Crime Scene Investigator (A9)

The Annapolis Police Department (APD) is dedicated to preventing crime and preserving the quality of life for all residents through fair and impartial service. The crime scene investigator plays a critical role in criminal investigations. Where appropriate, this role requires examination of evidence for latent fingerprints, takes photographs, makes diagrams, collects, and preserves physical evidence; attends autopsies, collects additional evidence, and takes inked prints from deceased persons. Prepares reports for all assignments and examinations performed. Prepares letters of transmittal to various labs and preserves all evidence in its original condition for presentation in court. Responds to all crime scenes promptly when notified. Work requires a good knowledge of departmental programs; a good knowledge of the different latent fingerprint techniques; the ability to collect and preserve crime scene evidence; the ability to prepare letters and reports, including proper formatting; and the ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions. Work requires the wearing of the proper uniform for the Unit and requires a courteous business-like demeanor when dealing with supervisors, coworkers, and the public. When appropriate apprises ranking members of the Department and supervisors of the facts of cases as they develop. Investigates homicide, rapes, armed robberies, departmental shootings, physical and sexual abuse, suicides, residential and commercial burglaries, home invasions, recovered stolen automobiles, and all other crime scenes. This is a quasi essential position. A1. Responds to crime scenes or assignments promptly. A2. Examines evidence for latent fingerprints, takes photographs, makes diagrams, collects, and preserves physical evidence. A3. Gather facts regarding investigations from uniformed officers. A4. Attends autopsies as needed to recover physical evidence and document injuries, defects, scars, marks, and tattoos from the decedent. Recovers fingerprints from the decedent for identification and elimination purposes. A5. Uses proper techniques to collect, maintain, and package items of physical evidence for submission to laboratories and court. A6. Apprises ranking members on the scene and section supervisor of the facts of the case as developed. A7. Exhibits a courteous, businesslike demeanor when dealing with supervisors, coworkers, and the public. A8. Exhibits sound judgment in all situations. A9. Maintains reports which are complete, clear, and concise with an accurate description of the action taken. A10. Coordinates the securing of the victim’s residence or crime scene to ensure that further investigation is not compromised. A11. Determines the necessity of access of personnel into crime scenes to ensure that the integrity of the scene is not compromised. A12. Attends court, both Circuit and District, on and off duty, and testifies in criminal cases which he/she has investigated or assisted in the investigation; attends Civil Court as a result of an investigative effort. A13. If necessary, meet with State’s Attorneys for pretrial conferences. Responds to Court in proper attire and with necessary reports and evidence. B1. If necessary or requested by State’s Attorney's Office, meet with State's Attorney assigned to case for pretrial conference. B2. Responds to court promptly and presents oral testimony clearly, truthfully, and accurately as to the facts of the case being prosecuted. B3. Responds to court in proper attire. B4. Responds to the court prepared for trial. B5. Trains new crime scene personnel, both sworn and civilian in the best practice of crime scene investigation. C1. Keeps up to date of new techniques as they pertain to crime scene processing and investigation. C2. Implements new policy and training as it becomes available to the department. C3. Instructs department in-service training on policy and procedure related to crime scene processing and investigation. C4. Maintains membership in good standing with professional originations such as the IAI, International Association of Identification/the American Academy of Forensic Science. C5. Attends training as directed by the department to include in-service and professional development. Education and Experience Minimum of bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminal justice, a related science, or similar is required. Special Qualifications Possession of a valid driver’s license is required. Ten print examination accepted training is preferred. Certified Crime Scene Analyst through the International Association of Identification is preferred. Bi-lingual in English/Spanish is desired. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of modern identification techniques, including fingerprint classification and photography; Knowledge of approved principles and practices of police work; Knowledge of laws and ordinances governing local police work; Skill using sound judgment, tact and courtesy; Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; Ability to be courteous and firm with the public; Ability to operate small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems; Ability to operate computers for data entry, word processing and/or recordkeeping purposes; Ability to operate highly technical computer applications, such as GIS or CAD; Ability to operate small/light equipment, such as power tools; and Ability to operate medium equipment and machinery, such as vehicles.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

Balancing ability: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium. Climbing ability: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. Crawling ability: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet. Crouching ability: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Feeling ability: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Dexterity ability: sufficient to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling. Grasping ability: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Handling ability: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand. Hearing ability: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound. Kneeling ability: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees. Lifting ability: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles. Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. Pulling ability: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. Pushing ability: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. Reaching ability: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Speaking ability: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely. Standing ability: Particularly for sustained periods of time. Stooping ability: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles. Visual ability: sufficient to operate a police vehicle both day and night, to observe criminal actions taking place, to observe traffic violations taking place, to read and write reports, correspondence, etc. Walking ability: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the need to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Annapolis Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment against any person seeking employment or employed in the civil service because of any consideration of political or religious affiliation or belief, race, color, sex, age, family status, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Annapolis