Criminalist

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Summary

Under general supervision, responds as directed to potential crime scenes following standardized principles, practices, and procedures to include but not limited to collecting, storing, recording, documenting, processing and/or releasing evidence/property. The work environment will be indoors as well as outdoors. The employee will act as a point of contact for citizens, officers, and attorneys. This position must have a strong work ethic, superior organizational skills, must follow directions, meet deadlines, have good attendance, be punctual, be reliable, be motivated, have initiative, have honesty, have integrity, be free from moral turpitude, and have a proper attitude. Employee must be available to always communicate with others.

• Prepare, collect, document, process, maintain and dispose of evidence in accordance with Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and/or ordered directive
• Prepare reports and other written documentation as needed
• Provide internal and external customer service
• Communicate and assist law enforcement officials and others regarding evidence status
• Testify in court as a witness as required• Receives, collects evidence/property, maintain care, custody and control, and release or destroy evidence and any other stored property in accordance with established operating procedures (SOP)
• Develop evidence/property statistics and reports
• Research, locate, and return property to appropriate owner/custodian using established procedures
• Photograph, video-record, diagram, scan and preserve any area designated as a potential crime scene including those item(s) contained within the scene, the surrounding area or other areas as directed
• Research, update, and modify law enforcement database information appropriately
• Collect, process, preserve, package, store, transport and dispose of hazardous material and bio-hazardous material in accordance with established laws and SOP
• Transport evidence and property to authorized storage locations, laboratories, processing plants, and criminal court for trials while maintaining chain of custody
• Process and or analyze all collected evidence to include, but not limited to fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, DNA and trace evidence, etc.
• Assume care, custody, and control of evidence/property in accordance with established rules of evidence and procedures
• Assist at crime scenes and pathology labs to include but not limited to photography, videotaping, inked rolled impressions, or as directed by the attending pathologist, Detective or Supervisor
• Available to respond after normal work hours to any active crime scene when requested
• Transport, arrange, coordinate, and facilitate the destruction and disposal of evidence/property in accordance with Texas Statutes
• Work with law enforcement to identify, isolate and secure the crime scene
• Work with law enforcement to establish a restricted perimeter around the crime scene as to not compromise evidence
• Work with law enforcement to define a clear set of restrictions regarding nonessential personnel and investigative personnel
• Preserve, collect, and record impressions, including tool marks, footprints, tire marks, bite marks, and fingerprints
• Collect DNA evidence, including blood, semen, hair, skin, blood stain patterns, bodily fluids, and nails
• Collect trace evidence, including gunshot residue, fibers, accelerant, glass, etc.
• Collect firearms evidence, including weapons, spent cartridges, and bullet fragments
• Requires the employee to be able to render credible testimony in any court proceeding to include Justice Courts, County Courts, District Courts, and any U.S. Federal Court
• Perform other duties as assigned

• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor’s degree in natural or forensic science, or related field, preferred
• One year in crime scene related activities, preferred
• Two to three years of work experience in a police evidence room or other law enforcement work, preferred
• Three to five years experience in Evidence/Property Room Management, preferred
• Three to five years experience Forensic Photographer, preferred
• Three to five years experience with death and sexual assault crime scene processing, preferred

• Current Class C Texas Driver’s License
• Expert Witness, preferred

Salary : $50,158 - $53,213