Latent Print and Evidence Specialist

Overview

If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Latent Print & Evidence Technician in our Police Department. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City s website.

• Under general direction, identifies, diagrams, photographs, collects, transports and preserves evidence from crime scenes; provides technical guidance and leadership in latent print analysis and performs difficult and complex examination of latent prints in connection with the investigation of crimes; gives expert testimony in the courts in all phases of latent print examination; performs related work as required.
• Distinguishing Characteristics:
  Incumbents in the Latent Print & Evidence Specialist class perform a variety of non-sworn, advanced and highly specialized tasks related to print collection and examination and crime scene evidence collection. The position is characterized by an exceptionally high degree of responsibility for accuracy and quality of work and for great attention to detail requiring in-depth knowledge and accountability in processing information.
• The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
• Identifies, examines, photographs, collects, preserves and transports evidence from crime scenes; search for latent impressions and other physical evidence; prepare evidence lists for collected property and evidence.
• Records and documents crime scenes which include diagrams, sketches, photographs, and video.
• Instructs law enforcement officers regarding the significance of various types of physical evidence and proper evidence collection procedures.
• Documents crime scenes using various photographic media and techniques; takes photographs of crime scenes from helicopter/aircraft; photographs and processes subjects for evidence in the field or in a facility such as a police department, hospital or holding/jail/prison facility.
• Obtains major case prints from subjects, victims and witnesses.
• Attends medical legal autopsies at the Medical Examiner’s Office to collect photographic and physical evidence; collects evidence from dead bodies and photographs all aspects of the body necessary for investigation at the crime scene.
• Processes items of evidence for latent prints; develops prints using photography, powder, laser and chemical enhancements; classifies, identifies and examines prints; compares latent prints to known prints; evaluates latent finger, palm, and footprints to determine quality, integrity and identity; maintains records of examinations.
• Processes evidence items for blood, latent prints and other impression evidence.
• Determines if latent prints recovered from crime scenes are usable for comparison of known prints of individuals and/or for entry into AFIS and/or NGI/ULW; requests known prints of possible suspects for comparison from local, state, and federal departments via associated databases, email and telephone; searches identifiable prints using Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) and related systems.
• Researches and evaluates new technical developments in latent print development and analysis of evidence.
• Prepares photographs, charts, and other materials for demonstration of evidence in court; offers testimony in court as an expert witness in all phases of latent print examination; consults with attorneys on various methods of presenting evidence; provides expert testimony in court.
• Properly label and package evidence.
• Serves as resource person and technical expert for Forensic Services Unit.
• Assists with maintaining a quality assurance program for the Forensic Services Unit.
• Assists in developing and creating forensic procedures and techniques.
• Prepares,…