STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


 

CLASSIFICATION:  CRIMINALIST I

 

Class Code:  2334-19                                      Date Established:  02-19-76           

 

Occupational Code:  7-6-4                              Date of Last Revision:  01-02-09

 

BASIC PURPOSE:   To conduct chemical, biological and physical analyses and comparisons of physical evidence specimens in connection with criminal investigations.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·        Analyzes and identifies narcotics, drugs, paints and other substances to determine their chemical composition.

 

·        Conducts chemical tests on accelerants and dried blood stains.

 

·        Prepares and maintains analytical reagents, apparatus and laboratory materials.

 

·        Conducts physical comparisons of tire impressions and footwear impressions.

 

·        Consolidates analytical results and prepares detailed reports of tests and findings.

 

·        Testifies in court as an expert witness as required.

 

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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:

 

Skill:  Requires skill in developing formats and procedures for special applications OR in investigating and reviewing the use of equipment and data for a specialized function.

 

Knowledge:  Requires logical or scientific understanding to analyze problems of a specialized or professional nature in a particular field.

 

Impact:  Requires responsibility for contributing to immediate, ongoing agency objectives by facilitating the direct provision of services to the public or other state agencies.  Errors at this level result in inaccurate reports or invalid test results and require significant investment of time and resources to detect.

 

Supervision:  Requires no supervision of employees or functions.

 

Working Conditions:  Requires performing regular job functions in an adverse working environment containing a combination of disagreeable elements which impact significantly upon the employee's capacity for completing work assignments.  This level includes work-related accidents or assault.

 

Physical Demands:  Requires medium work, including continuous strenuous activities such as frequent reaching, bending, or lifting as well as performing work activities which require fine manual dexterity or coordination in operating machines or equipment.

 

Communication:  Requires summarizing data, preparing reports and making recommendations based on findings which contribute to solving problems and achieving work objectives.  This level also requires presenting information for use by administrative-level managers in making decisions.

 

Complexity:  Requires a combination of job functions to establish facts, to draw daily operational conclusions, or to solve practical problems.  This level also requires providing a variety of alternative solutions where only limited standardization exists.

 

 


Independent Action:  Requires a range of choice in applying a number of technical or administrative policies under general direction and in making routine decisions or in recommending modifications in work procedures for approval by supervisor.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:  Possession of a Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university with major study in chemistry, biological sciences, or forensic science.  Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience.

 

Experience:  Two years' experience in chemistry, biological sciences or forensic laboratory duties. 

 

License/Certification:  Eligibility for New Hampshire driver's license. 

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must be able to pass a security background check.

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:  Knowledge of the principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative organic and inorganic chemistry.  Knowledge of chemical and physical laboratory equipment and material.  Knowledge of the principles of physics and practices of physical testing.  Knowledge of college level mathematics.   Skill in the use and care of laboratory equipment and materials.  Ability to report the results of laboratory tests, clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental and local police, legal personnel and the general public.  Must be willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:  This class specification is descriptive of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this class title.

 


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