Job Description
Duties and Requirements Click to read more
Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Conducts crime scene searches, including collecting, processing, and maintaining custody, care, and control of all evidence obtained from the scene.
- Photographs and sketches major crime scenes.
- Submits evidence to qualified forensic laboratories and receives returned evidence for court presentation.
- Retrieves fingerprints for crime scenes and other officers and compares them with suspects' fingerprints.
- Receives fingerprint cards of newly incarcerated offenders from Records Division.
- Classifies fingerprint cards and enters classification in the computer for further reference.
- Retrieves fingerprint cards of suspects for comparison with latent prints.
- Photographs latent and rolled fingerprints for court presentation.
- Maintains and utilizes official surveillance equipment as needed.
- Testifies in court regarding fingerprint evidence, as well as "pen packs" on the punishment phase of criminal cases.
- Classifies, registers, and enters fingerprints into the Office of Public Safety's Automated fingerprint identification System (AFIS).
- Enters unknown prints in AFIS.
- Retrieves and manages prints already entered in AFIS.
- Photographs crime and other scenes, including overseeing the development and printing of film.
- Maintains files of crime scene negatives.
- Prints mug shots and constructs photo line-ups for investigators using X-ray image.
- Copies photographs as needed,
- Performs handwriting analysis, including examining, and comparing handwriting for various agencies, maintaining files of handwriting analysis, and testifying in court on related matters.
- Assists with narcotics searches, including collecting, preserving, submitting, and maintaining custody of all evidence.
- Handies all evidence received by the Sheriff's Office, including filing, organizing for court
- presentation, maintaining records of all evidence for the disposition of property, disposing of evidence, and maintaining security of evidence.
- Attends all autopsies for photographs, fingerprints, and evidence removed by the pathologist.
- Instructs training classes on crime scenes, fingerprints, evidence, and other issues.
- Assists other divisions, sections, or personnel in the office as needed or directed.
- Shall be assigned to on-call duty within CSU investigators.
Requirements
Qualifications, Education, and/or experience
- 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.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma/graduation or its equivalent.
- Preferred Bachelor's Degree in forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or related field.
- Additional certification may be required.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and deductive reasoning skills.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
- Able to operate specialized computer software and photographic equipment.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to workday and night shifts, and over weekends.
- Ability to travel.
KNOWLEDGE OF
- Crime Scene Investigators need to be familiar with procedures such as processing evidence, testifying in court, and standard office practices and procedures.
SKILL/ABILITY TO
- Operate computers; write reports, letters, and other documents using proper format and grammar. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; physically restrain other individuals; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and their families, and the public.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Must have valid Texas driver's license.
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Job Tags
Night shift, Weekend work,