3H41
FORENSIC LABORATORY MANAGER

This is forensic laboratory work at the second supervisory level, directing the activities of one of the Police Department's forensic laboratory sections through subordinate forensic supervisors. Work includes planning, directing, coordinating and supervising of examination, qualitative and quantitative chemical, physical, biological and biochemical analyses by macroscopic, microscopic and instrumental techniques, of suspected controlled substances, chemicals, biological material, DNA, poisons, confiscated physical evidence and a wide variety of other organic and inorganic substances in support of criminal investigations, and providing expert testimony in court.

Development of new techniques and methods of analysis, and evaluation of new methods and techniques developed by others, are significant aspects of the work. Work also includes developing, modifying and establishing laboratory processes and procedures related to the work in the assigned laboratory section; developing and recommending departmental laboratory policies, and advising police units in evidence collection techniques and safe handling of drug equipment.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.

• Positions must perform work at the second supervisory level, managing clerical staff and laboratory analysis activities of subordinate forensic scientists, and technicians through subordinate forensic supervisors.
• Positions must perform the work in the Police Department's Forensic Laboratory in support of forensic investigations.

• Plans, organizes, and manages, through subordinate supervisors, the work of forensic scientists and technicians engaged in scientific analyses of confiscated materials, organic, inorganic biological and DNA evidence in support of criminal investigations.
• Contacts a variety of public and private agencies to gather information on various analytical techniques and to solicit samples such as testing standards; may prepare reports interpreting results of test, indicating probability of crime or violation of statutes or ordinances.
• Conducts research experiments to develop modern, more efficient and more exact criminal laboratory methods, techniques and procedures; reads national and international professional journals and reports concerning developments in forensic analysis; develops, tests and evaluates new methods, techniques and procedures to certify their efficacy and feasibility for use in police criminalistic work.
• Reviews data and analytical reports to ensure that laboratory procedures have been followed.
• May make field trips to various crime scenes to supervise the collection and analysis of evidence in complex or sensitive investigations.
• Trains new laboratory personnel or supervises their training by experienced forensic scientists and technicians. Ensures that staff training in specialty areas is appropriate to the volume and type of analyses required.
• Ensures coordination between scientists, investigators, and the members of the legal system to ensure that appropriate laboratory services are provided timely.
• Ensures that appropriate forensic Quality Assurance activities are documented and implemented.
• Appears in court to testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases to present evidence uncovered by laboratory tests and examinations; explains forensic techniques and theory for current or hypothetical cases; provides justification through analysis of evidence for probable cause basis needed for warrant issuing; participates in Civilian Board of Inquiry convened to examine Police Department civilian disciplinary cases.
• Prepares laboratory budget and oversees other administrative functions applicable to assigned section; prepares grant applications for the purchase of specialized laboratory equipment; reviews journals, research papers and vendor's information to develop grant applications; prepares reports on grant funded studies.
• Performs training duties such as, developing and conducting formal training for detectives, police supervisory personnel, police recruits, civilian crime investigators, interns, nurses and other civilian personnel at hospitals, City agencies and elsewhere in forensic matters, principally on the proper collection of evidence; determines and obtains advanced training for senior staff members; reviews training outlines and syllabi to be used by supervisors in the unit.
• Maintains liaisons with other units within the department and outside agencies concerning the acceptance and analysis of evidence; reporting and interpreting results and the testimony of subordinate personnel in court.
• Manages or oversees the comparisons, operations, examinations and overall analysis of physical, chemical and DNA evidence.
• Ensures that all instrumental and test data is consistent with reported results.
• Reviews changes in legislation affecting the analysis of controlled substances.
• Advises police units on the safe and correct handling of drug equipment and hazardous materials, and the collection of evidence; arranges for transport of large quantities of controlled substance evidence.
• Manages a clerical staff who handles and tracks evidence, types and distributes reports, maintains accurate records and performs other related duties.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices and techniques used to prepare, examine and analyze investigational laboratory specimens.
• the principles, methods and techniques involved in application of the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology and DNA analysis as applied to forensic investigations.
• the use of modern instrumentation in the areas of microscopy, spectrophotometry, spectrography and chromatography as applied to tests performed.
• the rules of evidence and the methods used in presenting evidence in court.
• supervisory principles and practices.
• the principles of analytical chemistry, with emphasis on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of drugs and/or other related organic compounds.
• related areas of chemistry and other physical sciences, such as drug toxicology and mathematics as applied to analytical chemistry.
• biology as it applies to drug analysis.
• developments and requirements; methods and techniques; indexing system as it applies to DNA analysis.
• methods of presenting evidence in court, and of practices and procedures to ensure chain of evidence integrity.
• the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic and inorganic substances.
• principles and methods of quality assurance as related to a forensic laboratory.
SKILL IN:
• the use of laboratory equipment and apparatus and the performance of chemical procedures.
ABILITY TO:
• manage a specific laboratory section staffed with scientific, technical, and clerical employees through subordinate supervisors.
• develop new methods and adapt established methods of analytical chemistry to in-house processes.
• deduce the product of drug laboratory processes from collected substances and paraphernalia.
• perform chemical analyses and examinations.
• prepare scientifically accurate and comprehensive reports of findings of laboratory analyses.
• establish and maintain effective working conditions with associates, police personnel, and outside agencies.
• perform laboratory tests in accordance with prescribed criminalistics procedures and to make accurate observations and analyses of test results.
• adapt established criminalistic laboratory methods to meet specific problems.
• prepare and maintain budgetary and related records and reports of tests conducted.
• effectively present expert testimony in court.
• develop and conduct training for college interns, police personnel and civilian personnel involved in forensic activities.
• instruct chemists and technicians in investigational laboratory techniques and analysis.
• develop new forensic methods, techniques, and procedures and evaluate those developed by others for their efficacy.

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, molecular biology or criminalistics.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Four years of experience performing laboratory analysis on chemical, both organic and inorganic and/or DNA.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• One year of forensic laboratory experience supervising a group of forensic scientists and technicians engaged in the analysis and chain of custody of confiscated substances, organic or inorganic physical evidence, or DNA and interpreting the results in support of forensic investigations.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.