Forensic Technician

HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF

JOB TITLE: FORENSIC TECHNICIAN

BUREAU: LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

SUPERVISED BY: DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

PAY GRADE: 16N CREATED:

FLSA STATUS: NON - EXEMPT REVISED: 8/23/2023

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS

Under the general direction of the Director of Forensic Science, performs technical work in the development, preservation and presentation of evidence relating to criminal activities. Work is performed with limited supervision and requires that the duties be accomplished with a degree of independence and at level of responsibility where the employee must exercise considerable good judgment and individual initiative in the performance of assigned duties. Work is reviewed through observation of quality and quantity of results obtained, oral and written reports, discussions and inspections. An employee in this classification is required to work in shifts. Performs other work as requested.

[NOTE]: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performance. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Essential Job Functions

• Takes photographs of suspects and of crime scenes; photographs scenes of industrial accidents; takes plaster casts of footprints, tire marks and other impressions as directed.
• Examine bodies of deceased persons for purpose of identifying and preserving all evidence found on or near the body, involving exposure to biological dangers
• Photographs all crime scene evidence involving the death, injury, commercial or residential fires, drug houses, all of which contain biological and chemical hazards
• Collect latent fingerprint evidence of sufficient quality and clarity to enable an examination to be completed by qualified personnel and withstand court challenges in criminal proceedings. All chemicals used to develop these prints involve the exposure to biological dangers or the use of hazardous chemicals that are listed by material safety data sheets as posing health risks to include being carcinogenic, toxic or are a known mutagen.
• Collects, identifies and preserves all matters of evidence as directed or released to his/her custody by marking, packaging and sealing all evidence consistent with lab conducting analyses, involving exposure to evidence that has been chemically treated with hazardous chemicals to develop prints, etc.; or evidence of a biological nature that involves risk of disease.
• Fingerprints and photographs individuals as directed
• Use and knowledge of the FARO 3D Laser Mapping System.
• Construct photo packs at the request of Deputies/Detectives.
• Prepares file copies for the FBI and other law enforcement agencies as requested.
• Makes photo copies of records on file for distribution to other law enforcement agencies on request or as directed.
  
  

Qualifications

Training and Experience

• Associate’s degree in a field related to forensic sciences required; or a combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Valid State of Florida driver license.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of modern criminal investigation methods and criminal identification techniques
• Knowledge of methods used in preserving and collecting physical evidence and the use of such evidence in establishing guilt.
• Knowledge of police photograph (black/white and color), and the processing thereof.
• Knowledge of modern fingerprinting and fingerprint classification techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of law enforcement regulations and procedures and of controlling laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of simple clerical procedures and practices.
• The ability to give qualifying testimony in the field of fingerprint taking, collection and preservation.
• The ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to relay instructions to technicians on the shift.
• The ability to maintain a professional bearing and attitude at all times while on duty with supervisors, subordinates, peers and the public.
• The ability to utilize computer equipment for data storage and retrieval.
  
  

Essential Physical Skills

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid).
• Safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Carry equipment.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Perform strenuous manual tasks in the crime scene searches and evidence collection (i.e., digging, sifting, along with carrying of large items).
• Withstand exposure to dangerous substances.
  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer