New Job Crime Scene Investigator / Evidence Custodian In Alaska

JOB SUMMARY

This job is a non-sworn position with the Fairbanks Police Department and is under the supervision of the Investigations Lieutenant.
Primary duties and responsibilities consist of processing collected evidence and maintaining manual and computer-generated records and logs of collected evidence and daily activities. The employee may testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal courts, pretrial conferences, grand juries, coroner inquests, etc. Crime Scene Investigators have some contact with outside agencies and frequent contact with uniformed officers, defectives, victims, suspects, and other law enforcement officials to exchange information which may be confidential or controversial in nature, necessitate explanations, and/or require the interpretation of facts. Assignments are received in verbal and written form and work products, or decision made are reviewed upon completion for overall quality and adherence to established policies and procedures. When not preforming duties as a CSI, performs duties as an Evidence Custodian.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position.

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  Travel to crime scenes to conduct inspections for the presence of evidence such as latent prints, footwear and tire impressions, firearm evidence, blood and other physiological fluids, controlled substances, and trace evidence such as hair, fibers, and gunshot residue.
• Document crime scenes by using general and comparison photography, note taking and sketching and/or diagraming crime scenes; process latent print surfaces by using standard powder, chemical, or photographic techniques.
• Process packages, and mail evidence to the State Crime Laboratory and other appropriate receiving agencies for further testing and examination, maintaining “chain-of-custody” procedures in the process.
• Maintain numerous computerized databases to track property, evidence, digital media, and various department statistical information.
• Coordinates and tracks City and Federal asset-forfeiture, to include proper disposal of assets and disbursement of funds/proceeds to the proper accounts and sharing agencies pursuant to current interagency agreements.
• Coordinates communications with the District Attorney’s Office to provide items for Discovery.
• Actively disposes of retained property, evidence, and records pursuant to State or Department retention policy and procedures.
• Arranges for the auction and sale/disposal of items which no longer need to be retained and ensure of the proper distribution of proceeds.
• Facilitate property room audits to ensure accountability and transparency of operations.
• Give direction and information to the public.
• Maintain pleasant and effective public relations.
• Receive training and participate in various types of report writing.
• Accomplish various courier and clerical duties.
• Participate in in-service training conferences and programs.
• Drive an automobile.
• Review possible graphic or offensive information, photos, video, or audio recordings.
• Adhere to the confidentiality standards of the Fairbanks Police Department.
• Process chemicals, illicit drugs, blood borne pathogens safely. This will sometimes include unpleasant odors.
• Respond to large incidents to process and receive evidence.
• Testify in depositions and court proceedings regarding the finding and processing methods used to gather and document evidence.
• The above examples are representative of assignments performed by this class and are not intended to be inclusive.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

These factors will be the basis for selecting those qualified candidates to be interviewed. Candidates hired must satisfactorily demonstrate these factors during a prescribed probationary period for continued employment:

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  Has some knowledge of proper packaging, storage of evidence items, and chain of custody procedures.
• Has some knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
• Has some knowledge of basic principles used in crime scene investigations.
• Has some knowledge in applying standard evidence collection techniques used in crime scene investigations.
• Has some knowledge of collecting and preserving toxicology specimens for evidentiary retention and shipment for further analysis.
• Ability to analyze data, facts, or information and draw logical conclusions.
• Ability to problem solve unique situations and objectively determine a course of action.
• Ability to read, understand, and adhere to rules and regulations.
• Ability to develop and maintain complex organizational systems.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate in a clear and professional manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to observe and remember details.
• Ability to maintain effective working relations with fellow employees, court officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.
• Ability to operate light duty motor vehicles skillfully and in a proper manner.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with regulations and apply these to work problems.
• Ability to keep records accurately.
• Ability to read and understand legal documents and court decisions.
• Ability to interact with citizens from diverse racial, ethnic, or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Physical strength and agility sufficient to perform the work of the class.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Subject to working indoors and out in all weather conditions.
Subject to call-out and stand-by duty.
Subject to working in confined spaces to include motor homes, vehicles, etc.
Subject to frequently working beyond normal scheduled work week, including weekends and holidays.
Frequently required to work in extremely undesirable environments.
Frequently required to work under stressful and hazardous environments.
Frequently walking, hiking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time.
Subject to kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting for extended periods of time.
Subject to working in an environment that may contain bodily fluids and/or deceased individuals.