Supervising Forensic Investigator

Under general direction, supervises the forensic investigation and processing of crime scenes and related evidence, provides direct supervisory oversight of subordinate personnel, processes and evaluates evidence, examines latent fingerprints, trains and evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel and performs related duties and responsibilities in accordance with Police Department policies and procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the supervisory-level class in the Forensic Investigator series. A Supervising Forensic Investigator works under general direction and within the framework of established procedures and is expected to exercise first-line supervisory authority, independent judgment and oversee, direct and perform a variety of advanced, complex and difficult duties within the Forensic Investigations unit. Adequate performance at this level requires independent decision making ability, the ability to supervise the activities of others, and knowledge of departmental procedures and complex, advanced and accepted forensic practices.

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

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  Supervises and directs the activities of the Forensics Unit staff including employee selection, work assignment, performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary action and complaint resolution.
• Prepares work schedules, approves vacation and leave schedules; assists with functions performed by line staff and overall workload as necessary to maintain adequate shift and/or unit coverage.
• Assists in identifying opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures and protocols; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; submits recommendations and implements improvements.
• Provides technical forensic advice and assistance on difficult, complex forensic assignments.
• Performs inspection of laboratory facility for procedural compliance and safety; monitors the use and purchase of supplies; remains current on industry standards, techniques and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains a variety of logs and records including statistical information covering the range of functions performed; gathers information and prepares routine reports as assigned; enters, inputs, and retrieves a variety of information using a computer terminal.
• Provides detailed instruction and training to police personnel, students, interns, and members of the community on the techniques utilized in crime scene processing, crime scene photography, and latent print processing; provides training on forensic fingerprint equipment (live scan).
• Maintains awareness of new forensic techniques and court rulings; attends and participates in job related training courses; participates in peer review process; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Assists in preparing the section budget and monitors the expenses of the assigned unit; identifies, researches, and prepares requests for purchases related to the forensics operation.
• Researches and assists in the development of grant applications pertinent to the forensics operation.
• Maintains the upkeep of assigned facilities, vehicles, and equipment; maintains adequate supplies and forensic equipment and material.
• Serves as unit liaison to other Police Department units, other City departments, and members of the public as required. Responds to and resolves customer inquiries and complaints.
• Performs related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training
• Team dynamics and team building
• Basic law enforcement theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of activities and operations.
• Crime scene evidence collection practices and procedures.
• Methods of preserving evidence at crime scenes.
• Analysis and identification procedures for latent fingerprint evidence.
• Various methods of fingerprint classification; fingerprint pattern recognition.
• Modern photographic and videographic equipment and techniques.
• Current scientific techniques and methods utilized in laboratory analysis of evidence.
• Use and care of laboratory instruments and apparatus used in evidence examination.
• Methods used to make cast impressions of tire tracks, shoeprints, and other physical evidence.
• Principles, practices, and safe work methods used in collecting, processing, logging, storing, and safeguarding evidence, property, and materials including hazardous materials.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and department rules, policies and procedures including laws, policies, and procedures applying to the collection and preservation of physical evidence.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Methods and techniques used in the preparation of case notes, sketches, and records.
• Report writing techniques.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff.
• Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues.
• Perform a full range of non-sworn law enforcement activities involved in providing a variety of forensic investigative services including the preparation of case notes, sketches, records, reports, and statements; exercise independent judgment and work with a minimum of supervision.
• Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City, the Police Department, and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Apply crime scene evidence collection practices and procedures.
• Recognize, collect, preserve, transport, and analyze physical evidence without contamination.
• Prepare and testify in court on latent palm and fingerprint evidence.
• Learn, utilize, and stay current with technological issues pertaining to forensic investigation.
• Perform effectively and maintain professional composure at unpleasant crime and accident scenes.
• Photograph and collect evidence from deceased persons; work with deceased persons in varying stages of decomposition.
• Recognize fingerprint patterns.
• Prepare clear, concise, factual, and thorough reports and statements.
• Testify in court as an expert witness.
• Operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages.
• Operate assigned vehicle in a safe manner.
• Operate specialized automated law enforcement information and communication systems including public safety computer systems to access and maintain data.
• Use and operate assigned tools and equipment including camera and evidence/fingerprint kit.
• Exercise good judgment in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Analyze situations and adopt a course of action.
• Use good judgment when confronted with difficult situations.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Work irregular and on-call hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Possession of certificate of completion of a recognized Fingerprint course.
• Possession of certification from the International Association for Identification as a Latent Print Examiner is highly desirable.
• POST coursework and/or certification are strongly desired.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Office, laboratory, and field setting; travel from site to site; exposure to inclement weather conditions; some exposure to fumes, unpleasant odors, airborne and contact pathogens, bio-hazardous conditions such as blood and bodily fluids, unidentified chemicals, and narcotics; some exposure to moving mechanical parts; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be very loud due to sirens, etc. Incumbents are required to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office, laboratory, and field setting; to walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; regularly stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; work at heights on scaffolding and ladders; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; frequently lift and/or move moderate to heavy weights; occasionally lift and/or more heavy weights; operate law enforcement and general office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; visually distinguish colors and picture resolution quality.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230.