Police Evidence Tech - City of Liberal

Evidence Technician 

Distinguishing Features of the Class:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to provide technical support to Police Officers in photographing, collecting, preserving, and presenting physical evidence. Work is performed in the field, including crime scenes and autopsies, and in the laboratory. Types of crime scenes include person crimes, such as homicides, sexual assaults, and robberies, as well as property crimes and traffic accidents. Evidence includes fingerprints, tire prints, shoe prints, and tool mark impressions. Evidence Technicians also photograph and record crime scenes showing correlation between evidence and the scene, and perform various chemical and photographic processes in the laboratory to develop and preserve evidence. Work is reviewed and evaluated by Latent Print Examiners based on results obtained, observation, and oral and written reports. Shift assignment, weekend, holiday, and on-call rotations are required All city employees are subject to emergency callout if needed.

Essential Functions

• Collects, preserves, and presents latent fingerprints, tire prints, shoe prints, tool marks and other physical evidence;
• Photographs evidence at crime scenes using 35mm cameras;
• Processes evidence in the laboratory using special powders, chemical solutions, forensic light sources, and various cameras, lenses, and filters in order to develop and preserve evidence;
• Attends autopsies to photograph injuries and fingerprint the deceased for identification purposes;
• Testifies in court as a witness in connection to the scenes processed and evidence developed and preserved;
• Writes departmental reports and supplements;
• Accepts, documents, and bar-codes evidence;
• Participates in a structured training program;
• Files palm prints using standard palm print classification;
• Inputs and extract data or information into or from a terminal, PC, or other keyboard or computer, digital device, electronic or battery powered device;
• Sorts, separates, and assembles photographs and negatives from crime scenes to prepare them for filing along with report information;
• Checks incoming fingerprint/palm print cards for duplicates in print files and provides clerical support;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

·         Promotes a positive image self and of the department while maintaining high standards of integrity.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Evidence collection and processing using a variety of technical equipment, materials, and processes.
• Photographic methods and equipment as related to crime scene investigations and laboratory processing.
• Departmental policies, rules and regulations.
• Basic rules of evidence and 4th, 5th and 6th Amendment standards

Ability to:

• Communicate in the English language by phone or in person in a group or one-to-one setting.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Learn job-related material through structured lecture and reading written in the English language. This learning takes place mainly in a classroom setting.
• Travel over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Move objects weighing as much as 50 lbs. for short and long distances.
• Remain in a standing or sitting position for extended periods of time.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment.
• Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements.
• Work cooperatively with the officers, public and other City employees.
• Work safely without presenting a threat to self or others.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity standards to support trustworthiness.
• Be flexible in their personal schedule to accommodate on-call rotations, call-outs and to be assigned to a set or rotating schedule, including night-time or early morning hours and weekends.

 

Additional Requirements:

Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.  Appointments to positions in the Police Department are subject to meeting appropriate polygraph and background standards.

Some positions will require the performance of other essential functions depending upon assignment or shift.

Acceptable Experience and Training:

Ideal candidate will have two years of experience in crime scene processing or fingerprint classification, or an associate's degree in criminal justice, chemistry, or a related field. Other combinations of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work may be substituted.