Crime scene photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Crime scene photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Crime scene photographer key duties/responsibilities, Crime scene photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Crime scene photographer duties:

1. Report scientific findings in the form of a written forensic laboratory report based on the interpretation of observations and analytical test results.
2. Testify in court as a qualified forensic expert witness.
3. Responsible for quality assurance processes as mandated by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB).
4. Assist staff in preparation for audits and inspections, and participate in training events where forensic topics are presented to customer agencies.
5. Demonstrate the importance and mechanics of evidence chain of custody to ensure that the evidence collected from the crime scene is the same evidence that is later presented at trial.
6. Coordinating with Program Directors to maintain core curriculum at the campus level
7. Overseeing delivery of core curriculum at the campus level
8. Preparing course plans and materials
9. Delivering courses
10. Monitoring progress/attendance
11. Advising students
12. Recording grades and submitting reports

II. List of Crime scene photographer qualifications

1. Laws of arrest and pertinent local and State laws and ordinances.
2. Safe use and care of firearms.
3. Basic English grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation, and report writing techniques.
4. Basic mathematics.
5. Principles of crime prevention and suppression.
6. Effective communication and public speaking techniques.
7. Problem solving techniques.
8. Effective interpersonal relations.
9. Computer use and software applications.
10. Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and reach sound conclusions.
11. Analyze situations and adopt a reasonable course of action.
12. Observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places, and judge situations and persons accurately.
13. Use and operate a computer and standard equipment used in the department.
14. Operate portable radar equipment.
15. Follow verbal and written directions.
16. Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
17. Write accurate reports.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.