Job Description
JOB The Police Department provides a structured career ladder within the Evidence and Forensics unit, offering opportunities for advancement through Evidence Technician and Forensic Specialist I and II roles. Placement in these positions is based on an individual’s experience, education, training, and demonstrated competencies.The Evidence and Forensics unit is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the chain of custody for all evidence, including the collection, documentation, packaging, storage, and submission of evidence for laboratory analysis and court proceedings. This unit supports crime scene and vehicle processing, manages property and evidence room operations, and utilizes specialized skills to extract, preserve, and process digital multimedia evidence (DME) in accordance with established law enforcement best practices. The position also involves coordination with law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and the public regarding evidence handling and property release.These positions are designated as safety sensitive. Therefore, participation in random drug testing in accordance with City policy is required.Salaries: PositionHourly MinHourly MaxAnnual MinAnnual MaxEvidence Technician$20.15$29.22$41,913.13$60,774.03Forensic Specialist I$23.50$34.08$48,887.48$70,886.83Forensic Specialist II$25.38$36.81$52,798.46$76,557.77 EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.Evidence Technician: Intakes evidence using a computerized RMS system; evaluates and verifies items meet policies and best practices.Completes digital evidence requests for Galveston and Harris County District Attorney's office.Releases property to the correct individuals per the approval of Case Officer, Supervisor or Court Order via appointments.Completes destruction order requests and participates in evidence destruction.Transports evidence to Crime Labs and attaches the submission forms and results when received.Answers the Property phone line and listens and responds to voicemails left on the line.Responds to crime scenes with Forensic Specialists to learn crime scene investigation techniques (photography, latent print processing, chemical processing, etc.)Performs related work as required.Forensic Specialist I: All duties as an Evidence TechnicianRespond to a variety of crime scenes to assist with proper documentation, recognition, collection and preservation of evidence.Use photography skills to properly document evidence recovered at a scene or in a lab setting.Use powders and chemicals to process evidence and scenes for latent fingerprints and subsequent lifting/photographing the prints.Analyze, compare and evaluate latent fingerprint impressions.Use an alternate light source to examine scenes for body fluids, hairs and fibers.Maintain the evidence room, lab, and additional evidence storage areas to ensure all property is accounted for and stored in a cataloged orderly manner.Follow all current laws governing the collection, processing and maintaining of evidence. Responsible for the research of all criminal cases which have evidence to determine dispositions.Oversee the disposition of property/evidence to include setting up property hearings and destruction orders in compliance with city ordinance, state and federal law.Responsible for redacting videos as requested by the Attorney General, Judges and District Attorneys.Utilize the digital camera systems to burn, collect and store videos, and retrieve videos as needed.Scientific examination, comparison, and evaluation of digital multimedia evidence.Responsible for testifying in court as an expert witness regarding video/audio analysis, evidence processing and crime scene processing.Monitor the patrol officers evidence supplies and replaces items as needed.Forensic Specialist II: All duties as an Evidence Technician and Forensic Specialist I SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Evidence Technician: Knowledge of, Skill in, Ability toKnowledge of department policy and directives and any applicable laws related to evidence tracking and the release of propertyKnowledge of statutes of limitation for the cases evidenceKnowledge of Digital Single Lense Reflex (SLR) camera; point and shoot, or single lenses camerasKnowledge of practices relating to the identification, collection, processing, releasing, and disposing of property and evidenceKnowledge of processing various materials and how to clean an area after working with the materialsKnowledge of crime lab submission and acceptance policiesKnowledge of case and case statusKnowledge of court system processesKnowledge of L-3 MobileVision systems, or similar recording systemsKnowledge of modern office procedures, methods and computer equipmentSkill in interperson