Criminalist I & II & III

(Series Specification)

Class Code:  BM1, BM2, BM3 Analyst: CC, CB, JES

Date Originated: 7/14 Date Revised: 10/14, 9/18, 7/19, 12/23

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, performs duties involved in crime scene investigations and identification of evidence by performing chemical, physical, and microscopic analysis in the laboratory and in the field; interprets the results of findings; prepares materials for presentation in criminal court; appears in court as an expert witness. May specialize in at least one discipline based on agency needs: Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Forensic Anthropology, or Firearms & Toolmarks; and perform other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Positions in this series are non-sworn civilian positions within the Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Office. These classes are distinguished from the sworn officer classes in that persons in these classes do not carry firearms, do not hold peace officer status and responsibilities, and do not undergo peace officer training.

Criminalist I: is the entry level for the criminalist series. Incumbents initially work under supervision, and as experience is gained, they perform a broader range of duties. Incumbents perform routine forensic scientific casework, and receive a substantial amount of on-the-job training, working closely with senior staff member(s).

Criminalist II: is the journey level in the criminalist series. Incumbents independently perform professional forensic services with limited supervision, which includes a variety of skilled and semiskilled forensic work. This class differs from the Criminalist I in that it is responsible for performing technically complex and difficult forensic scientific casework in at least one forensic discipline; also included is providing training, case review, and technical advice to the Criminalist I.

Criminalist III: is the advanced journey level in the criminalist series. Incumbents work independently and are required to possess advanced competence in at least one forensic specialty. The Criminalist III is assigned to the more varied and complex forensic analyses, provides non-supervisory intermittent technical guidance to staff and outside agencies, and may be assigned as a technical lead, laboratory safety coordinator and/or a quality assurance criminalist. This level is specific to the forensic laboratory of the Sheriff’s Office.

TYPICAL TASKS: 

· Utilizes the instrumentation, equipment, and scientific techniques including, but not limited to, microscopy, photography, and crime scene diagramming;

· Performs laboratory analysis of physical evidence in one or more of the specialty areas of the Forensic Services Laboratory;

· Examines evidence and draws scientific conclusions in conformance with established protocols;

· Conducts crime scene investigations to recover, document, and collect all relevant physical and biological evidence, e.g., latent prints, DNA, toolmarks, footprints, firearms, impressions, trace evidence, forensic anthropology and digital evidence associated with criminal activity;

· Creates forensic images of original digital evidence;

· Examines evidence utilizing various analytical techniques;

· Searches automated databases to aid in the identification of forensic evidence;

· Maintains documentation verifying chain of custody, case files, and records to preserve the integrity of evidence and examinations performed;

· Prepares investigative reports on laboratory analysis and results;

· Prepares and presents fair and impartial court testimony concerning findings as established by laboratory analyses and interprets findings as a qualified expert witness;

· May prepare courtroom displays and exhibits;

· Operates, calibrates, troubleshoots, and performs minor repairs and preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment and analytical instruments;  

· Interacts with law enforcement personnel to obtain information about evidence and cases;

· Studies and researches new techniques in forensic science.

Criminalist III:

· All of the above;

• Determine the interrelationship and significance of various pieces of physical evidence.
• Leads routine work of the laboratory, including leading or participating in special projects.
• Train other criminalists and law enforcement specialized techniques, such as evidence collection or in new areas of forensic interest, may provide guidance and training to lower-level criminalists.
• Keep current with forensic specialty literature, new techniques and procedures including researching and developing new analytical procedures in the scientific examination of evidence in criminal casework independently, as the lead or as a part of a team and maintaining liaison with other professionals and professional organizations.
• Maintain proficiency in all specialty disciplines where casework is performed.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Criminalist I

Some knowledge of:

• Subject matter and practices within an area of specialization, such as Crime Scene Investigation and Photography, Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Firearms & Toolmarks or Forensic Anthropology.
• Principles of forensic science, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, photography, and natural sciences as related to criminalistics.
• Electronic search methods and examination techniques sufficient to access, preserve, and extract appropriate evidence from a variety of media.
• Basic laboratory safety procedures.

Criminalist II

Working knowledge of:

• All of the above.
• Laboratory techniques used for scientific examination of forensic evidence in a specialty area of criminalistics.
• Forensic analysis techniques, laboratory protocols, scientific methodologies, and forensic examination procedures sufficient to conduct detailed and complex analyses to interpret the significance of evidentiary items.
• Collecting and preserving physical evidence, scientific research methods, and procedures in the forensic science field.

Some knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information in the field of criminalistics.

Criminalist III

Thorough knowledge of: 

• All of the above.
• Principles, methods, materials, and techniques in a specialty area of Criminalistics such as computer forensics, forensic biology/DNA, latent print examination, crime scene analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis, and/or forensic anthropology.
• Recent developments, new techniques, and procedures in the scientific examination of evidence for at least one specialty area of forensics.

Working knowledge of:

• Policy and procedure development and implementation;
• Accreditation requirements, including internal audits;
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information in the field of general criminalistics.

Some knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, rules, regulations, and statutes.

Abilities:

Criminalist I

• Conduct chemical, biological, physical, microscopic, digital, and other comparative laboratory analysis as required.
• Conduct crime scene investigations and collect evidence in the field.
• Relate pieces of evidence to each other and draw logical conclusions.
• Prepare and maintain clear, accurate and concise reports, records, and case statistics/findings.
• Operate personal computers, Laboratory Information Management Systems and related software.
• Follow oral and written technical instructions.
• Perform assigned tasks according to prescribed procedures.
• Meet timelines and handle multiple and changing priorities, projects, and schedules.
• Comply with laws, regulations, and professional practices governing law enforcement services and operations.
• Research regulations, procedures, and/or technical reference materials.
• Work in a safe and prudent manner.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Read, understand, and follow departmental policies, rules, instructions, laws, and ordinances.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, demonstrating tact, diplomacy, patience, and compassion.
• Adhere to employing agency’s code of ethics.

Criminalist II

• Perform all the above.
• Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation associated with the assigned forensic discipline, such as various types of microscopes and cameras and laboratory information systems.
• Analyze, interpret, and present statistical data and outcomes to diverse audiences, including law enforcement agencies, the courts, and other agencies.
• Understand, interpret, and explain regulations and policies governing the collection and preservation of evidence.
• Present evidence clearly and accurately in court when called to testify as an expert witness.
• Work under physical and mental pressure and in potentially hazardous situations and environments
• Follow highly technical oral and written instructions.

Criminalist III

• Perform all the above.
• Determine the interrelationship and significance of various pieces of physical evidence.
• Leads routine work of the laboratory, including leading or participating in special projects.
• Train other criminalists and law enforcement specialized techniques, such as evidence collection or in new areas of forensic interest, may provide guidance and training to lower-level criminalists.
• Keep current with forensic specialty literature, new techniques and procedures including researching and developing new analytical procedures in the scientific examination of evidence in criminal casework independently, as the lead or as a part of a team and maintaining liaison with other professionals and professional organizations.
• Maintain proficiency in all specialty disciplines where casework is performed.

Education and Experience/Training:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be

Criminalist I:

• Education requirements vary depending on discipline assignment. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminalistics, natural sciences, biological anthropology, computer science, or a closely related field is required.
• For Forensic Anthropology specialization: a master’s or PhD degree in anthropology with graduate level coursework in human and non-human osteology, forensic anthropology, archaeology, human variation, statistics, and dental anthropology is required.

• For DNA assignment: a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) or an advanced degree related to biology, chemistry or forensic science is required and must have evidence of successful completion of coursework covering the following subject areas: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology; and coursework and/or training in statistics and/or population genetics as it applies to forensic DNA analysis.

Criminalist II:

• Meet the education requirements for Criminalist I and three years of experience performing forensic analysis in Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Firearms & Toolmarks or Forensic Anthropology and Crime Scene Investigation in a local, county, state, and/or federal forensic laboratory or similar setting; a master’s or PhD degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

OR

• Three years of experience as a Criminalist I at Santa Cruz County or equivalent.
• For Digital Evidence specialization: Active certification through the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists as a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner is required to be obtained within the first year of employment as a Criminalist II.
• For Latent Print specialization: Latent Print Examiner certification is required to be obtained within the first year of employment as a Criminalist II.
• For Biology/DNA specialization: Possession of a master’s degree is highly desirable.
• For Firearms & Toolmarks specialization: Association of Firearms and Toolmarks Examiners (AFTE) certification in at least one of the following: Firearm, Toolmark, or Gunshot, is required to be obtained within the first year of employment as a Criminalist II.

Criminalist III:

• Meet the education requirements for Criminalist I and six years of experience performing forensic analysis in Latent Prints, Digital Evidence, Biology/DNA, Firearms & Toolmarks or Forensic Anthropology and Crime Scene Investigation in a local, county, state, and/or federal forensic laboratory or similar setting; a master’s or PhD degree may be substituted for one year of experience AND must possess and maintain required certification for specialty area if applicable.

OR

· Meet the education requirements of a Criminalist I AND three years of experience as a Criminalist II at Santa Cruz County or equivalent AND must possess and maintain required certification for specialty area if applicable.

Some DNA positions require a master’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency or higher, to qualify as a Technical Leader under the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories. The master’s degree shall be in a biology, chemistry, or forensic science-related area and include 12 semester hours or equivalent credit hours from a combination of graduate and undergraduate course work in biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and statistics and /or population genetics. The 12 semester hours or equivalent credit hours shall include at least one graduate level course registering 3 or more semester hours or the equivalent credit hours.

All Criminalist I/II/III levels:

· Incumbent must possess the minimum qualifications for the discipline assigned as defined in the Laboratory’s current accrediting body as well as applicable requirements as set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Quality Assurance Standards and the California Code of Regulations.

Desired Qualification:

• Active certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI) as a crime scene investigator, crime scene analyst, crime scene reconstructionist or senior crime scene analyst is highly desirable.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

• Mentally and physically capable of performing the classification’s essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this job specification with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Physical Ability:  Tasks require the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials.
• Sensory Requirements:  Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures, or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks, or people.
• Environmental Factors:  Exposure to variable temperatures, confined workspaces, and heights; strong unpleasant odors; infectious bio-hazardous materials, such as blood, urine, and semen, which might cause chronic disease or death; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; toxic substances; individuals who may be hostile and abusive; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence.
• Hours:  May be required to work flexible hours, shifts, weekends, and holidays and be subject to holdover and callback duty; and to provide a telephone number or means by which employee can be reached.
• License Requirement:  Possession and maintenance of valid Class C California Driver License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles by the time of appointment.

• Background Investigation:  Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Bargaining Unit:  41

EEOC Job Category:  02

Occupational Group:  62

Workers Comp Code:  0285