City and County of San Francisco

Criminalist I (#8259)

$41.59-$50.54 Hourly / $7,209.00-$8,760.00 Monthly / $86,502.00-$105,118.00 Yearly


Definition

Under immediate supervision, evaluates and scientifically examines the nature, origin and significance of physical evidence in criminal investigations; prepares report of findings; presents expert testimony in court, and performs related duties as required. The Criminalistics Laboratory is divided into three areas, General Criminalistics (narcotics and chemical analysis, firearms, impression evidence, and trace evidence), Forensic Document Examination, and Forensic Biology (DNA).

Distinguishing Features

This is the entry-level class in the Criminalist series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training to perform basic analytical tests and work on cases. Employees are initially assigned less difficult, routine duties and progress to increasingly complex assignments until fully trained. This class is distinguished from class 8260 Criminalist II in that the latter is fully trained and performs journey-level work.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the duties assigned to this class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Retrieves evidence from property control and/or medical examiner's office or from other custodians following established chain of custody procedures.

2. Preserves evidence following established laboratory standards by inventorying, documenting and safekeeping evidence.

3. Complies with established quality control procedures to ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment and reagents.

4. Adheres to established safety standards in the preparation, storage and disposal of chemicals to ensure personal safety and validity of the scientific process.

5. Documents case observations and interpretations through detailed notes, photographs, sketches, charts, etc.

6. Prepares technical reports on interpretation of case examinations.

7. Uses highly technical laboratory instruments and equipment.

8. Presents court testimony as an expert witness concerning conclusions drawn from laboratory examinations and analyses.

9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

When Assigned to General Criminalistics:

10. Identifies controlled substances such as cocaine, heroin, and pharmaceuticals.

11. Identifies firearm involved in an incident by examining the firearm, markings on recovered bullets and cartridge cases under a microscope.

12. Assists in the breath alcohol analysis and instrumental support.

13. Identifies trace evidence such as glass, soil, paint, gunshot residue, arson, and explosive debris; and impression evidence such as shoeprints and tire tracks; comparison of evidence from crime scene with evidence from other sources to reconstruct the crime or establish a connection with a subject.

When assigned to Forensic Document Examination:

14. Assists in the examination of questioned documents, including handwriting, machine-produced documents, indented writing, and ink.

When Assigned to Forensic Biology (DNA):

15 Identifies and genetically discriminates biological evidence such as blood, semen, hair, and bone.

16. Adheres to established policies and protocols for safe handling of biological evidence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and statistics; basic laboratory procedures, and equipment and apparatuses used in a laboratory setting.

Ability to: perform routine analytical procedures; make accurate observations and prepare records and notes; communicate clearly in oral and written form.

Experience and Training

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in criminalistics, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a closely related physical science field. See notes below.

Notes:

1. For positions assigned to General Criminalistics (narcotics and chemical analysis, firearms, impression evidence, and trace evidence), course work must include 8 semester units of chemistry with lab, 8 semester units of organic chemistry with lab, and 4 semester units of quantitative analysis with lab.

2. For positions assigned to Forensic Biology (DNA), course work must include the subject areas of forensic science, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology, or other subjects that provide a basic understanding of the foundation of forensic DNA analysis.  Course work must include 9 (nine) cumulative semester hours or equivalent that cover the required subject areas.

License or Certificate

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Notes

Effective: August 15, 2002

Disaster Service Workers

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

CLASS: 8259; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 1/1/1900;