courtesy, and firmness in frequent contact with the public. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of law enforcement work.
Essential Job Functions
- Analyzes, documents, preserves, and collects evidence.
- Photographs, videos, sketches, measures, and documents all evidence collected from crime scenes.
- Writes detailed reports about crime scenes and what actions were taken on the scene.
- Preserves crime scene evidence (logs-in items, categorizes and stores evidence/property) following standard procedures.
- Identifies and collects latent prints, suspected blood evidence, clothing, ballistics, trace, arson, drug, shoe, tire, forgery, question document, and electronic (computer) evidence.
- Processes for latent prints found at crime scenes and reviews collected prints for quality in the Crime Lab.
- Provides technical expertise and direction at crime scenes.
- Searches crime scenes using alternate light sources.
- Testifies in court proceedings
- Reconstructs crime scenes for blood spatter interpretation.
- Use Luminol/Bluestar to search for latent blood at crime scenes.
- Tests suspected blood using Phenolphthalein.
- Documents exact dimensions of crime scenes using various techniques.
- Prepares courtroom quality diagrams with important evidentiary items highlighted.
- Prepares packages and submits evidence to the UCSO or State Crime Lab for examination.
- Enhances still images using photographic software.
- Researches new forensic procedures and maintains Crime Scene Certification.
- Processes videos taken from crime scenes for enhancement.
- Assists officers with evidence packaging and submission of evidence to the UCSO or State Crime Lab.
- Remains on standby, responds to crime scenes as requested and is open to shift work and on-call schedules.
- Serves as an advisor for Sheriff’s Office personnel on all forensic matters.
- Monitors quantity and restocks evidence collection materials.
- Maintains an orderly Crime Lab at all times.
- Lectures at local schools as a representative of the Sheriff’s Office of Forensic Services to provide information on Crime Scene Investigation techniques and pursuing a job in the career field.
- Photographs community events for Sheriff’s Office.
DUAL FUNCTIONS
- CSI for this position will be expected to cross train and obtain certifications in Digital Forensics.
- Completes digital forensic examinations on various digital devices including, but not limited to; cellular phones, tablets and computers.
- Identification, documentation, collection and analysis of digital evidence in criminal investigations.
- Completes comprehensive and detailed written reports of all actions and processes used while performing a digital analysis.
- Decides on the best method for preserving the integrity of the original evidence and recovering deleted/erased, hidden and encrypted digital evidence. Ensures evidence integrity and maintains chain of custody.
- Assists detectives and other agency personnel by providing technical expertise and assisting in field investigations
- Utilizes various forensic tools and software for acquisition of data
- Disassembles, examines, and identifies computer systems, hardware components, and operational conditions of digital evidence to be analyzed.
- Prepares diagrams, evidence and reports for presentation in court; Provides testimony, as requested, in court.
- Maintains training or certifications and professional membership affiliations.
- Qualified as an expert witness in digital forensics
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Requires an Associate’s Degree from an accredited university in Criminal Justice, Physical or Natural Sciences, Criminal/Forensic Sciences or related field and one year of experience in Crime Scene; or an acceptable combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
Licenses or Certifications:
- Must complete a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours of Crime Scene Certification Board approved instruction in crime scene related courses within one (1) year of employment and possess or obtain Crime Scene Investigator Certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) within the first 24 months of employment.
- Must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education/professional development credits every year thereafter to maintain certification.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Additional Information
- Must be physically able to operate a variety of crime scene/law enforcement equipment including cameras, two-way radios, mobile phones, computers, fax machines, mobile command centers, etc.
- Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Physical demands are in excess of those of sedentary work. Work involves walking, standing, running, climbing, reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and jumping for varying periods of time.
- Must be physically able to occasionally and/or frequently lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to fifty (50) pounds. Physical demand requirements are for those of medium work.
Work is performed in an environment where errors on their part can lead to significant physical or mental consequences for them or others.
