Crime Scene Investigator

Under limited direction, the Crime Scene Investigator performs a variety of highly skilled technical criminal identification tasks both in the field and in the laboratory. Develops, compares, and identifies latent fingerprints; collects, preserves, and identifies trace or other physical evidence found at crime scenes; photographs and measures crime scenes; prepares comprehensive and technically correct reports and testifies as an expert witness in court proceedings.

Environmental Factors

Work is performed in the field, laboratory, and office. When processing crime scenes may be exposed to all weather conditions, unstable surfaces, chemicals and fumes, bodily fluids, and other potential hazards.

Physical Factors

Heavy physical demands.  Physical demands are substantial and involve balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, squatting and push/pull up to 33% of each shift. Ability to climb ladders, fences, walls and walk on elevated and uneven surfaces. Reaching above shoulder height up to 66% of each shift. Writing, keyboarding, using a mouse and filing 1-2 hours each day.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues.
Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.  Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-Time;
Regular;
Non Exempt

This position is graded at RN14.

* Preserves and maintains all evidence in the chain of custody for court purposes in accordance with all department operating procedures without loss or damage to evidence.

* Receives, tags, records and securely stores all evidence received according to department procedures and releases evidence upon appropriate release from police officers/detectives or public owner when the case has been adjudicated; inventories receipts, and ensures all evidence received correlates with the incoming paperwork.  

* Transports to a storage area and records the storage location on evidence records to ensure security and ease of retrieval.

* Responds to crime scenes and completes field crime scene processing; uses digital cameras, video equipment, and measuring and diagramming techniques following established methods and procedures; searches for and recovers latent fingerprint evidence.  

* Collects, preserves and packages different types of evidence in accordance with established procedures; produces print/impression evidence by casting and/or photographing to scale impressions to use as investigative aids.

* Acts as a key operator for the IR-8000 Breathalyzer in support of law enforcement efforts; checks calibration of the IR-8000 weekly and performs routine maintenance; runs proficiencies received from the Scientific Laboratory; testifies in court in reference to the accuracy and calibration of the instrument, evidence collection practice and techniques used to collect evidence.

* Prepares and presents various special and recurring reports; appears in court related to evidence collection techniques, preservation techniques, storage techniques, photographs, and latent prints.

* Orders, receives, inventories, stores, issues, and ships materials, supplies, and equipment used by the Police Department to maintain necessary supplies for daily operations; maintains liaison with the City Purchasing Agency to order and receive necessary materials for police operations.  

* Compiles stock control records, consumption data, and related factors to establish appropriate stock levels or replenishment needs; completes ordering.

* Maintains records of stolen property or contraband including the description, identification, value or cost, data acquired, location acquired, name of custodian, date of inventory, condition, and disposition.

* Trains staff in the methods of police photography and gathering latent fingerprints at crime and accident scenes.

* Researches forensic science field for current materials regarding new techniques in locating, collecting and preserving all types of physical evidence.

* Performs manual verification of 10-print cards for identification and latent reverse searches.

Bachelor's degree in a Science related field or Criminology or Criminal Justice AND six (6) months experience in Crime Scene investigation preferred. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver's license required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies. Advanced Forensics Techniques Certification I and II required within one (1) year of…