Criminal Identification Officer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Barnstable, MA

About The Position

The Criminal Identification Officer supports the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in the recognition, documentation, collection, preservation, and secure transfer of physical evidence in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements and established agency policies.

Requirements

Broad knowledge of criminal investigations, crime scene processing, and evidence collection techniques.
Understanding of the criminal justice system, legal requirements for evidence handling, and courtroom procedures.
Ability to apply scientific and laboratory‑based methods to physical evidence and to operate specialized equipment including cameras, forensic light sources, and related tools.
Ability to prepare technical reports and provide credible, articulate testimony
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Organized with attention to detail.
Ability to maintain good attendance.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to prioritize and problem solve in a high-pressure environment.
Ability to exercise discretion and good judgement and to handle confidential information.
Ability to attend necessary trainings as required.
Strong knowledge of police investigations and evidence collection techniques.
Working knowledge of criminal justice systems and procedures.
Strong knowledge of handling laboratory and photography equipment.
Ability to apply scientific and laboratory methods to physical evidence.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in criminal justice, forensic science, criminology or related area of study is required in lieu of relevant experience.
A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in forensic science, law enforcement, investigations or related experience is required.
Graduation from an approved Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council basic recruit academy is required.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.
Crime Scene Officers may be required to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be available for on‑call responses

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with criminal justice agency operations preferred.

Responsibilities

Respond to requests from federal, state, county, and local agencies to provide professional assistance in processing crime scenes and recovering physical evidence.
Conduct thorough scene documentation through photography, video, sketching, measurements, and contemporaneous note taking to ensure accurate, complete, and reproducible records.
Identify, collect, preserve, package, label, and secure physical evidence using validated procedures consistent with ISO 17025 standards for traceability, chain of custody, and contamination prevention.
Prepare detailed written reports summarizing observations, actions taken, evidence recovered, and methods used. Reports must meet legal standards for accuracy, impartiality, and completeness.
Collaborate with the District Attorney’s Office and provide expert courtroom testimony regarding evidence handling and crime scene procedures.
Participate in interagency collaborations to support information sharing and investigative coordination.
Use fingerprint databases and exemplars to conduct comparative analyses that support the identification of individuals through recognized forensic practices.
Prepare investigative materials such as photo arrays, courtroom displays, and computer generated or hand drawn composite images for use by federal, state, county, and local agencies.
Conduct investigations into violations and criminal acts occurring within the Barnstable County Correctional Facility (BCCF) and assist BCCF personnel with security related incidents and provide support during critical incidents.
Deliver presentations and educational programs to civic groups, schools, and senior organizations on crime prevention, evidence awareness, and public safety topics.
Maintain proficiency in evidence collection, crime scene technology, photography, and documentation through ongoing training required for ISO 17025 competency.
Adhere to all unit quality assurance procedures, participate in required proficiency tests, and support internal audits and corrective actions.