State of Maryland

A Maryland State Police (MSP) Crime Scene Technician Advanced is the advanced 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.  The MSP Forensic Sciences Division Director determines whether employees in this classification meet one of the three qualifying job functions.  Employees in this classification either have fully developed technical expertise in more than one 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);  Or functions as a Training Coordinator of either the Crime Scene Section or one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines; Or functions as Technical Leader of the Crime Scene Section or one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines.   Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but do provide guidance and technical advice to lower-level MSP Crime Scene Technicians.

Employees in this classification receive general 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 Advanced is differentiated from the MSP Crime Scene Technician III in that 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 Impressions 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 Technical Leader of the Crime Scene Section or one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines while the MSP Crime Scene Technician performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The MSP Crime Scene Technician Advanced is differentiated from the MSP Crime Scene Section Supervisor in that the MSP Crime Scene Section Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level MSP Crime Scene Technicians.

Performs one of the following advanced level duties:

Performs analysis in one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines; or

Functions as a Training Coordinator; or

Functions as a Technical Leader;

Other duties of the Classification:

Provides technical assistance, guidance and training to lower-level MSP Crime Scene Technicians;

Testifies in court as an expert witness about the chain of custody, design and results of tests conducted and the conclusions reached;

Attends and successfully completes all required competency and continuing education training;

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

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;

Maintains case records and files in accordance with accreditation standards;

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: 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 and is certified by the Forensic Sciences Division Director to perform analysis in one of the specialized Crime Scene sub-disciplines; or functions as a Training Coordinator; or functions as a Technical Leader.

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. 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.