State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Crime Scene Technician I is the entry level of forensic field services work.  Employees in this classification identify, collect, record and preserve evidence found at crime and disaster scenes for laboratory examination and court presentations.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a MSP Crime Scene Technician Supervisor.  Employees may be subject to 24 hour on-call duty and overtime based upon staffing needs.  The work is performed at crime and disaster scenes where climbing, crawling and stooping may be required.  Employees may be exposed to hazardous chemical agents requiring the use of safety equipment.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing 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 Crime Scene Technician I, MSP Crime Scene Technician II, and MSP Crime Scene Technician III are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The MSP Crime Scene Technician I learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The MSP Crime Scene Technician II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The MSP Crime Scene Technician III performs the full of range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to maintain case records and files in accordance with accreditation standards;

Surveys actual and suspected crime and disaster scenes, takes photographs and prepares sketches as necessary;

Identifies, collects, records and preserves evidence for further laboratory examination, analysis and processing;

Maintains control of physical evidence and maintains a proper chain of custody of evidence collected;

Processes crime scene and related evidence for latent prints, fabric impressions or shoe impressions either chemically or with specialized photographic techniques;

Attends autopsies and collects physical evidence where appropriate;

Prepares, testifies and presents evidence, photographs and sketches in criminal courts as to scientific findings and conclusions drawn;

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

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the scientific principles and practices of forensic field service work;

Knowledge of crime laboratory procedures and the processing of crime and disaster scene evidence;

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

Skill in identifying, collecting, recording and preserving physical evidence found at crime and disaster scenes;

Skill in surveying, photographing and preparing sketches at crime and disaster scenes;

Ability to control physical evidence and maintain a proper chain of custody for evidence collected;

Ability to respond to information transmitted over a mobile and a base radio system;

Ability to prepare reports to document findings of evidence at crime and disaster scenes;

Ability to make valid determinations concerning evidence based upon observations, technical procedures and use of laboratory equipment;

Ability to perform at crime and disaster scenes under stressful and unpleasant conditions which often involve deceased individuals in varying stages of decomposition;

Ability to prepare and present court testimony;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, forensic sciences, chemistry, biology, geology or related physical or natural science from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None.

Note: Candidates may substitute experience in identifying, collecting, recording and preserving physical evidence at crime and disaster scenes on a year for year basis for the required education.

1. In accordance with Public Safety Article, Section 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 by the hiring agency.

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

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

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, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H, Public Safety and Security classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded 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 level 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 by 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.