Latent Print Examiner

JOB
Responsible for the comparison of latent and prints to the known prints of suspects and witnesses

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
1. COMPARE PRINTS Evaluate, search, compare and identify latent finger, palm and foot impressions with known and unknown suspects. This examiner will maintain his/her comparison proficiency suitable to represent the interests of the department and public in all legal or judicial proceedings and will meet the standards of the fingerprint profession. Demonstrate such capability in periodic proficiency tests. Failure to meet and maintain such proficiency may result in transfer, demotion, or termination from the department. Maintains proper and legal care, custody and control of all evidence. Must be able to climb ladders. Manual dexterity to perform precise delicate work such as process evidence and fingerprint dead bodies. Must process the fortitude to handle extremely unpleasant items or situations such as decomposing bodies and bloody evidence. Must be able to visually and audibly detect hazards at crime scenes for personal safety.2. A.F.I.S. OPERATIONEnters and supervises the entry of latent prints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Utilizes A.F.I.S. to perform queries and cold searches for suspects and witnesses in criminal cases. Supervises and instructs inthe use of A.F.I.S.3. REPORTSWrites reports documenting the chain of custody of evidence and actions taken. Writes reports documenting the identification of an individual or the lack of sufficient characteristics for an identification. Writes supplemental reports. Maintains various evidence logs and check lists.4. LEGAL DUTIES Responds to subpoenas for trials, hearings and depositions to give testimony. Attends meeting with prosecutors to prepare for trials. Must be able to effectively present expert witness testimony in court.5. CUSTOMER SERVICE High volume of customer service is performed. Assists officers, other criminal justice personnel and citizens with inquiries over the telephone. Must be tactful and courteous when dealing with sensitive and confidential information. Communicates clearly, courteously and professionally to assist others. NONESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 1. Assist Evidence Technicians 2. Verifies identifications made by other experts 3. Assist in the training of personnel 4. Process evidence for latent prints 5. Compare latent footprints 6. Photograph developed latent prints 7. Assist in crime scenes processing 8. Train other evidence technicians.Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Ability to read a limited number of words and recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers. Ability to write and speak simple sentences as a means for basic communication. Ability to read and understand simple instructions, short correspondence, notes, letters and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to read and understand documents such as policy manuals, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with customers, clients, general public and other employees of the organization. Ability to read, analyze, and understand common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.Ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to read, analyze, and understand the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Ability to perform these mathematical skills using money and other forms of measurement. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS Ability to use common sense understanding in order to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few known variables in situations of a routine nature. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Under general supervision where standard practice enables the employee to proceed alone on routine work, referring all questionable cases to supervisor. PLANNING Considerable responsibility with regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner, and/or sequence of performance of own work, in addition, the work operations of a group of employees, all performing basically the same type of work. DECISION MAKING Performs work operations which permit frequent opportunity for decision-making of major importance which would have considerable effect on the final attainment of multiple major activities and the organization's projects of a large organization component and organization's clientele. MENTAL DEMAND Moderate mental demand. Operations requiring almost continuous attention, but work is sufficiently repetitive that a habit cycle is formed; operations requiring intermittent directed thinking to determine or select materials, equipment or operations where variable sequences may be selected by the employee.ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING Directed. Supervisory and/or professional skills using structured practices or policies and directed as to execution and review. Interpolation of learned things in moderately varied situations where reasoning and decision-making are essential. USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS Occasional use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs. ACCURACY Probable errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and could possibly affect organization-patron relationship, involve re-work, or additional expenditures in order to properly resolve the error. The possibility of such errors would occur quite frequently in performance of the job. May also cause inaccuracies or incomplete information that would be used in other segments of the organization as a basis for making subsequent decisions, plans, or actions. PUBLIC CONTACT Extensive contacts with various diversified sectors of the public environment; wherein, the contacts are of major importance and failure to exercise proper judgment can lead to substantial losses to the organization. EMPLOYEE CONTACT Contacts of considerable importance within the department or office, such as those required in coordination of effort, or frequent contacts with other departments or offices, generally in normal course of performing duties. Requires tact in discussing problems and presenting data and making recommendations, but responsibility for action and decision reverts to others. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is Continuously required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear. Regularly required to reach with hands and arms. Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS There are no harmful environmental conditions that are present for this position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, change in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).