Crime Scene Investigator

Duties and Requirements Click to read more

Duties

Crime Scene Response & Documentation

• Assist the Patrol Division in processing and photographing crime scenes and traffic accidents, including major incidents.
• Prepare detailed preliminary and supplemental reports documenting scene processing, investigative actions taken, and evidence handling.
• Create casts and collect physical materials at scenes, ensuring accurate and thorough documentation for investigative use.

Evidence Identification & Recovery

• Conduct search and recovery of latent fingerprints, palm prints, trace evidence, DNA, and other physical evidence.
• With appropriate training, analyze and compare latent prints recovered from scenes and submit them to the SPEX/local AFIS database system.

Evidence Handling & Preservation

• Package, preserve, and store evidence in compliance with chain-of-custody standards.
• Enter property and evidence into the RMS evidence voucher database with accuracy and consistency.
• Prepare evidence for lab submission, ensuring it is properly labeled, preserved, and documented.

On-Call Response & Collaboration

• Participate in an on-call schedule or rotation to respond to scenes during nights, weekends, or holidays as needed.
• Work closely with officers, investigators, and lab personnel to support the successful processing and analysis of evidence.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform related duties as assigned in support of investigative and departmental needs.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of Law Enforcement Standards: Understanding of police department policies, procedures, rules, regulations, City Code, and North Carolina General Statutes.
• Knowledge of Evidence Operations: Familiarity with property and evidence program practices, including handling, recording, preservation, storage, and release.
• Knowledge of Office & Technology Tools: Ability to use standard office procedures, computers, and relevant software applications.
• Ability to Maintain Chain of Custody: Learn, apply, and uphold all protocols required to protect evidence integrity.
• Skill in Evidence Processing: Receive, process, classify, and document property and evidence accurately and thoroughly.
• Skill in Crime Scene Equipment Use: Operate digital cameras and related crime-scene equipment effectively and safely.
• Skill in Evidence Identification: Recognize and document fingerprints, trace materials, and other scene-specific evidence.
• Ability to Communicate Professionally: Interact with citizens and officers courteously and effectively; communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats.
• Ability to Listen and Document Carefully: Demonstrate strong attention to detail, active listening, and precise documentation skills.
• Ability to Learn Specialized Technology: Acquire proficiency in operating the FARO scanner and scene-diagramming software.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalency
• Minimum of one year of work experience in police work, laboratory work, or related field
• Minimum of one year of experience with Microsoft Windows Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position may also be considered.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field
• Two years or more of work experience as a Crime Scene Investigator

Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• The physical duties include but are not limited to; walking, standing, bending, stooping, operating a motor vehicle, carrying up to 40 pounds, reaching, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• The employee regularly operates a variety of machinery and equipment, including vehicles, telephones, computers, calculators, copiers, etc.
• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and completing reports, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
• The employee must be willing to work in all types of weather conditions, heights, different terrain and work with bloodborne pathogens as well as hazardous materials.
• Working conditions include inside and outside environmental conditions.
• This position will involve an on-call status.

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