Digital Forensic Technician; Audio

Job Title

Digital Forensic Technician (Audio)

Starting salary: £46,985, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.

The salary is broken down as £43,976 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £49,670. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non‑pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Lambeth

In today’s world, audio is more prevalent than ever. From mobile phones and CCTV to body worn video and emergency calls, thousands of audio recordings are made each day, providing valuable opportunities to support investigations and the Criminal Justice System. At the same time, rapidly evolving technologies including AI‑generated audio present new challenges, requiring on‑going research and development of new forensic analysis methods.

The Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Audio Laboratory is a team of highly motivated practitioners who acquire, convert, enhance, edit, process and analyse audio from a wide range of digital and analogue sources to maximise its evidential value. Alongside casework, the laboratory is actively involved in exploring emerging technologies, undertaking research, contributing to specialist working groups and participating in collaborative exercises to develop a deeper understanding of the implications and opportunities for forensic audio.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Audio Laboratory as a Digital Forensic Technician. The primary focus of the role is the delivery of high‑quality forensic casework, supporting investigations through the examination and enhancement of audio evidence. You will combine your strong theoretical and practical audio knowledge with excellent attention to detail and effective problem‑solving skills, working to tight deadlines and managing competing operational demands.

You will communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences, ensuring forensic opportunities are maximised and audio evidence is accessible to those who rely on it. You will also demonstrate a keen interest in emerging technologies, with opportunities over time to contribute to the laboratory’s ongoing development and innovation, whilst developing a unique and evolving skill set through continuous learning to meet the demands of current and future challenges.

The role is primarily based at Lambeth HQ, though you may on occasion be required to work from alternative locations dependent on operational need.

• Conversion of analogue and digital audio formats
• Editing audio and audiovisual recordings
• Enhancement of audio recordings to optimise intelligibility / listenability
• Providing advice and technical support to police officers
• Assessment of forensic submissions and the development of forensic strategies
• Carrying out technical checks and peer reviews for other practitioners
• Production of clear and appropriate casework records
• Preparation of statements and attendance at court as required
• Researching, testing and maintaining equipment, keeping laboratory asset registers updated
• Sharing information with and providing support to other members of the audio laboratory and Digital Forensics (DF).

• Assessing the suitability of recordings for speaker comparison and other forensic phonetic work
• Assisting with maintenance of the Electrical Network Frequency (ENF) database
• Assisting more senior audio laboratory staff with analytical work and research
• Data recovery and recovery of damaged media
• Delivery of awareness talks and presentations to raise awareness of audio forensics, both internally and externally
• Delivery of technical training.

The role holder will be required to:

• Participate in occupational health requirements (a hearing test must be taken and passed every three years, and will be required before taking up the role if the successful candidate has not already passed a Met OH hearing test within the last three years)
• Provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the staff elimination databases
• Agree to abide by the MPS Standards of Conduct
• Comply with all mandatory training requirements
• Demonstrate continual development of competence in all key…