Evidence/Forensic Lab Manager

The purpose of this job is to manage the Forensic/Property Unit, which includes the LCPD Property Room, Evidence Processing Lab and associated areas, and assigned personnel.  Receives and fulfills incoming requests for the forensic processing of evidence items and responds to crime scenes for the purposes of scene processing and evidence collection.  Ensures the Unit and its personnel are knowledgeable and aware of the legal issues relating to evidence/forensics and continues to stay current with emerging technologies and advancements in a variety of forensic disciplines in order to fulfill the needs of the Department and community at large.  This is a safety sensitive and/or DOT position.  As such, you will be required to participate in random drug testing at the city.The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Manages Forensic/Property personnel and daily operations of unit.
• Oversees intake, internal and external requests for service, property releases, training and instruction of department personnel.
• Troubleshoots procedural, technical, and other issues.
• Oversees Forensic Video Analysis and Collections activities. Recovers video evidence from businesses and residences; reviews and processes footage and images for investigators; troubleshoots a variety of technical issues related to video evidence.
• Uses forensic tools to extract data from cellular phones and mobile devices.
• Processes Forensic evidence in LCPD lab, including photography, latent prints, DNA and presumptive testing.
• Responds to crime scenes to assist with proper documentation, recognition, collection and preservation of evidence.
• Maintains, researches and purchase supplies and tools for Patrol Officers, Investigators, and the Forensic Unit.
• Conducts inspections and audits of Evidence areas; reviews evidence procedures and policies.
• Assists with training agency personnel in evidence practices and procedures.
• Performs related work as required.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in science, technology, criminal justice or a related field
• At least five (5) years of experience in forensic, scientific, or criminal justice fields. 

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Crime Scene Certification from the International Association for Identification (IAI), or equivalent
• Forensic Video Certification from the Law Enforcement Video Association (LEVA), or equivalent
• Property Room Management Certifications from the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians (TAPEIT), or equivalent

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

• Vendor specific certifications for the use of forensic tools (Cellbrite, Graykey, Leica, etc.)

Knowledge of:

• English grammar, spelling, punctuation
• RMS system to generate and review stats and reports on property, offenses, and officer submissions
• Court decisions and legal issues related to evidence retention, storage, and release/disposition
• MobileVision, Mideo Caseworks, and other software to locate, verify, and provide evidence materials on demand
• Best practices for the forensic recovery, receipt, and handling of video evidence
• Hash values, authentication, integrity verification of digital media
• Digital Mulitmedia Evidence Interpretation, Image Analysis, and Photographic/Video Comparison techniques
• Operate forensic tools such as Cellebrite UFED, BlackBag Mobilyze, etc. - in order to extract and analyze data from cell phones / mobile devices
• Specialized software and tools for the review, analysis, and processing of digital evidence such as ClearID, dTective, iNPUT-ACE, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Photoshop, DVR Examiner, FFMpeg, VirtualDub, MediaINFO, Omnivore, etc.
• DVR recorder hardware, codecs and compression methods, and how they effect digital multimedia evidence
• Case law & relevant issues pertaining to Forensic Video Analysis
• Legal issues related to the search and seizure of mobile devices and the data contained within (physical, logical, cloud, etc.)
• DSLR Camera and laboratory photographic techniques
• Cyanoacrylate fuming chambers and various powders for latent print processing
• Use of powers, chemicals and reagents for evidence detection and enhancement (blood, fibers, prints, etc.)
• Alternate Light Source (Spex Crime-Scope, Krimesite, etc.) to locate, enhance, and photograph trace evidence
• Factors that impact the presence and sustainability of DNA & trace evidence
• Operation of Leica Geosystems Laser Scanner for Crime Scene Mapping
• Property Room audits and inventory techniques using computerized RMS system
• State & Federal laws pertaining to evidence storage and retention
• ISO lab standards and forensic accreditation bodies
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Specialized forensic disciplines - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Ballistic Trajectory & Reconstruction, etc.
• RM and Cellebrite and Black Bag Technologies extraction software
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Formulate, review, and implement evidence policies and procedures in accordance with best practices and State law.
• Manage and work with forensic / property personnel and delegate tasks according to individual strengths.
• Use RMS system to generate and review stats and reports on property, offenses, and officer submissions.
• Operate forensic tools to extract and analyze data from cell phones / mobile devices.
• Parse large amounts of technical data and identify elements related to criminal activity / evidence of a crime.
• Stay current with technological advancements in evidence collection, storage and submission.
• Design and conduct Property Room Audits & Inventories using computerized RMS system.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

Salary : $76,057 - $110,283