Job Details

Forensic Technician I/II

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Forensic Technician I/II vacancy in Thermal. Under general supervision, to perform technical forensic work identifying, collecting, preserving, photographing, interpreting, and comparing fingerprints and other physical evidence at crime scenes, autopsy examinations, and during criminal trials; to perform other duties as required. Incumbents in this class serve as journey-level Forensic Technicians within the Forensic Services and Coroner's Bureau Divisions of the Sheriff's Department, and within the Bureau of Investigation of the District Attorney's Office. This class differs from Supervising Forensic Technician in that incumbents in the latter class function as working supervisors. The incumbent will learn photographing (both traditional and digital) of items of evidentiary value as well as deceased persons; stand for prolonged periods of time, stoop, bend, stretch, reach, and extend arms above the shoulder; lift and carry a camera and evidence collection equipment up to 25 lbs. Candidates with previous community service officer or forensic work experience and a Bachelor's/Master's degree are encouraged to apply. The duties of this position require the incumbent to be available to work a rotating shift, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and be available for stand-by and call-outs after regular working hours.

The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover the expanse of over 7,300 square miles in southern California. The Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership, and loyalty and believes in service above self.

Examples Of Essential Duties

Forensic Technician I:

• In a training capacity, assist in searching for, collecting, and categorizing evidence at crime scenes for laboratory analysis.
• Assist in collecting, identifying, developing, and preserving latent fingerprints.
• Preserve, compare, and attempt to identify evidence such as blood, hair, fibers, cloth, wood, paint, and glass fragments.
• Take and compare physical impressions to attempt to connect evidence with suspects.
• Interview witnesses as to location of evidence and for details in order to create composite drawings of suspects.
• Collect and process evidence during search warrants; create diagrams and poster boards of search warrant location; videotape search, photograph and document all evidence collected.
• Tag, mark, and store evidence collected; may assist with managing an evidence room to include checking items in and out, maintaining chain of custody and inventory control, and destroying items no longer needed for criminal prosecution.
• Photograph crime scenes, suspects, and evidence with digital and traditional photograph equipment; process and organize digital images using computer software programs.
• Use computer software and equipment to prepare and draw sketches of crime scenes and suspects.
• Prepare photographs and crime scene sketches for courtroom exhibits; store and inventory exhibits.
• Videotape testimony; edit and redact audio files of suspect and witness interviews; prepare, organize, and document evidence for discovery.
• Prepare detailed written field and laboratory reports and other correspondence.
• Testify in court.
• Assist with post mortem examinations; fingerprint the deceased, collect trace evidence, pathological samples, and other physical evidence for further examination; photograph autopsies of criminal investigations; prepare photos for courtroom presentation.
• Learn to use various kinds of scientific instrumentation to analyze, compare, identify, and quantify materials of evidence.
• Learn the function and use of the computerized bar code inventory control system used for evidence movement, storage, and accountability.

Forensic Technician II:

• Search for, collect, and preserve evidence at crime scenes for laboratory analysis; photograph crime scenes, collisions, suspects, and evidence collected.
• Develop and preserve latent fingerprints using various techniques; identify and compare fingerprints.
• Collect, preserve, and attempt to evaluate or identify evidence such as blood, hair, fibers, cloth, wood, paint, and glass fragments.
• Take and compare physical impressions to attempt to connect evidence with suspect.
• In a laboratory setting, develop and enhance fingerprint evidence using various techniques; lift trace evidence such as blood, hair, fiber, and DNA samples and refer evidence to criminal laboratory (e.g., the DOJ) for further analysis.
• Interview witnesses as to location of evidence and for details in order to create composite drawings of suspects.
• Collect and process evidence during search warrants; create diagrams and poster boards of search warrant location; videotape search, photograph and document all evidence collected.
• Construct, store, and inventory courtroom exhibits; videotape testimony, edit and redact audio files of suspect and witness interviews; prepare, organize, and document evidence for discovery.
• Consult with attorneys regarding effective preparation and presentation of evidence during trial.
• Use computer software and equipment to prepare and draw sketches of crime scenes and suspects.
• Prepare detailed records; tag, mark, preserve, and store evidence collected; may manage an evidence room to include checking items in and out, maintaining chain of custody and inventory control, and destroying items no longer needed for criminal prosecution.
• Review the work of lower Forensic Technicians and provide training and lead direction to lesser-experienced technicians.
• Study new techniques in forensics; conduct research into the development of new techniques, methods, and equipment.
• Prepare detailed written field and laboratory reports and other correspondence.
• Testify in court as an expert witness in the presentation and verification of collected evidence such as bloodstain interpretation, projectile trajectory, fingerprints, photography, and diagramming.
• Attend post mortem examinations; fingerprint the deceased, collect trace evidence, pathological samples, and other physical evidence for further examination; photograph autopsies of criminal investigations; prepare photos for courtroom presentation.

Minimum Qualifications

Forensic Technician I:

Education: Completion of 20 semester units or 30 quarter units from an accredited college or university in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Business Administration. (One year of receiving, cataloging, and maintaining custody of evidence in a law enforcement agency, or a closely related law enforcement assignment, may be substituted for the required education.)

Knowledge of: Crime scene investigation techniques and procedures; fingerprint processing methods; traditional photography and digital imaging techniques and equipment; the relationship of law enforcement to the community at large.

Ability to: Learn collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence at crime scenes; coordinate information obtained from a variety of sources; interpret such information; draw logical conclusions; apply fingerprinting methods to the tasks of identification; take, develop, and print clear photographs; follow oral and written instructions; maintain effective working relationships; write clear, concise reports; stand, stoop, bend, stretch, reach and extend arms above shoulder; stand for prolonged periods of time and lift and carry camera and evidence collection equipment (approximately 25 lbs.). This position also requires the incumbent to work around offensive sights and smells.

Forensic Technician II:

Education: 32 hours of P.O.S.T. approved training in fingerprint science and/or 40 hours of Basic Fingerprint Techniques or the equivalent.

Experience: One year of experience collecting, preserving, and photographing physical evidence at crime scenes, and comparison of fingerprint evidence.

Knowledge of: The techniques of collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence; modern principles, practices, and techniques of traditional photography and digital imaging; current methods of fingerprint collection, identification and analysis and comparison; technological developments relative to the forensic function.

Ability to: Coordinate information obtained from a variety of sources; interpret such information; find relationships, and draw logical conclusions; apply modern fingerprinting methods to the task of identification; take, develop, and print clear photographs; follow oral and written instructions; maintain effective working relationships; write clear, concise reports; stand, stoop, bend, stretch, reach and extend arms above shoulder, stand for prolonged periods of time and lift and carry camera and evidence collection equipment (approximately 25 lbs.). This position also requires the incumbent to work around offensive sights and smells.

Other Requirements (Both Levels): License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

Supplemental Information

Contact Information: For more information regarding the position, please contact the recruiter, Mary Miller, at 951-###-#### or via email at ...@rivco.org.