Major Investigations - Forensic Specialist Trainee

Major Investigations - Forensic Specialist Trainee

Police, 4565 S. 1st, Abilene, Texas, United States of America

Posted Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, makes fingerprint evaluations and comparisons, processes evidence, processes crime scenes, prepares reports, assists in training police personnel, testifies as an expert witness, and performs other activities in support of the Police Department.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Forensic Specialist Trainee and Forensic Specialist I exercise no supervision.

Forensic Specialist II and III may exercise limited technical and functional supervision over sworn and non-sworn personnel.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Processes crime scenes by taking photographs, scanning/video recording scenes, prepare scene sketches, collecting, preserving, logging, packaging and inventorying evidence, and preparing detailed reports.

Analyzes and evaluates latent fingerprints; conducts fingerprint comparisons.

Utilizes the Leica RTC
360 scanner to map crime scenes and produce a deliverable file of the mapped crime scene.

Handle and operate firearms in a safe manner.

Mixes and uses chemicals to process evidence; use alternate light sources to locate latent prints, serological, biological fluids and trace evidence.

Operates the AFIX Tracker database and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to develop candidate lists for comparisons to latent prints.

Reconstructs major crime scenes using advanced forensic techniques such as blood spatter interpretation, shooting trajectory, etc.

Testifies in court as an expert witness regarding crime scene processing and fingerprint comparisons.

Responds to crime scenes and emergency situations during regular work hours, evenings and weekends.

Maintains laboratory supplies for the Forensic Unit and ensures the lab and equipment are clean and functional.

Ensures all divisions in the police department have an adequate supply of crime scene processing materials to ensure evidence is processed and lab requests are completed in a timely manner.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to attend trainings, meetings, conferences, and court cases.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

Provides training classes for police personnel, police academies, and public safety demonstrations.

Research scientific articles regarding Forensic Discipline.

Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency.

General law enforcement codes, practices and methods.

Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Basic principles of chemistry, physics, and biology.

Principles of report preparation.

Basic principles of budget preparation.

Skill to:

Operate office equipment including computer equipment.

Operate a variety of tools and equipment including alternate light source, digital camera, super glue chamber, fingerprint magnifier, fingerprint processing equipment, fume hood, laser scanner, and fingerprint identification systems.

Operate hand tools or power tools to perform job functions.

Ability to:

Work independently or with a team.

Work courteously with the general public.

Prepare accurate and grammatically correct reports.

Work in unpleasant crime and accident scenes and under pressure.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Organize and manage time efficiently.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Forensic Specialist II and III

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:

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