Class Code: 06018
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES
CRIMINALIST
DEFINITION
Collects
and preserves evidence and conducts varied and complex forensic analyses and
examinations of physical substances in the Division of Criminal Investigation
Crime Laboratory or for the State Medical Examiner, or forensic examinations of
electronic and digital media in the Division of Criminal Investigation Cyber
Crime Unit, as a part of the scientific investigation of crimes; performs
related work as required.
The
Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and
not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
WORK EXAMPLES
Conducts forensic examinations and
analysis on a variety of electronic and digital source media.
Receives and conducts proper intake
submission procedures for electronic and digital source media as submitted for
examination.
Follows DPS/DCI investigative
guidelines relative to examinations and investigations of electronic and
digital source media or cyber crime.
Conducts and facilitates training
for DPS Officers and outside agencies related to proper best practices in the
handling and seizure of electronic and digital source media.
Conducts community outreach programs
related to Cyber Crime, when requested.
Attends continual training as
required by the DCI Cyber Crime Unit regarding forensic examination of
electronic and digital media and cyber crime.
Attends and completes continual
specialized training related to electronic and digital forensic examinations.
Provides technical assistance and
supports law enforcement agencies upon request.
Analyzes body tissues to ascertain
the presence of drugs, narcotics, alcohol or poisons for toxicology purposes.
Analyzes and compares handwriting,
printing, typewriting, typeset print, photographs and other types of printed
material to ascertain the author of the material or demonstrate relationships
between two materials.
Identifies and compares
fingerprints, footwear, foot and palm impressions, tire treads and serial
numbers to identify persons and/or materials used in criminal activities.
Writes laboratory reports on
analyses conducted on physical evidence to reflect the identification, grouping
or characteristics of materials that have been submitted for analysis.
Presents testimony at grand jury
proceedings, preliminary hearings, or trials in order to interpret, present and
clarify evidence and test results.
Instructs laboratory personnel
(on-the-job training) in the proper methods of submitting laboratory paper
work, new lab techniques, operating lab equipment, and policies in the
laboratory.
Identifies and compares tool marks,
fired bullets, cartridge cases, distance determinations, firearm discharges and
residues in order to determine the physical and chemical aspects of unknowns
and to show similarities to knowns.
Analyzes physiological stains such
as blood and body fluids to determine, identify, and group as to origin or
species.
Examines beverages, blood, urine,
body fluids, and post-mortem human organs to determine if alcohol, drugs and/or
poisons are present for toxicology purposes, and to identify the type and
quantity of the substance present.
Analyzes chemical reagents purchased
by or developed in the laboratory to determine if they will perform the task
they are designed to achieve.
Identifies and compares materials
such as glass, paint, soil, flammable materials, metals, greases, ink,
alcoholic beverages, gunpowder residues or other hard trace evidence to ascertain
if they came from a common source or determine what the item is.
Identifies and conducts quantitative
analysis of drugs and alcoholic substances.
COMPETENCIES
REQUIRED
Knowledge of the use of chemical and
physical analysis instruments and/or equipment (i.e., microscope, ultra-violet
spectrophotometer, infrared apparatus, thin layer chromatography apparatus) in
a laboratory.
Knowledge of the nature of physical
evidence and the proper collection procedures and documentation of physical
substances obtained in criminal investigations.
Knowledge of proper laboratory
procedures and equipment, instrumentation, chemicals, and other materials used
in the laboratory.
Knowledge of journals, textbooks and
other information resources and their application to the investigation of
crimes.
Knowledge of chemistry,
biochemistry, toxicology, physics, biology, and microanalysis as they relate to
lab analysis of physiological body fluids and organs, alcohol, drugs, poisons,
hair samples, paint and documents.
Knowledge of the physical
characteristics of physiological stains, human organs, alcohol, drugs, poisons,
human and animal hair, fibers and textiles, and paint so as to appropriately
identify the substance for the purpose of conducting the proper analysis.
Knowledge of methods used to
illustrate information for use in reports and support testimony in criminal
investigations.
Knowledge of laboratory reporting
procedures.
Ability to testify/communicate,
orally and in writing, and maintain composure while under direct/cross-examination
in a court of law/grand jury regarding scientific evidence and personal
qualifications.
Ability to determine size, color,
smell and shape of objects in order to identify evidence.
Ability to follow laboratory
investigation procedures, observe reactions, record and interpret results, and
arrive at conclusions.
Ability to read graphs and charts
resulting from instrumentation output.
Ability to adapt theories and
principles of natural and physical sciences to problems encountered in the
analysis of substances.
Ability to recognize and select
those items which should be analyzed.
Ability to recognize evidential
materials and package evidence properly and securely.
Ability to use lab equipment,
chemicals, and instruments in conducting analyses of substances submitted to
the laboratory as a part of the investigation of a criminal case.
Ability to conduct tests using lab
equipment, chemicals, and instrumentation to obtain results.
Ability to assist in lifting bodies
weighing over 300 pounds.
Displays high standards of ethical
conduct. Exhibits honesty and
integrity. Refrains from theft-related,
dishonest or unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with internal
and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous,
and cooperative manner. Committed to
quality service.
Displays a high level of initiative,
effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention
to detail.
Responds appropriately to
supervision. Follows policy and
cooperates with supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the needs,
priorities and goals of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates
cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity.
Fosters commitment and team spirit.
Expresses information to individuals
or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the
information. Listens to others and
responds appropriately.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics or a closely
related physical or natural laboratory science;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience
substituting one year of experience in a crime laboratory performing firearms
identification, latent print identification, document examination, trace
evidence, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, forensic photography, or
crime scene investigation and forensic training, for one year (thirty semester
or equivalent hours) of the required education with a maximum substitution of
four years.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
All applicants for this class must
be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Division
of Criminal Investigation.
Applicants must be available to travel and may be required
to stay away from home overnight during assignments.
SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION
For certain designated positions, the appointing authority,
with Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise
approval, may selectively request those applicants possessing a minimum of:
950 DNA – College
coursework or classes from an accredited college or university covering the
subject areas of biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
951 Document
Examination – One year of experience in document examination in a police or
crime lab
952 Firearms
Examination – One year of experience in firearm examination
953 Chemistry – One
year of experience in chemistry in a crime laboratory setting
954 Latent
Fingerprint – One year of experience in latent print examination, must be
certified or certifiable
969 Computer
Forensics – Two years’ experience performing and conducting
forensic examinations on a variety of electronic and digital media. In addition, all applicants must hold the
following certifications from the International Association of Computer
Investigative Specialists (IACIS):
·
Certified Computer Examiner
(CFCE)
·
Certified Electronic Evidence
Collection Specialist (CEECS)
Applicants
desiring to be considered for these positions should list applicable education,
experience certification on the application.
Effective
Date: 05/08
CH