Crime Scene Investigator - Police

JOB SUMMARY

The Crime Scene Investigator is responsible for the professional collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence, including the documentation of crime scenes through photography and sketching, the identification of latent prints, the collection of evidentiary materials, and the management of the chain of custody for all seized property.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Timely respond to the scenes of crime, collisions and fires and determine the best methods to employ for the preservation and recovery of evidence for criminal investigation. A vehicle is provided for official use and commuting between the residence and duty stations. On-call pay, call-out pay, and comp time may be available for work performed outside normal business hours, depending on the specific circumstances.
• Perform all techniques to document a crime scene including digital photography, videography, forensic mapping, sketching and note taking.
• Perform all techniques required to search for and recover evidence at a crime scene, including search by alternate and ultraviolet light sources, collection of biological fluids, trace evidence and gunshot residues, tool mark, tire and footwear impressions, metal detection and laser trajectory determinations.
• Respond to autopsies to perform postmortem fingerprinting and collection of evidence.
• Perform latent recovery work in the field.
• Perform recovery and documentation of latent fingerprints in a laboratory setting using powders, chemicals and dyes, fuming chamber and photography.
• Operate crime scene equipment including the drying cabinets, forensic light sources, MVac, scene lights, and trajectory tools.
• Prepare timely, accurate and comprehensive reports of crime scene investigations.
• Operate computers and relevant software applications.
• Serve as evidence custodian for the department in the approval of all submissions of property into the evidence rooms, storage, transfer of property to courts, labs, etc., and disposal.
• Follow appropriate procedures to ensure the security and integrity of evidence.
• Testify in court concerning crime scene investigations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age.
• Associate's degree in forensic science, Chemistry, Biology or related field.
• 4 years of experience and/or training in crime scene investigation.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid South Carolina driver's license.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive and well-written reports.
• Must have or obtain certification as a Property and Evidence Specialist with the International Association of Property and Evidence within one (1) year of date of hire.
• Must have or obtain certification as a Crime Scene Investigator with the International Association for Identification within eighteen (18) months of date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

International Association for Identification (IAI) certification in:

• Forensic Photography
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Crime Scene Analyst
• Senior Crime Scene Analyst and/or
• Latent Fingerprint Examiner.

This position is classified as safety-sensitive which requires candidates to successfully complete a thorough background investigation to include polygraph, drug testing, credit history, and psychological evaluation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND APTITUDES:

• Knowledge of Federal and South Carolina law relating to search and seizure, evidence control and forensic testing.
• Knowledge of crime scene investigations, principles, practices, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of film and digital photography, latent recovery techniques, and crime scene processing technologies.
• Knowledge of fingerprint identification and preservation principles, practices, methods, and procedures.
• Knowledge of court proceedings and testimony.
• Skill in collecting and preserving physical evidence for laboratory analysis.
• Skill in operating photographic and fingerprint development and collection equipment.
• Ability and willingness to conduct crime scene processing and investigations, including performing tasks involving cadavers in various states of decomposition.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to collect, organize, and evaluate data and develop logical conclusions.
• Ability and willingness to work with minute details over extended time periods.
• Ability to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to prepare records and maintain reports.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to be available on call rotational 24/7 schedule.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must possess the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work requires a combination of sedentary, light, and moderate physical exertion, including prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, climbing, and repetitive hand movements while processing crime scenes.

The employee is regularly required to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods while processing crime scenes.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, crawl, and reach in all directions to locate, photograph, collect, and preserve evidence.
• Climb stairs, ladders, embankments, and uneven terrain when accessing crime scenes.
• Maintain balance while working on uneven, slippery, or unstable surfaces.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and evidence weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier items with assistance.
• Use hands and fingers for fine motor tasks requiring precision, including collecting trace evidence, dusting for fingerprints, packaging evidence, and operating forensic instruments.
• Operate cameras, forensic lighting systems, measuring devices, computers, and other investigative equipment.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, respirators, protective suits, eye protection, and footwear.
• Drive a Town vehicle to crime scenes, court appearances, training, and other work locations.
• Enter and work within confined spaces when necessary.
• Work at varying heights and in awkward body positions for extended periods.
• Tolerate prolonged sitting while preparing reports, reviewing evidence, completing documentation, and testifying in court.

The employee must possess sufficient vision to:

• Distinguish colors and fine detail.
• Detect and identify small or trace evidence.
• Read handwritten and printed materials.
• Operate cameras, microscopes, alternate light sources, and computer equipment.
• Judge distances and spatial relationships.
• Work in both bright sunlight and low-light conditions.

Corrective lenses may be used if they enable the employee to perform these essential functions.

The employee must be able to:

• Hear and understand conversations in person, over the telephone, and by radio.
• Detect alarms, warning signals, and other environmental sounds necessary for safety.

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must be able to:

• Analyze complex crime scenes and identify, evaluate, and prioritize relevant evidence.
• Apply logical reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Observe and recognize subtle details, patterns, inconsistencies, and changes in physical evidence and environments.
• Maintain sustained concentration and attention to detail while processing crime scenes and documenting findings.
• Interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, scientific principles, and forensic protocols.
• Accurately collect, preserve, document, and maintain chain of custody for physical evidence.
• Read, comprehend, and interpret technical manuals, investigative reports, laboratory findings, legal documents, and departmental policies.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and detailed written reports and documentation.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with law enforcement personnel, attorneys, forensic laboratories, victims, witnesses, and the public.
• Recall and accurately communicate facts, observations, measurements, and investigative details.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and objectivity while handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Manage multiple investigations and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Adapt quickly to changing situations, evolving crime scenes, and unexpected circumstances.
• Perform mathematical calculations, measurements, and spatial reasoning necessary for scene mapping, photography, and evidence documentation.
• Maintain emotional stability and professional composure when exposed to traumatic incidents, deceased individuals, serious injuries, hazardous environments, and emotionally charged situations.
• Testify in court by accurately recalling investigative findings and explaining forensic processes in a clear, professional, and objective manner.

Mental Demands:

• Requires advanced analytical thinking, sustained concentration, problem solving, sound judgment, and decision-making.
• Requires the ability to process and retain large amounts of information while maintaining accuracy under stressful and time-sensitive conditions.
• Requires the ability to shift attention among multiple tasks without loss of accuracy.
• Requires the ability to remain objective and exercise discretion when handling confidential, graphic, or emotionally difficult information.
• Requires the ability to learn and apply evolving forensic techniques, technologies, legal standards, and departmental procedures.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND SCHEDULE:

The employee regularly works:

• Indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• During daytime, nighttime, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments.
• in a 24/7 rotational on-call schedule to ensure availability of personnel for crime scene processing, including responding to service calls outside of standard business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, on a one week per month rotation.
• At crime scenes involving fatalities, serious injuries, decomposition, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, bodily fluids, offensive odors, insects, and other potentially hazardous conditions.
• In environments exposed to extreme temperatures, rain, humidity, noise, dust, smoke, chemicals, and uneven terrain.
• Near moving traffic, construction areas, bodies of water, wooded areas, and other potentially dangerous locations.
• Ability to respond to crime scenes at any hour as part of an on-call rotation.
• Ability to wear ballistic vest and other required protective equipment.
• Ability to work extended hours during major incidents, disasters, or criminal investigations.
• Ability to work safely around biohazards and comply with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standards.
• Because the role requires rapid response to crime scenes during on-call rotations, the department typically provides a take-home forensic vehicle.

To deliver superior performance in a manner that is distinctive and impactful to each person served and that establishes a standard for quality that endures for generations.