STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES


 

CLASSIFICATION:  CRIMINALIST III

 

Class Code:  2336-26                                             Date Established:  09-23-97

 

Occupational Code:  7-6-4                                     Date of Last Revision:  05-11-11

 

BASIC PURPOSE:  To coordinate and conduct scientific examinations and analyses on physiological specimens for criminal investigations, and testifies as subject matter expert in criminal trials.

 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·           Collects and preserves evidence from crime scenes and suspects.

·           Prepares detailed reports on scientific findings relative to laboratory analysis and examinations.

·           Trains and supervises subordinates in analysis, identification and comparison of various types of physical evidence.

·           Testifies in court as an expert witness as required.

·           Supervises laboratory personnel in absences of Laboratory Director and Assistant Laboratory Director.

·           Oversees laboratory projects such as evaluating new procedures or chairing a taskforce, and actively participates on laboratory committees.

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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 expertise to resolve problems of a specialized or professional nature in a wide range of applications.

 

Impact:  Requires responsibility for achieving major aspects of long-range agency objectives by planning short- and long-term organizational goals, reviewing recommendations for procedural changes, and developing or revising program policies.  Errors at this level result in incorrect decisions at an administrative level, and are detected subsequent to implementation in an overall evaluation process.

 

Supervision:  Requires direct supervision of other employees doing related or similar work, including scheduling work, recommending leave, reviewing work for accuracy, performance appraisal, or interviewing applicants for position vacancies.

 

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 reviewing summaries and reports and making decisions to solve problems or to achieve work objectives as well as articulating and expressing those solutions and goals.  This level also requires formal presentations of solutions and goals to employees and the general public to increase the responsiveness of the agency toward the demands of its client system.

 

Complexity:  Requires evaluating a combination of wide-ranging job functions to determine work procedures, to solve problems, and to reach conclusions by applying analytical, technical, or scientific thinking.  This level also requires planning policies and long-term strategies, drawing conclusions based on available criteria, and evaluating the effectiveness of program objectives.

 

Independent Action:  Requires objective assessment in analyzing and developing new work methods and procedures subject to periodic review and in making decisions according to established technical, professional or administrative standards.

 

 

 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

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

 

Experience:  Four years’ experience in chemistry, biological sciences or forensic laboratory duties; one year shall have been at a supervisory level.  Each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education at the graduate level only.

 

License/Certification:  Must be eligible to hold a NH driver’s license and have access to transportation for use in statewide travel.  Applicants must meet certification requirements of the FBI’s SWGDAM or ASCLD/LAB as a Technical Supervisor in one of the forensic disciplines.

 

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

 

RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS:  Knowledge of forensic DNA principles, laboratory techniques, procedures &  technology.  Knowledge of physiological evidence, collections and preservation techniques.  Knowledge of rules of evidence.  Knowledge of forensic serology.  Knowledge of Electrophoresis/isoelectric focusing.  Knowledge of the principles and practices of quantitative/qualitative organic chemistry.  Knowledge of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology & recombinant DNA technology.  Knowledge of laboratory safety rules, regulations, and procedures.  Knowledge of forensic DNA laboratory proficiency and validation studies.  Ability to perform forensic DNA-RFLP and DNA-PCR analyses.  Ability to evaluate and interpret forensic DNA test results.  Ability to present and defend findings in a Court of Law.  Ability to communicate succinctly in written and verbal form. Ability to examine, analyze, identify and compare various types of physical evidence.  Ability to prepare reagents and solutions.  Ability to supervise and train staff in analysis and identification of blood and bodily fluids.  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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