Forensic Scientist I - Denver Police Department

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory is currently seeking to hire a Forensic Scientist I to be assigned to the Latent Print Unit. This position will perform entry level professional forensic work while receiving on-the-job training in the methods, practices, procedures, and equipment of forensic science by applying physical sciences to the investigation of crimes and conducting scientific laboratory analyses on physical evidence. The Denver Crime Laboratory investigates criminal cases from property crimes to sexual assault, homicide and other major crimes within the City and County of Denver. This position will be located at Denver Crime Laboratory building at 1371 Cherokee Street. The current schedule for this position is Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm. This position is not remote, nor will it become so.

Requirements

• Be technically competent, trainable, and understand various scientific principles and methods.
• Have strong interpersonal skills, function well as team member, and complete tasks independently.
• Demonstrate technical knowledge and skills, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions.
• Have one (1) year experience working in a forensic laboratory conducting chemical processing of evidentiary items for the presence of latent prints.
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
• One (1) year bench experience working in a laboratory.
• It is a condition of employment that the Denver Police Forensics & Evidence Division form for consent for collection of a DNA sample be completed at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receives comprehensive instruction in the scientific analysis of physical evidence, develops competencies in forensic science including the laboratory techniques, methods, practices, and equipment, and is assigned less complex casework.
• Conducts supervised chemical and biochemical analyzes of evidence to identify and confirm compositions and interpret results for use in felony investigations.
• Maintains chain-of-custody for evidence by recording description of evidence, laboratory identification numbers, dates, times, tests performed, techniques used, and other pertinent information.
• Prepares technical reports, maintains written and computer records of all tests, and consults with supervisors, investigators, and/or attorneys about findings and interpretation of results.
• Assists in the preparation of court testimony that links findings with conclusions and the establishment of the scientific soundness of analytical methods.
• Operates and performs preventive maintenance/minor repairs on state-of-the-art laboratory and analytical instrumentation and equipment.
• By position, visits crime scenes to assist with the identification, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level