3H44
POLICE ASSISTANT LABORATORY DIRECTOR

This is administrative and technical forensic laboratory work directing, through subordinate managers, the performance of a wide variety of physical, chemical, and biological tests of physical evidence. Work includes responsibility for directing the Quality Assurance Program for the Police laboratory.

Contacts with investigational personnel and technical oversight of scientific laboratory functions are of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the general direction of the Laboratory Director.

• The position must be responsible for all scientific testing and quality assurance programs for the forensic laboratory.
• The position must be located in the Police Department.
• Only one position will be allocated to this class.

• Plans, initiates, assigns, and directs through subordinates, the work of employees engaged in the physical, chemical, and biological testing and comparing of an extensive variety of materials including alcoholic beverages, narcotics, foods, firearms and ammunition, and in handwriting, typewriting, and document analysis to determine identification, chemical composition, and probable origins; supervises the collection of physical evidence at crime scenes; oversees the conducting of polygraph tests and the operation of the closed circuit television studio.
• Reviews reports of physical, chemical, and biological tests; analyzes, evaluates, and approves reports; interprets the findings of the more complex laboratory tests to law enforcement and other officials indicating the probability of crime or violations of city ordinances.
• Ensures thorough preparation of staff members for court appearances, or personally appears in court to testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases to present evidence brought out by laboratory test and examinations; ensures the preparation of or prepares photographs, exhibits, and other graphic presentations of evidence for use in court testimony; supervises the inventory, security, control and destruction of narcotics evidence; insures destruction of narcotics evidence is performed in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Develops and establishes policy for laboratory methodology and procedures; interprets legislation pertaining to evidence analysis, identification and control; plans laboratory methods and procedures for routine analysis of special investigations involving analytical research or adaptation of existing methods; plans and enforces safety regulations in the laboratory; plans, assembles, evaluates, and prepares technical reports; keeps abreast of developments in forensics and related fields.
• Trains laboratory personnel in the more complicated analysis processes and in the proper procedures to be employed in the use and care of a wide variety of laboratory equipment such as infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometer, liquid and gas chromatograph, x-rays, FT infrared, mass spectrometers, microscopes, refractometers, fluorometers, breathalyzers, and other specialized equipment; trains evidence technicians in the evaluation of evidence at crime scenes and in proper procedures for the collection, preservation, and submission of evidence.
• Directs the inspection of testing equipment to insure that it is maintained and in such condition as to insure the highest degree of accuracy in testing; prepares laboratory budgets, maintains records, requisitions supplies, and prepares related reports
• Provides in-service training to department personnel on the functions, capabilities and procedures of the police laboratory; confers with supervisors of other units to establish procedures and protocols for the use of laboratory services.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the standard practices, procedures, and techniques used in scientific crime detection
• the principles and practices of analytical chemistry with emphasis on quantitative and qualitative analysis of organic substances
• modern instrumentation techniques including spectrophotometry, chromatography, and spectrometry
• the administrative principles and practices involved in directing a criminal detection laboratory
• the sources of information and of the current literature in the field of criminal detection
• the quantitative and qualitative analysis of inorganic substances
• the rules of evidence and methods used in presenting evidence in court
ABILITY TO:
• devise new methods, techniques, and equipment to be used in a crime detection laboratory
• plan and direct the operations of a crime detection laboratory
• write scientifically-accurate and comprehensive reports of all work performed in the laboratory
• evaluate the reports of tests

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in chemistry or biology.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience supervising and participating in the analysis of chemical and biological specimens for crime detection purposes.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Two years of experience supervising, through subordinate laboratory supervisors, the analysis of physical evidence for crime detection purposes.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department, which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program in chemistry or biology, and the Specific Experience.

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