State of Connecticut Executive Branch

In the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services this class is accountable for acting as a working lead of a section consisting of specialized activities and conducting a variety of highly, advanced technical and complex tests in the analysis of physical evidence.

DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA) SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as nuclear and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of evidence such as latent fingerprints, electronic/digital imaging, firearms, ballistics, toolmarks, questioned documents, imprints and investigating electronic related criminal activity.

TOXICOLOGY SECTION: Incumbents are responsible for acting as a working lead and performing the most complex analysis of forensic biology evidence such as trace, physical, chemical samples, autopsy specimens, body fluids, hairs, fibers and identification of suspected poisonous substances.

• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
• Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
• Ensures that evidence is being processed in correct sequence;
• Oversees implementation of quality assurance/control programs in an area of expertise;
• Formulates, designs and oversees research projects;
• Acts as a technical resource expert for laboratory when highly complex and technical forensic analysis is required;
• Reconstructs or assists in reconstruction of complex crime scenes;
• Maintains instrumentation and equipment and safeguards laboratory physical evidence;
• Prepares comprehensive complex reports;
• Testifies in court as an expert witness;
• Trains laboratory staff and law enforcement personnel on newly developed procedures and techniques;
• Develops and implements new technical procedures utilizing new or current instrumentation or technology;
• Oversees validation testing for all new procedures implemented;
• May make recommendations on policies or standards;
• May prepare reports and correspondence;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • current laboratory facilities, methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;
  • modern methods of criminal investigations and identification;
  • applicable techniques and procedures for analyzing evidentiary materials;
  • physical laboratory instrumentation, documents, firearms, fingerprints and crime reconstruction techniques;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • independently conduct technical, analytical, consultative and research activities;
  • utilize computer software;
  • act as an expert witness in a court of law on complex and sensitive cases;
  • reconstruct crime scenes;
• Supervisory ability.

• College training in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience required on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• A Ph.D. in forensic science, applied genomics, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology or closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Incumbents in this class may be required to work flexible hours.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.