Part Time Forensic Specialist I

Description

The Anaheim Police Department is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented individual for the position of Part Time Forensic Specialist I. The Forensic Specialist will perform the full range of complex and technical crime scene investigation duties. Gathering, preserving, interpreting and presenting crime scene evidence or processing evidence in the lab is done under close review of a supervisor and/or a full journey-level Forensic Specialist II. Court testimony is limited to presentation of crime scene evidence. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in taking crime scene photos as well as processing and lifting latent prints.
This is a part-time position averaging 30 hours per week. A minimum number of hours is not guaranteed.
To learn more about the Anaheim Police Department, visit http://anaheim.net/171/Police-Department

Essential Functions

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Conducts crime scene investigations to recognize, search for, document, develop, enhance, collect and preserve all types of evidence.
• Records or visualizes physical or trace evidence through such photographic techniques as macro, micro, infrared, and ultraviolet photography and the use of alternate light sources.
• Collects, photographs and preserves fingerprints, palm prints, and other types of body prints.
• May perform aerial photography assignments.
• Develops, enhances, preserves, photographs and collects fingerprints, palm prints, and other types of body prints, using various visual, physical, chemical and other scientific methods.
• Collects fingerprints and other evidence and takes photographs of deceased victims in various stages of decomposition.
• Takes various types of photographs and videos of persons and objects. Downloads, enhances, prints, enlarges and mounts color and black & white photographs.
• Photographs and prepares castings of tire impressions, foot impressions, hand impressions, tool and other types of impressions. Analyzes and prepares conclusions of evidence for use in court testimony.
• Operates digital, film, and video camera equipment and other specialized equipment in the recording, development, enhancement, collection and presentation of crime scene evidence.
• Prepares hand drawn and computer generated sketches and diagrams.
• Performs various types of specialized tests, such as gunshot residue tests, suspect rape exams, fingernail swabs & scrapings and DNA collection.
• Prepares and maintains detailed reports and records. Prepares in-depth reports and accompanying evidence for court presentation. Reconstructs crime scenes.
• Serves as the recognized expert in court in the presentation and verification of collected evidence such as bloodstain interpretation, projectile trajectory, fingerprints, photography, and diagramming.
• Performs related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Experience: Responsible experience in taking and processing photographs and lifting and classifying fingerprints from a crime scene or evidence. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying
Knowledge of: Identification, collection, preservation and processing of physical evidence; fingerprinting processes; rules of evidence; police procedures; Federal, State and local laws regulating the collection and preservation of evidence; crime scene report writing ; court testimony procedures and techniques; photography equipment with emphasis on digital, film and video cameras; software used in the processing of digital images and videos; the use of alternate light sources; latent print analysis procedures.
Ability to: Learn the full spectrum of crime scene investigation duties; take and process effective and useful crime scene photos; lift latent fingerprints according to established systems and procedures; operate digital, film and video equipment in the gathering and presentation of evidence; accurately and confidently give courtroom testimony regarding the collection of crime scene evidence; prepare and present thorough and accurate crime scene reports; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain accurate and complete files and records; learn the processes necessary to accurately reconstruct a crime scene for use during courtroom testimony; learn the skills necessary to present expert testimony; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
License/Certification Required: Possession of a valid California Driver's License by date of appointment.
International Association for Identification (IAI) Crime Scene Certification (Certified Crime Scene Investigator) or Latent Print Certification is desirable.
NOTE: This position requires the ability to work assigned shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Physical Conditions: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to complete the collection of crime scene evidence which includes activities involving climbing stairs and ladders, bending, lifting, crawling into small/confined spaces, working with chemicals in the processing of photographs and evidence, and tolerating adverse conditions such as fingerprinting and photographing deceased victims.

Supplemental Information

• Any illegal use, sales, or possession of a drug classified as an opiate (heroin, opium, etc.) or PCP.
• Any use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) within five years of date of application.
• Any illegal use of anabolic steroids within three years of date of application.
• A pattern or history of irresponsibility as evidenced by debt collections, civil judgments, failure to pay, late payments, etc.
• Two or more at-fault traffic collisions within three years of the date of application.
• Conviction of a hit-and run offense.
• Any driver's license suspension within five years of date of application.
• Conviction of a felony crime.
• Conviction of any misdemeanor crime within five years of application.
• Any conviction as an adult, of any misdemeanor crime involving domestic violence, sexual-related offenses or crimes against children.
• Any conviction as an adult, of a theft or larceny crime.

• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens (GHB, MDMA/ecstasy, ketamine, etc.) previous to five years of application.
• Prior nitrous oxide use.
• Illegal use of anabolic steroids previous to three years of application.
• Illegal use of a hypodermic needle/ syringe.
• A bankruptcy within the past three years of date of application.
• More than one moving violation in the past 12 months, and/or three or more moving citations within the past three years, and/or five or more moving citations within the past five years of date of application.