Crime Scene Investigator | City of Frederick

 
Crime Scene Investigator
Location: Frederick, MD
Job Number: POS-95-23

Salary: $30.00 - $33.00 Hourly
Closing Date: June 7, 2023

JOB SUMMARY: 

A Crime Scene Investigator is directly responsible for the difficult and skilled specialized work of identifying, documenting, collecting, and preserving evidence at investigations in support of law enforcement activities. A Crime Scene Investigator performs the following duties: photographs crime scenes including burglaries, robberies, deaths, thefts, search and seizure warrants, and assaults to record the appearance of evidence using highly-skilled photographic and evidence-gathering techniques; identifies, collects, and secures physical evidence such as: blood, body fluids, hair and fibers, firearms, and narcotics for laboratory testing and use as evidence in criminal prosecutions; searches for and develops fingerprints at crime scenes and participates in laboratory processing; prepares presentations of evidence and testifies in court proceedings. A Crime Scene Investigator may also provide evidentiary analysis and digital evidence to law enforcement personnel and authorized agencies. An important aspect of the position is to establish and maintain records to ensure proper chain of custody of physical evidence, which is critical to the successful prosecution of a case.

 

Special Considerations: The Crime Scene Investigator is a civilian position assigned to the Special Services Bureau in the Police Department. This employee participates in trainings as part of their regularly scheduled duties. Work requires the exercise of initiative and independent judgment in implementing established work methods and procedures. Functional supervision may be received from a sworn police supervisor, command officer, or other unit members on a crime scene. The work requires exposure to dangerous chemicals and evidence that may be bio-hazardous and carcinogenic. A Crime Scene Investigator is required to use a respirator when these elements may be present. The Crime Scene Investigator position requires shift work and is subject to emergency call-out. A Crime Scene Investigator must reside within the departmental radius for on call vehicles and must be able to comply with departmental call-in response times. 

 
Special Selection criteria: Must possess an excellent moral character and background that will withstand a comprehensive background investigation and subsequent polygraph(s).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Utilizes a complex record keeping system ensuring proper evidence handling and maintenance of chain of custody; 
• Communicates with sworn officers, coworkers, supervisors, and a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, processing crime scenes, and explaining procedures; 
• Interacts with victims and witnesses; 
• Testifies in court; 
• Inspects and visually investigates crime scenes (burglaries, deaths, robberies, assaults, etc.) for the collection and preservation of evidence; 
• Photographs, dusts, and lifts latent prints; 
• Uses specific lighting techniques to make visible latent physical evidence; 
• Works with chemicals, powders, and body fluids using normal protective equipment according to prescribed safety standards and regulations; 
• Operates a motor vehicle requiring a standard Driver's License to respond to crime scenes; 
• Maintains sufficient inventory of PPE and evidence packaging supplies for sworn officers; 
• Performs maintenance and upkeep of forensic laboratory equipment; 
• Tests and evaluates new photographic techniques and equipment; 
• Production of crime scene sketches and various digital presentations;
• Analyze case information (i.e. crime scenes, items of evidence, and witness statements) to assist sworn investigators in creating forensic links (ties) throughout/during investigations; 
• Determines procedures/ methodology to be used when identifying, collecting, and processing evidence; 
• Learns job-related material in a classroom setting and through on-the-job training regarding the processing and preservation of physical and photographic evidence; 
• And other duties as assigned.

 
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 

• US Citizen, at least 18 years of age 
• Graduation from high school or GED required. 
• College degree in law enforcement/crime scene/forensics or equivalent work experience. 

 
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES: 

• Valid Driver’s License, at least equivalent to a Maryland Class C 

 
OTHER DESIRABLES: 

• Bilingual 
• Courses in the collection and preservation of evidence are highly desirable. 
• Crime scene training is highly desirable 

 
SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.) 
Knowledge of: 

• Knowledge of law enforcement activities and the organization of a police department, and the functions of a police identification laboratory 
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and city law enforcement procedures and practices, as they pertain to required reports and evidence handling 
• Ability to differentiate between emergency and non-emergency calls and to determine the appropriate response to each 
• Knowledge of and ability to use police radio for communication with officers 
• Ability to enter and retrieve data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device 
• Ability to communicate orally with customers, clients, the public, and other employees in a face-to-face setting, and using a telephone 
• Ability to perform duties rapidly and accurately 
• Ability to keep privileged information confidential 
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions in the English language 
• Ability to read maps and learn the geography of the City 
• Ability to observe and recall details 
• Ability to learn photographic techniques and methods including the use of a variety of film, lighting, filtration, infrared, and ultraviolet techniques; 
• Ability to learn to use powders and chemicals to process scenes for latent fingerprints and subsequent lifting/ photographing 
• Ability to learn standard techniques for classification, development, transfer, and chemical processing of fingerprints 
• Ability to learn the techniques for gathering and preserving physical evidence 
• Ability to learn the rules of evidence and court methods and procedures 
• Ability to learn the hazards and safety precautions related to chemicals and equipment used in processing evidence 
• Ability to learn gunshot residue testing and field drug testing 
• Ability to present accurate and professional testimony in court 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel, federal, state, and regional law enforcement agencies, court personnel, and the public. 

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

While performing the duties of this role, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to read and comprehend written material and make inferences from the contents. This position requires continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements to utilize a computer keyboard to enter and retrieve data. The employee is required to frequently bend, stoop, and work in small, cramped area to gather crime evidence. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken word and for conveying details or important instructions to others accurately and quickly either face to face, on the telephone, and/or through e-mail. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing crime scenes, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, distinguish colors when using chemicals and detecting blood, and observing general surroundings and activities. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 25 pounds. Employee must be able to use a respirator when performing duties requiring exposure to dangerous chemicals and evidence that may be bio-hazardous and carcinogenic. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 
Work is generally performed in a variety of weather conditions while collecting crime scene evidence. The noise level in the work environment can be moderate to loud.