State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Forensic Photographer II is the full performance level of technical work related to photographic processing of crime scene evidence in the Forensic Sciences Division of the Maryland State Police crime laboratory.  Employees in this classification document evidence through photographs and other photographic methods.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an MSP Forensic Photographer Supervisor.  Work may be performed at crime scenes located throughout the state.  Employees in this classification may be required to work overtime.  Employees may be exposed to hazardous agents and materials requiring the use of safety equipment. Employees are subject to call in on a 24-hour basis.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The MSP Forensic Photographer I and MSP Forensic Photographer II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The MSP Forensic Photographer I performs duties under close supervision while and the MSP Forensic Photographer II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The MSP Forensic Photographer II is differentiated from the MSP Forensic Photographer Supervisor in that the MSP Forensic Photographer Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level MSP Forensic Photographers.

Photographs evidence at crime scenes, such as bloodstains, cuts or tears in clothing, location of bodies, bullet holes, and shoe and tire impressions in order to document the evidence found;

Performs various photographic procedures and processes on forensic evidence in accordance with applicable operational procedures and quality assurance and safety manuals;

Examines and enhances images of latent prints, questioned documents, shoe and tire impressions, and trace evidence to be used in criminal proceedings;

Takes photographs of aerial scenes, mass arrests, civil disturbances and disaster scenes;

Prepares and maintains case records and files in accordance with applicable standards;

Assists in the preparation and presentation of photographic exhibits to be used in criminal proceedings;

Testifies in court as an expert witness as to the chain of custody, the accuracy and authenticity of the photographs and to explain the methods, techniques and procedures used and the results obtained;

Operates, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs various photographic equipment to ensure integrity of the images of evidence taken at the scene;

Reviews professional journals and publications and attends seminars, workshops and professional meetings to keep abreast of current trends and technological developments in the field;

Performs as part of the Mass Disaster Team;

May assist in crime scene investigations by properly documenting the scene of the crime;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of photographic methods, principles, practices and techniques;

Knowledge of MSP Forensic Sciences Division policies and procedures;

Knowledge of criminal trial procedures related to the rules of evidence;

Knowledge of law enforcement investigative procedures concerning physical evidence;

Skill in photographing physical evidence using appropriate photographic technology;

Skill in developing photographs and enhancing images without distortion of evidence;

Skill in understanding and following crime lab procedures and policies;

Skill in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting specialized photographic equipment;

Skill in the application of standard precautions in handling hazardous chemicals and working around potentially infectious materials;

Ability to maintain accurate records and case files;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and customers.

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience performing forensic photography to include providing testimony in moot or criminal court and four years of additional experience performing forensic photography work or advanced specialized/custom photo techniques such as macrophotography, photomicrography or custom printing.

Note: Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 credit hours in photography or related courses such as Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Imaging; Computer Graphics with Adobe Photoshop and one year of experience performing forensic photography to include providing testimony in moot or criminal court for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and are required to provide the agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to random substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulation 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

3. In accordance with Public Safety Article, Title 2. Department of State Police, 2-204 (b)(6) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, candidates for positions in this classification will be subject to an initial drug screening, a physical examination, submission of a DNA sample, and a complete criminal background investigation, to include a polygraph examination, before permanent appointment can be made.  A criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection of the candidate.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B, Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are exempt from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.