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Forensic Technician

City of Richmond | Richmond, VA

Posted Date 5/29/2025
Description

The City of Richmond Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Forensic Technician for the Major Crimes Division/Forensic Unit. The selected candidates for this position will respond to any and all crime scenes that occur in the city of Richmond and will properly and completely document these crime scenes using photographs, notes and sketches. Preservation of evidence is the most important responsibility of this position and that it is done with proper handling, packaging and examination. This position requires knowledge of fingerprints to complete daily duties such as 10-print comparison between arrest packets and original fingerprint cards, and the ability to identify deceased victims for next of kin notification. This position also requires constant and daily communication with detectives, commonwealth attorneys and laboratory scientists to discuss cases and evidence for courtroom testimony.

  • Collecting, packaging and processing evidence from Homicides, Aggravated Assaults, Rapes, Robberies, Police Involved Shootings and any other investigations that they are requested to assist Field Services or Major Crimes;
  • Comparing fingerprints with the State of Virginia database and then forwarding them to Department Record Management section to be updated with the state;
  • Receiving, processing, and forwarding fingerprint cards of arrestees and applicants;
  • Maintaining departmental fingerprint file;
  • Searching, comparing, and evaluating latent and known fingerprints collected as evidence;
  • Evaluating reports from investigators' manual and computer files;
  • Conferring with investigators and prosecutors;
  • Taking photographs;
  • Instructing in the use of photographic, fingerprint, and other identification equipment;
  • Documenting and evaluating physical evidence from crime scenes;
  • Fully processing crime scenes;
  • Instructing and training police and laboratory personnel in the use of fingerprint, photographic, and crime scene equipment and procedures; and
  • Routinely testifying in court.
This position is considered ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL and must be available to report to work during disasters, inclement weather and other declared emergencies.

Selected candidates will be required to work a rotating and on-call schedule and to respond to crime scenes after regular work hours.

Successful completion of a thorough background investigation, including drug screen, is required.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor's degree in forensic science, criminal justice, police science, law enforcement, or related field
  • Two years of related experience
  • An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification
LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • A valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record
  • Acquisition of a valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire.
Preferred candidate will have two plus (2+) years of experience in crime scene investigations or related field, knowledge of fingerprints and AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), Department of Forensic Science graduate and /or Master’s Degree in Forensic Investigation/Science or related field (Biology, Criminal Justice)


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: The successful candidate must have strong organizational skills; analytical skills; verbal and written communication skills; the ability to pay attention to detail; the ability to follow procedure; the ability to work independently: and the ability to work a flexible rotating schedule including evenings, weekends, and on-call hours. Candidate must also have the ability to work in a variety of unpleasant, sometimes gruesome, environments, such as the scene of a car crash, homicide or other assault that may involve a victim of any age. The job may risk exposure to extreme heat and/or cold, bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals and explosives.
Salary65,520.00 - 102,731.20 Annual
Field
Police

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