Placer County

Evidence Technician - I (#16401)

$26.95-$33.64 Hourly / $4,671.33-$5,830.93 Monthly / $56,056.00-$69,971.20 Yearly

Evidence Technician - II (#16403)

$29.70-$37.09 Hourly / $5,148.00-$6,428.93 Monthly / $61,776.00-$77,147.20 Yearly


DEFINITION

To perform a variety of tasks associated with the collection, maintenance, and preservation of evidence; in a non-sworn technical capacity, to perform field and laboratory photographic and technical evidence work; and to maintain criminal identification records and evidence as part of the investigation and prosecution work of the Sheriff's Office.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Evidence Technician I
This is the entry level class in the Evidence Technician series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Evidence Technician II
This is the full journey level class within the Evidence Technician series. This class is distinguished from the Evidence Technician I by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Evidence Technician I
Receives immediate supervision from supervisory and/or management staff of the Sheriff's Office.
May receive technical or functional supervision from the Evidence Technician II.

Evidence Technician II
Receives general supervision from supervisory and/or management staff of the Sheriff's Office.
May exercise technical or functional supervision over Evidence Technician I personnel.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Oversee the preparation, identification, and maintenance of assigned evidence and found property.
  • Perform field forensic work under the direction of sworn staff; search for and collect physical evidence; photograph and video record crime scenes; make diagrams and log items collected from each location; process and send out blood and urine samples to be analyzed; conduct specialized tasks in photography, latent fingerprint development, and other evidence collection as required.
  • Identify and preserve evidence; make evidence available for viewing and courtroom presentations; book property into and out of evidence to preserve the chain of evidence; maintain evidence rooms and storage areas in an organized and orderly fashion; maintain detailed filing systems and records on all booked property; destroy and release property; inventory monies and narcotics; generate reports and assist other members of the Sheriff's Office with investigations as required.
  • Classify and identify fingerprints; assist in identification matters with Federal, State, and local authorities; prepare fingerprint displays for court; compare latent fingerprints to known and unknown suspects and victims; maintain and use files and computer systems to identify suspects; maintain and operate equipment for processing of fingerprints.
  • Take official and personnel photographs for the purpose of identification and evidence; take photographs relating to evidence in support of criminal investigations in the field, at autopsies, and in-house; enlarge crime scene photographs to be utilized as courtroom exhibits; maintain files of photographs.
  • Cooperate and work closely with other law enforcement agencies in identification matters as required.
  • Requisition materials and supplies as necessary; assist supervisory personnel and other staff in identifying future budgetary needs.
  • Instruct and assist officers in the proper use of photographic and fingerprint equipment.
  • Prepare various written reports as necessary.
  • Provide testimony in court as directed.
  • Provide adequate staff coverage/availability outside of normal business house, as needed.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. Incumbents are exposed to a variety of environmental factors related to the collection of evidence and field forensic work. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Evidence Technician I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One (1) year of clerical or administrative experience. Related work experience in a law enforcement setting is preferred.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Evidence Technician II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of responsible evidence collection and preparation experience performing duties similar to an Evidence Technician I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade. Additional specialized training in evidence collection, law enforcement, or a related field is desirable.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Evidence Technician I

Knowledge of:

  • Basic law enforcement terminology and operations.
  • Basic police reports.
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Ability to:

  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; analyze crime scenes; develop evidence to be processed; understand and recall principles of evidence collection and analysis; identify, interpret, explain, and enforce evidentiary and other law enforcement procedures; observe while in the field; review and interpret case reports; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
  • On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk or in a vehicle for extended periods of time; walk and stand for long periods of time; push, pull, grasp, bend, twist, squat, stoop, kneel, reach, climb, crouch, and crawl to access office and field work equipment and to perform field duties; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; occasionally lift heavy weight.
  • Learn modern criminal identification techniques, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
  • Learn to operate equipment and materials used in photographic and fingerprint work, including sophisticated computer programs and equipment.
  • Learn to take photographs with some degree of sophistication.
  • Learn to perform fingerprint comparisons and analyses.
  • Learn to perform more sophisticated field forensics.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
  • Work odd or unusual hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime.
  • Work in close proximity to human remains in various stages of decomposition, which may include odors, biological/chemical agents, and communicable disease.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Evidence Technician II

In addition to the qualifications for the Evidence Technician I:

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of evidence collection, analysis, and management, in addition to advanced criminal identification techniques emphasizing photography and fingerprinting.
  • Modern methods, practices, and techniques of law enforcement work including knowledge of criminal investigation and crime scene analysis.
  • Use of various electronic video equipment.
  • Standard fingerprint classification methods, practices, records, and equipment.
  • Digital photography
  • Principles and practices of work safety, including the handling of urine and blood samples.
  • Basic law enforcement report preparation.
  • Basic record keeping and budgeting techniques.

Ability to:

  • Perform a variety of evidentiary collection methods and analyses, emphasizing photography and fingerprinting, including the performance of latent fingerprint comparisons and analysis; printing and enlarging of photographs for courtroom presentation; and more sophisticated field forensics.
  • Operate equipment and materials used in photographic and fingerprint work and take digital photographs with some degree of sophistication.
  • Prepare clear and concise reports.
  • Lift latent fingerprints and classify fingerprints accurately.
  • Interpret and apply a variety of regulations and procedures dealing with criminal investigations.
  • Maintain detailed records relating to evidence.
  • Perform job duties effectively under pressure.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:
  • All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:
  • General


CLASS: 16401; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 5/9/2022;
CLASS: 16403; EST: 9/2/1995;