Criminalist

Under general supervision of the CSI & Property Evidence Manager, the Criminalist will respond to crime scenes and perform technical investigations that involve the identification, collection, preservation, packaging and analysis of evidence.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

• Processes crime scenes by personally visiting the crime scene, making and recording observations, collecting evidence, packaging and preserving and analyzing evidence to aid the prosecution of perpetrators.
• Processes crime scenes by taking photographs, dusting for fingerprints, collecting, preserving and logging physical evidence, packaging and inventorying evidence; preparing detailed forensic laboratory reports, and delivering evidence to the Department of Public Safety laboratory for analysis.
• Responds to fatality and serious injury accident scenes for photographic, evidentiary and evidence collection purposes.
• Composes detailed crime-scene investigation sketches and reports.
• Maintains a comprehensive latent fingerprint collection by lifting latent fingerprints at crime scenes; analyze and interpret latent fingerprints, making positive identification, a negative comparison or determining a print is of no value for comparison purposes; making comparisons of known prints against latent fingerprints.
• Mixes and uses chemicals to process evidence; use alternate light sources to locate latent prints, serological, biological fluids and trace evidence.
• Operates the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to develop candidate lists for conducting comparisons to identify individuals and latent prints.
• Reviews all Crime Scene Reports and Lab Reports.
• Reconstructs major crime scenes using advanced forensic techniques such as blood spatter interpretation, gunshot trajectory etc.
• Testifies in court as expert witness regarding crime scene and police identification matters and evidence seized and evaluated from crime scenes.
• Provides training classes for police officers on crime scenes, teaching classes at police academies and providing public safety education at public schools.

• Responds to crime scenes and emergency situations during regular work hours, evenings and weekends.
• Ensures that the lab is kept clean and evidence is processed in a timely manner.
• Ensures all divisions in the police department have an adequate supply of crime scene processing materials and evidence collection, and packaging supplies.
• Sets up and operates still and video camera equipment. This includes preparing court photographic enlargements for jury illustrations.
• Ensures the Crime Scene Unit's vehicles are properly maintained.
• Researches forensic science field for current materials regarding new techniques in locating, collecting and preserving all types of physical evidence.
• Maintains forensic field and laboratory supplies for the department.
• Conducts briefings and training requested or required.
• Travels to attend meetings, conferences, and training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

• Must be proficient in the use of computers and modern office equipment.
• Must be able to operate photographic equipment and computer software.
• Must have Complete basic and intermediate mathematical calculations relevant to documenting and reconstructing crime scenes.
• Knowledge in the use of hand tools including hammers, metal detectors, saws, pliers, electric drills, scissors, scalpels, tweezers, and forceps in recovery and processing of evidential items.
• Must have the ability to organize and manage time efficiently.
• Must be able to work independently in the absence of immediate supervision.
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Bachelor's Degree in a natural science or closely related field or Associate Degree and three (3) years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Completed courses in crime scene investigation, latent fingerprint examination and comparison preferred.
• A.F.I.S. Certification from Texas preferred, or ability to obtain within two (2) years of employment.
• Crime scene certifications preferred.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, polygraph and psychological examination and physical agility exam.
• Must possess a valid State of Texas Class C Driver's License.

• Work is performed in municipal police department office and crime scene environments.
• May be subject to exposure to extreme weather conditions, hostile environments, hazardous chemicals and fumes, body fluids, infectious diseases, air and water borne pathogens.
• Work in close proximity to dead bodies in various stages of putrefaction to recover and record evidence, photographing and videotaping the scene.
• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.
• Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing – for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

• Work performed is primarily medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, copier, calculator, fax machine and other standard office equipment, standard issue police equipment, photographic equipment, chemical analysis and fingerprint kits and department vehicles. Standard crime scene investigation equipment to include generators, portable lighting, metal detector, crime scene search equipment and tools, chemicals.