Evidence Technician or Forensic Specialist I/II

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.

Job Functions

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.

• All duties as an Evidence Technician
• Respond 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.

• All duties as an Evidence Technician and Forensic Specialist I

Qualifications

All Positions:

• Valid Texas Driver's License
• International Association for Property and Evidence Certification OR ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry or Forensics or a related field OR
• At least two (2) years of experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, or Forensics or a related field OR
• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, or Forensics or a related field AND at least two (2) years of experience OR
• At least four (4) years of experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, or Forensics or a related field AND at least one (1) year of experience OR
• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry or Forensics or a related field AND at least three (3) years of experience OR
• At least five (5) years of experience
• International Association for Identification Crime Scene Investigations Certification

Supplemental Information

Evidence Technician: Knowledge of, Skill in, Ability to

• Knowledge of department policy and directives and any applicable laws related to evidence tracking and the release of property
• Knowledge of statutes of limitation for the cases evidence
• Knowledge of Digital Single Lense Reflex (SLR) camera; point and shoot, or single lenses cameras
• Knowledge of practices relating to the identification, collection, processing, releasing, and disposing of property and evidence
• Knowledge of processing various materials and how to clean an area after working with the materials
• Knowledge of crime lab submission and acceptance policies
• Knowledge of case and case status
• Knowledge of court system processes
• Knowledge of L-3 MobileVision systems, or similar recording systems
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Skill in interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Skill in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Skill in using DVD/CD copiers
• Skill in using Alternative Light Sources (ALS) when photographing
• Skill in navigating County database to research case dispositions
• Ability to prioritize cases based on court needs
• Ability to exercise visual processing of latent prints obtained from lab processing or scene processing
• Ability to apply advanced search and processing techniques and exercise some degree of discretion in determining the evidentiary value of an item or location
• Ability to research charges and suspects for a case
• Ability to complete appropriate paperwork
• Ability to ensure all submitted evidence meets lab requirements
• Ability to strictly adhere to department policies/directives and applicable laws
• Ability to handle a large volume of requests from multiple sources
• Ability to yestify on chain of custody for the cases
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Ability to accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

• All KSA's as an Evidence Technician

• All KSA's as an Evidence Technician and Forensic Specialist I