Forensic Evidence Specialist

Position Summary

The purpose and mission of the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency is to serve the Marion County Community and supports the needs of the Criminal Justice System by providing services in Crime Scene Processing, Forensic Document Examinations, Latent Print Processing and Examination, Blood Alcohol Analysis, Fire Debris Analysis, Seized Drugs Analysis, Firearms Examinations and NIBIN, DNA and Serology Analysis and Forensic Evidence Technician (Morgue Liaison) services. The agency cultivates a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County.

Position is responsible for providing morgue liaison specialist and investigation activities for law enforcement agencies throughout the City of Indianapolis and Marion County. Assists the forensic pathologist at medicolegal autopsies in the collection of evidentiary items; photographs the autopsy; fingerprints the body. Incumbent must exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties and receive minimal supervision. Independent judgement must be exercised with assessing the collection of forensic evidence of the autopsies, and in the course of performing one’s duties. Position reports to the Forensic Evidence Technician Supervisor.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

• Responsible for forensic support in the identification, preservation, and collection of forensic evidence at autopsies, provides a wide variety of morgue liaison and laboratory activities, which involve assisting the forensic pathologist with complex medicolegal autopsies involving homicides, suicides, vehicle crash fatalities, and drowning
• Assists in developing and/or implementing forensic and morgue liaison programs; confers with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to coordinate work activities at the morgue and/or in the laboratory
• Provides preliminary analysis of acquired or assigned evidence, to include testimony as an expert in court
• Ensures that the total work product meets all appropriate scientific, legal and accreditation requirements
• Trains new employees as assigned
• Provides fingerprint collection, DNA collection/swabbing, photography and collection of evidence obtained during the autopsy, such as spent bullets and fingernail scrapings
• Responsible for completing law enforcement agency requests for the duplication of videos of evidentiary value
• Ensures that appropriate quality assurance and quality control methodologies are employed throughout their section of the laboratory and/or work area, should there be multiple workstations
• Provides expert testimony in court
• Assists the Unit Supervisor with the evaluation of uploaded and duplicate crime scene videos of evidentiary value to ensure they meet laboratory quality standards in preparation for trial
• Assists the Unit Supervisor to develop, implement, and provide technical guidance to all employees within the laboratory to insure QA/QC, per accreditation guidelines
• Implements newly developed technologies as it pertains to the position
• Recommends modification of practices as required for the operation of the unit
• Reviews statistical data and ensure compliance with appropriate scientific, legal and government regulations
• Serves as a liaison between I-MCFSA and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure that scientific and administrative support is provided
• Assists in conducting training, as directed, for new employees and law enforcement agencies, to include basic evidence technician, crime scene, forensic illustration, and standing autopsies at the Marion County Coroner’s Office
• Attends seminars, meetings, and conferences to incorporate new developments into laboratory case work
• Presents results of laboratory training/research at conferences and/or publish results in scientific journals
• Must maintain confidentiality at all times
• This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time
  
  

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses, maybe considered. Five (5) years’ experience in crime scene processing or five (5) years law enforcement experience from a certified law enforcement academy, and experience in digital photography and alternative light sources may be used as a degree equivalent. Incumbent shall maintain proficiency through annual proficiency testing. Incumbent must be willing and capable of completing an internal/external training program determined by the Forensic Evidence Technician Supervisor and the Quality Assurance Program, and capable of completing additional specialized training, as required or available, from Federal, State and Local agencies, and other organizations. Should have knowledge of the criminal justice system and familiarity with the sensitive and confidential nature of evidence managing and examination. Must be able to establish and set priorities according to time sensitive information in order to have continued success in this position. Must be able to communicate effectively in oral, verbal, and written formats.

Preferred Job Requirements And Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Criminology, or related science courses, including minimum qualifications listed.