CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN

JOB SUMMARY
This is a professional non-sworn position within the Evidence Section. A Crime Scene Technician assists police officers assigned to the investigation of criminal cases. The employee in this position is responsible for executing competent forensic processing during calls for service. Often these calls develop into complex investigations involving high profile matters and sensitive information.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for assessing scene conditions to determine the scope of the investigation as well as crime scene processing actions needed;
• Gather physical evidence and ensure the integrity of the evidence, prepare detailed investigative and supplemental case reports and communicate with follow-up investigators regarding observations and processing;
• The Crime Scene Investigator provides court presentations and testimony as an expert witness on crime scene investigations;
• Ensures thorough documentation of the scene and actions taken, collection and preservation of physical evidence found at crime scenes and examination and analysis of this evidence;
• Must be able to work without constant/direct supervision and communicate professionally both verbally and in writing;
• Must be willing to work in all types of weather conditions, heights, different terrain and work with bloodborne pathogens as well as hazardous materials;
• Conducts routine inventory of evidence and property; maintains related records;
• Search and recovery of latent fingerprints, palm prints, trace evidence, DNA and other physical evidence;
• Preparing casts and collecting and preserving evidence from the crime scene in order to prepare evidence for submission to the Lab for examination;
• Provides court testimony regarding evidence as required;
• Attends training, meetings, seminars, etc., as required to enhance job knowledge and skills; and
• Prepares and submits various reports as required;
• Performs general clerical work, including but not limited to copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, etc.;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Associates Degree or Higher;
• Four (4) years of relevant prior experience; preferred.
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to photograph scene and evidence in bright light to low light. Ability to photograph using both flash and long exposure as well as other lighting techniques needed to document the subject best
• Ability to process for Latent Prints using dust and chemicals; and submission of latent device
• Knowledge of the Rules of Evidence
• Knowledge of Impression documentation and casting
• Knowledge of tool mark procedures
• Knowledge of tracing evidence documentation and collection
• Knowledge of procedures for biological evidence to include: locating using alternative light sources as well as other means; documenting; use of PPE; collection to preserve the evidence; and packaging to protect all that come in contact with the evidence
• Knowledge of firearm evidence to include: documenting; collection and ensuring it is rendered safe with as little contact as possible; packaging to ensure latent, DNA and trace evidence is preserved; documentation and collection of spent shell casings;packing of casings dependent on the nature of the incident to follow department policies – i.e. shooting hit procedures vs discharging incidents
• Knowledge of homicides/suspicious deaths to include:documentation of the deceased; PPE use; nail scraping, clippings and swabs; postmortem printing of the subject; response to Autopsy and proper procedures required;
• Knowledge of report writing
• Ability to perform Court Room Testimony
• Other duties may be needed based on training and new technology advances.
• Knowledge of AFIS Operation (when being assigned to AFIS) to include: ensuring evidence has been submitted and documented properly; evaluating cards for submission; knowing what can and cannot be entered into AFIS; prior certification in
• Finger and Palm Print Recognition; also be able to pass Sled AFIS Operator Exam
• Knowledgeable when evidence should be sent to SLED’s Lab rather than in-house processing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is considered light-to-medium in nature and involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, fumes and/or noxious odors, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals; and involves critical situations that require major decisions involving people, resources, and property.