State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Crime Scene Section Supervisor is the supervisory level of forensic field services work.  Employees in this classification supervised lower-level MSP Crime Scene Technicians who identify, collect, record and preserve evidence found at crime and disaster scenes for laboratory examination and court presentations.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level MSP Crime Scene Section personnel who perform a variety of laboratory tests and analyses in specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines (i.e. Crime Scene Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Bullet Trajectory Analysis, Crime Scene Footwear Impressions Classification Analysis, Crime Scene Tire Track Impressions Classification Analysis).  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level MSP Crime Scene Section personnel and support staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an MSP Crime Scene Section Manager or other designated administrator.  Work may be performed in a laboratory setting or at crime scenes located throughout the State.  Employees in this classification may be required to work overtime.  Employees may be exposed to hazardous agents 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 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 Section Supervisor is differentiated from the MSP Crime Scene Technician Advanced in that the MSP Crime Scene Section Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level MSP Crime Scene Section personnel while the MSP Crime Scene Technician Advanced has been certified by the MSP Forensic Sciences Director to have met all of the advanced level competency requirements for the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines (i.e. Crime Scene Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Bullet Trajectory Analysis, Crime Scene Footwear Impressions Classification Analysis, Crime Scene Tire Track Impression Classification Analysis) OR functions as a Training Coordinator of either the Crime Scene Section or one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines; OR functions as a Technical Leader in a specialized Crime Scene sub-discipline; OR functions as Technical Leader of the Crime Scene Section or one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines. The MSP Crime Scene Section Supervisor is differentiated from the MSP Crime Scene Section Manager in that the MSP Crime Scene Section Manager has supervisory responsibility for MSP Crime Scene Section Supervisors.

Supervises, schedules, assigns and evaluates the work of lower-level MSP Crime Scene Section personnel and other subordinate laboratory workers within an assigned unit;

Provides direction to subordinate staff on assignments, work schedules, analysis priorities and the use and maintenance of laboratory equipment;

Functions as Case Managers in the section sub-disciplines;

Recommends new policies and procedures that will facilitate a more effective operation of the laboratory;

Provides direction and guidance to staff in solving technical problems related to scientific and comparative analyses;

Conducts laboratory tests or analyses of physical evidence and prepares scientific reports to document methods used and conclusions reached;

Testifies in court as an expert witness about the design and results of tests conducted;

Designs and prepares exhibits of tested physical evidence for use in court proceedings in order to assist in the prosecution of criminal cases;

Attends and successfully completes all required competency and certification training;

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

Prepares and maintains case records, files, monthly and annual statistic reports 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;

May function as Training Coordinators in Crime Scene Section sub-disciplines;

May function as Technical Leaders in Crime Scene Section sub-disciplines;

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 the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment;

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

Ability to coordinate and supervise the work of MSP Crime Scene Technicians;

Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare scientific reports in a manner acceptable for admission in a court of law;

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

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: Five years of experience identifying, collecting, recording and preserving physical evidence at crime and disaster scenes including experience in providing testimony as an expert witness in moot or criminal court.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience identifying, collecting, recording and preserving physical evidence at crime and disaster scenes to include experience in providing expert testimony, on a year-for- year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute additional experience at another accredited crime laboratory performing equivalent work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in the above physical, natural or forensic sciences from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree in the above physical, natural or forensic sciences from an accredited college or university for two years of the required experience. 

1. Employees in this classification will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle and as such will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Candidates appointed to this classification must possess the certification or license required by the governing body of the forensic discipline associated with the job duties for the specific position. Specific information concerning the requirements and procedures of the applicable governing body can be obtained from the Human Resources office of the Maryland Department of State Police,1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208.

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.