Basic Purpose
Positions within this job family perform and/or manage forensic analysis of digital evidence from criminal investigations.
Typical Functions
- Strictly adheres to validated and internationally accepted scientific principles, methods, and quality assurance/quality control; follows safety and health procedures; examines and analyzes various types of forensic evidence from criminal cases and accurately interprets the results; generates complete, accurate documentation and files of all forensic analysis performed; prepares examination reports for use by law enforcement entities and criminal justice members; enters/searches evidence profiles/patterns in forensic databases.
- Processes and interprets electronic devices in the field; recognizes, documents, collects, packages, and transports digital evidence to a forensic laboratory for analysis, ensuring the integrity of the evidence is protected. Utilizes programs such as Cellebrite, Graykey, and Guardian to extract, download, and analyze digital evidence.
- Complies with subpoenas, discovery orders, and other orders of the court; testifies as an expert in court and/or administrative hearings concerning the results of forensic examinations of digital evidence and prepares court exhibits as necessary.
- Actively reviews and assesses publications and directives being introduced at the federal level to determine impacts on state and local laboratories and practices; seeks membership on federal boards and organizations to influence direction of forensics; researches scientific/technical literature and forensic methods; attends training to maintain current knowledge and skills; develops/validates new or improved techniques/instrumentation for use in the forensic analysis of digital evidence; writes, reviews, and updates technical protocols, quality assurance policy/procedures, and operational policies/procedures.
- Identifies grant programs that can provide needed funding to the laboratory; actively participates in writing grant applications and producing regularly scheduled grant reports to federal and state grant administrators to prove compliance with stringent grant program requirements; develops and closely monitors grant budgets when grants have been awarded.
- Provides training to analysts, agents, law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges; represents the agency at committees, meetings, boards, and professional organizations; makes presentations to civic, educational, professional, law enforcement and other interested groups.
- Monitors proposed legislation to evaluate its impact on the digital forensic community; writes new legislation or modifies existing legislation when needed to improve the field of digital forensics in Oklahoma; educates law makers about proposed legislation and occasionally testifies before legislative bodies to explain legislative changes that are needed.
- Performs administrative and/or technical review of digital forensic work; performs internal quality audits/inspections of units, regions, disciplines, and extraction/download functions; ensures technical compliance, quality, and uniformity; understands and complies with standards required for the agency to maintain CALEA accreditation and state and federal standards regulating the analysis of digital evidence.
- Develops and maintains effective professional communications and working relationships with peers, co-workers, supervisors, administrators, law enforcement officers, medical examiners, forensic professionals, prosecutors, defense attorneys, educators, and professional organizations; advises, educates and assists investigators and prosecutors in furthering criminal investigations and in preparing cases for trial by providing guidance on appropriate laboratory testing, and on the meaning, significance and applicability of the results of forensic analysis.
Level Descriptor
This is the entry level where incumbents train to perform forensic analysis, and perform some limited supervised casework. All aspects of assigned tasks are clearly defined and all work is technically and administratively reviewed during performance and upon completion. At this level, incumbents may accompany senior analysts to crime scenes and perform tasks under direct supervision. Incumbents do not have supervisory, research and development, or training responsibilities.
Education And Experience
- Education and Experience required is a minimum of a bachelor’s degree related to digital forensics from an accredited college or university.
- They must currently possess a Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO) certification, and Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA) certification.
- Preference to applicants with a certification by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialist (IACIS) as a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner, and familiarity with Graykey.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Competencies
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the assigned field of work (forensic science, criminalistics, criminal justice, digital evidence, or document examination); of basic scientific principles; of methods used in forensic analysis; of grammar, punctuation, English usage, and spelling; and of math. Ability is required to prepare evidence and exhibits for court; to effectively testify in court or administrative hearings; to organize and present facts and opinions clearly; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Special Requirements
Selected Applicants must pass a rigid character and background investigation, a polygraph examination and drug screen.
- Core competences such as self-motivation, high integrity, professionalism, and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license.
- Applicants must be able to successfully complete any necessary training and certification required by the agency, be able to be called back to work at irregular times, be willing and able to work overtime when required, and be willing and able to travel frequently and be in travel status for extended periods of time.
