Crime Scene Technician & Evidence Custodian

This position performs technical duties in the processing of crime scenes and in managing the storage and security of evidence.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Responds to crime scenes to locate, identify, preserve, photograph, and prepare collected evidence.
2. Maintains and ensures the security of all property and evidence; receives, identifies, and records all incoming property and evidence.
3. Manages the processing, recording, analysis, and storage of digital evidence.
4. Verifies the quantity of evidence; ensures that evidence is correctly packaged and labeled; stores property and evidence in accordance with state certification standards and IAPE guidelines.
5. Enters, retrieves, analyzes, and maintains information in the computerized databases.
6. Maintains chain of custody; inventories and audits evidence records.
7. Releases evidence to officers and representatives of the District Attorney’s Office; maintains chain of custody receipts.
8. Prepares, ships, or delivers evidence and property to crime laboratories for examination.
9. Testifies in court, depositions, and hearings regarding chain of custody and identification of evidentiary items.
10. Investigates ownership of found property and evidence; releases items upon proper identification to rightful owner or authorized court order.
11. Maintains security of property and evidence rooms, and of the off-site impound lot.
12. Researches cases to determine if items submitted have evidentiary value; takes photographs of all items that do not have evidentiary value.
13. Sorts, files, transports, tags, stores, and inventories all evidence, firearms, weapons, paraphernalia, miscellaneous property, and money.
14. Assists in establishing property/evidence accountability and handling procedures with accordance with state certification requirements and IAPE guidelines.
15. Participates in periodic audits and inventories of property and evidence.
16. Maintains current and up-to-date hard file of all property and evidence; attached documents electronically to case reports.
17. Disseminates laboratory findings to officer and updates case files.
18. Prepares and presents court orders to court of jurisdiction of property.
19. Assists officers with the execution of search warrants, seizure of property/evidence, impounds, etc.
20. Intakes, documents, weighs, and identifies marijuana submissions; provides officers with certified marijuana examination reports; records all cases in accordance with GBI protocols.
21. Performs related duties.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

1. Knowledge of chain of custody requirements.
2. Knowledge of evidence identification, collection, storage, and analysis principles and practices.
3. Knowledge of court system and procedures.
4. Knowledge of inventory management and evidence/property auditing principles.
5. Knowledge of crime scene processing and evidence collection principles and practices.
6. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws.
7. Skill in collection, analysis, and storage of evidence.
8. Skill in maintaining the security of evidence and property.
9. Skill in working with the public.
10. Skill in oral and written communication.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Police Captain assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include federal and state laws governing the collection, storage, management, and disposition of evidence; chain of custody standards, court orders, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of related technical duties. Strict regulations and guidelines contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to perform technical duties related to the analysis of crime scenes and the storage and management of evidence. Success in this position contributes to successful prosecution of criminal cases.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city personnel, attorneys, representatives of the District Attorney’s Office, laboratory personnel, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to provide services, to give or exchange information, to justify matters, or to resolve problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping, The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.
• The work is typically performed in an office, stockroom, warehouse, or outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, contagious or infectious diseases, or irritating chemicals. Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree required; and
• More than three years of related experience required; or
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.

Possession of a valid state driver’s license issued for t

Salary : $21