Crime Scene Investigator

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

Crime Scene Investigator I works within the Forensic Science Bureau of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The purpose of this classification is to perform investigative activities at crime scenes. This position spends at least 65% of the time performing duties that involve the collection, examination, preservation, documentation, preparation, or analysis of human tissue or fluids or physical evidence having potential biological, chemical, or radiological hazard or contamination, or use of chemicals, processes, or materials that may have carcinogenic or health-damaging properties. Independent judgment is exercised within established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed for compliance with desired objectives through observation and written reports. The Crime Scene Investigator I works under the supervision of the Forensic Bureau Chain of Command and adheres to hierarchical order of communication upon availability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normally performed by this position. These are not to be

construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

The most important and essential job function is dependability and includes the following:

regular attendance, working as a team member, functioning under intense time pressure, and

the ability to work dayshift, afternoon, nightshift, and possibly rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, at any Lake County Sheriff’s Office location, according to agency needs.

Investigates crime scenes through adhering to general orders for taking photographs,

measurements, preparing sketches and diagrams, completing narratives, following collection techniques as trained during the field training phases and summarizing observations of evidence.

Identifies and determines evidence to be collected; preserves integrity of evidence; processes evidence for latent development through the use of various powder and / or chemical means; swabs evidence for the possible presence of DNA; documents and interprets evidence; ensures security of evidence and obtains evidence disposition.

Conducts chemical and alternate light source tests on evidentiary material such as potential latent fingerprints, trace evidence, and biological fluids. Performs follow-up duties, which may include attending autopsies, reviewing collected items for additional evidence, completing specific request (s) from law enforcement or attorneys.

Maintains files and record keeping on all evidence submitted by certified personnel as well as outside agencies; assists other agencies as requested.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections as appropriate; utilizes database, word processing, spreadsheet, criminal information database or other programs.Prepares, completes, and/or receives various forms, reports, diagrams, narratives, submissions, property, evidence, receipts, subpoenas, reference material or other documents, reviews,

processes, forwards, distributes, completes peer to peer reviews, evidence processing worksheets, or retains as appropriate.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, Medical Examiner’s Office, court officials, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, other attorneys, outside agencies, the public and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information or resolve problems.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws /

regulations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Testifies in Federal, State, and local courts present observations and technical testimony in laymen's terms, defends analytical methods and results, presents findings during the administration of a deposition to prosecutors and defense attorneys and provides discovery documents upon receipt of a formal legal request document.

Must successfully complete a court testimony course within the first year of employment. Adheres to all best laboratory practices. This includes the use of Personal Protective Equipment and safety procedures when working with evidence and equipment.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Provides assistance or coverage to other employees as needed. Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must have a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university. In lieu of a degree, applicant may have 3 years’ experience working as a CSI within a law enforcement agency. Board certification through a recognized certification body in the discipline is recommended.

Professional knowledge of theories and practices would typically be acquired through a bachelor's degree program in the sciences.

Knowledge of common methods and procedures and skill in crime scene processing and photography.

Practical knowledge of best practices and general safety.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. Must successfully complete a

background investigation including a polygraph test. Mandatory pre-employment

physical, psychological and drug screening tests required. Upon being hired, shall successfully complete the Field Training Program and a basic crime scene processing class. An entry level CSI will be hired on the current salary.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. This

includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations,

referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components,

and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a supervisory capacity. Includes the ability to make procedural and technical decisions in both an internal and external setting.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate

and control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and

rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize conceptual data and information, as well as

reference, descriptive, design, advisory, consulting and synthesis data and information as

applicable.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication

and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may need to utilize principles of

and interpret statistics; ability to perform mathematical operations involving algebraic principles

and formulas and geometric principles and calculations; and the ability to calculate volumes,

weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or conceptual

thinking to determine a wide range of both intellectual and practical relationships, and to

exercise judgment and make decisions to serve as guides and general directives for an entire

organization.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light

work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight 75 pounds plus or minus and occasionally may involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling and lifting heavier items. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and differentiate colors or

shades of colors, sound, odor, and visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to

communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to

adverse environmental conditions, such as odors, fumes, temperature extremes, machinery,

electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, repetitive wrist

motion, or bright/dim lights.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Sheriff’s Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Work Shift:

Full-Time Benefits Include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Retirement
• Deferred Comp 457 Plan
• Supplemental insurance
• Work Comp
• Paid Sick and Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Health Clinic
• Tuition Assistance