Casework and Report Writing

The analysis involves the examination of evidence for the presence of bodily fluids (e.g. blood, semen, and saliva). The analyst will then perform DNA testing to determine the donor of that particular body fluid or other biological evidence (hairs, epithelial cells, bone, organs, muscle etc.) submitted. This position is responsible for the analysis of evidence from all case types including officer involved shooting, cold cases, and highly-complex cases.

The Forensic Scientist III will perform casework with the highest degree of technical independence.

Serology testing will be performed using a combination of visual and chemical testing of a wide range of different evidence types. This testing will utilize a variety of presumptive and/or confirmatory tests. The analyst must also have knowledge of other current and historical tests serving a similar purpose.

Collateral Duties

This position will be assigned one or more collateral duties and/or perform advanced level tasks reserved for a Forensic Scientist II or III that are essential to ensure the daily operations of the Section are maintained.

The Forensic Scientist III will assist the Forensic Scientist Supervisor with their collateral duties, as assigned by the Laboratory’s Forensic Scientist Supervisor or Manager.

 Case File Review

This position is responsible for the review of their peer’s laboratory reports and supporting documentation to ensure they meet laboratory standards for quality assurance prior to issuance. It is the reviewer’s responsibility to ensure all relevant Laboratory and Section standard operating procedures  (SOPs) are followed. This position will review reports related to all case types including officer involved shooting, cold cases, and highly-complex cases.

Court Testimony and Communication

The Forensic Scientist must testify in state and federal courts as to his/her analysis of evidence.

The Forensic Scientist participates in competency and proficiency testing. The Forensic Scientist shall be required to obtain individual certification consistent with international and ISO standards within 18 months of the date the analyst becomes eligible to seek certification according to the standards of the certifying entity.

Due to Federal standards, each analyst that performs DNA analysis is required to have college course work or classes covering the subject areas of:

Genetics
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Statistics and/or population genetics

These requirements are in addition to having a bachelor’s degree and required years of experience in the appropriate discipline listed under the Education and Experience requirements.
 

• Selected candidate will undergo and must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation which may take several months to complete. The background investigation includes: credit and arrest checks; interviews with associates, personal and business references, past employers and neighbors; verification of education achievement, and urinalysis drug screening and polygraph.
• In accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 126-1.1( c), effective July 11, 2016, employees who are hired by a State agency, department or university in a sworn law enforcement position or forensic scientist position and who are required to complete a formal training program prior to assuming law enforcement or forensic scientist duties with the hiring agency, department or university shall become career State employees only after being employed by the agency, department or university for 24 continuous months .
• Employees who transfer into forensic scientist positions from other positions within N.C. State government and are currently Career State employees will be required to complete a probationary period of 24 additional months.
• In accordance with Section 17.5 of Senate Bill 402, The Department of Justice shall not hire sworn personnel to fill vacant positions in the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the termination of sworn personnel, but as vacant positions in the State Laboratory are filled, they shall be filled only with non sworn personnel. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect North Carolina State Crime Laboratory personnel who are sworn and employed by the Laboratory as of the effective date of this section and who continue to meet the sworn status retention standards mandated by the NC Criminal Justice Education and Standards Commission.