Criminal Forensic Investigator

The City of Fishers is seeking a full-time Criminal Forensic Investigator to join the Forensic Services Unit with the Fishers Police Department. This role performs advanced protective services work ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the Forensic Services Unit. The purpose of the position is to ensure the proper collection of evidence and integrity of crime scenes. The person in this position has the unique responsibility to ensure the evidence collected at the scene of a crime is properly labeled and placed in the correct location of the property room. For any case, maintaining the chain of custody of the evidence is critical. Reports to the Forensic Services Unit supervisor.

• Investigate the scene of the incident according to Department policies and procedures. This involves collecting, documenting, marking, and packaging physical evidence along with taking photographs/video and collecting statements, eliciting responses, and reviewing evidence and requests for crime lab examination.
• Taking command of the crime scene evidence processing tasks (collection and documentation of evidence) will require the ability to multi-task and make quick and accurate decisions.
• Effectively communicate with all agency personnel including case detectives, patrol officers, and supervision.
• Fills out the correct paperwork. This includes but is not limited to a supplemental report, property sheet, completion of evidence field notes, and case specific documentation. Prepares investigative reports, lab report requests, and crime scene reports.
• Works closely with the Hamilton County Coroner by attending autopsies, properly documenting death scenes, and collecting evidence including bodily fluids, tissue, and/or other hazardous materials.
• Oversee the transfer and review of evidence from the City of Fishers facility to an appropriate facility for analysis at the officer's request. Property may be sent to a variety of institutions including but not limited to, the Indiana State Police for analysis, the Courts, Federal or local agencies, back to the initiating officer, sent out for destruction, etc. This person must maintain the proper chain of custody from the time the property is taken into the department until it is returned to its owner or sent for lawful destruction.
• Prepares testimony for use in court when the appearance in court is necessary.
• Reviews paperwork for discovery requests. Ensures that all discoverable items are forwarded to the appropriate offices in a timely manner. Communicates with officers and other employees to accomplish these requests. Knowledgeable with the operating procedures regarding the in-car and interviewing video system. Ensures that if video is available for an incident that it is properly built in the system and forwarded to the correct offices/personnel.
• Uses a computerized recordkeeping system; generates transactions regarding intake and release of items and maintains the documentation to ensure that the chain of custody is accurate and complete up and to the point that the item(s) are released to an owner, court, other, or destroyed pursuant to department policy.
• Ability to accurately perform all duties of the Forensics Services Unit Property Technician, see job description for further.
• Attend training sessions and conferences for evidence technicians and become proficient in these areas: crime scene photography, recovery of latent prints on various surfaces, casting evidence(foot prints, finger prints), impression indentation recovery, video camera training, crime scene sketching, crime scene mapping using forensic scanner (FARO), computer training, questioned document training, proper DNA recovery, shooting reconstruction, UAS procedures and operations, and death investigation processing, etc.
• Maintain qualifications and certifications of specialized equipment such as the Unmanned Aircraft System.
• Ability to be on call 24 hours a day including holidays or as designated and scheduled by the Forensic Services Unit supervisor. Ability to respond to scenes within the city limits of Fishers within a reasonable time period not to exceed 30 minutes.
• Utilize a police radio to acknowledge runs dispatched and noting the relevant information. Ability to relay pertinent information via police radio and maintain radio discipline.
• Perform as liaison between the Department and the community. This includes returning lost or stolen property to citizens, etc. Develops and instructs trainings for community programs including but not limited to the Citizen's Police Academy, Explorer Program, Alumni Citizen's Academy, Government Academy, Teen Academy, etc.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by a supervisor.

• High school diploma or GED and considerable relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred;
• Experience required as an evidence technician or in forensic lab work;
• Crime scene mapping using forensic scanner (FARO) highly preferred;
• Successful completion of the National Forensic Academy (NFA) or equivalent program may be considered as a substitution for a degree and/or experience;
• Must have valid Indiana driver's license;
• Ability to work outside normal business hours when necessary for meetings, training, or emergencies/on-call assignments that includes 24-hour and holidays on-call or as designated and scheduled by the Forensic Services Unit supervisor;
• Ability to respond to scenes within the city limits of Fishers within a reasonable time period not to exceed 30 minutes;
• Basic knowledge of office equipment, MS Office software, and general business practices.

Employment Type: Full-Time