Careers

Vacancy: Senior Crime Stain DNA Reporting Scientist

Job Title:

Senior Crime Stain DNA Reporting Scientist

Summary of Job:

A forensic scientist with DNA specialisation and court experience as an expert witness. Responsible for high throughput reporting of NDNAD matches and DNA casework including mixture analysis.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to Forensic Hit Reporting Team Leader

Principal Accountabilities:

• Responsible for reporting NDNAD matches and DNA casework under the supervision of the Team Leader, ensuring that high quality standards, integrity, continuity and consistency are maintained at all times.
• Provide verbal and written testimony for cases reported.
• Present expert evidence in court.
• Peer check statements and reports prepared by other trained Hit Reporting Scientists.
• Aid Managers and Team Leaders through proactive continuous process improvement to maintain quality standards and decrease statement TRT’s.
• Liaise with police officers, the NDNAD and other forensic authorities regarding requests for statements, comparisons speculative searches and preliminary reviews.
• Assist in the maintenance and development of systems to monitor routine and urgent enquiries for all types of requests.
• Assist in the review and updating of Standard Operating Procedures used in DNA reporting procedures under the guidance of Team Leaders / Managers.
• Update NCR’s and complete corrective actions when appropriate in a timely manner.
• Assist in the development of sample / case tracking systems and the testing of new functionality.
• Perform basic administrative tasks related to dealing with enquiries and DNA reporting.
• Involvement in project work / case reviews as requested by Team Leaders / Managers.
• Maintain an up to date and complete technical knowledge of a DNA analysis processes and the NDNAD.
• Present relevant reporting information in weekly Forensic team meetings on the request of Team Leaders / Managers.
• Act in a supervisory capacity by scheduling workflows and mentoring junior members of staff in the absence of the Team Leader.

Subordinates:

None

Job Requirements:

Education:

• B.Sc. Degree in Biology, Genetics, Forensics or related subject.
• Accredited by CRFP an advantage.

Experience:

• Experience of interpreting and reporting the results of Forensic DNA STR analysis, including mixtures.
• Experience of producing and peer checking statements for NDNAD matches and DNA casework.
• Experience of presenting expert evidence in court

Technical Skills:

• Experience of word processing, spreadsheet and database packages – Word, Excel and other applications.
• Solid background in DNA forensics and in depth knowledge of the NDNAD Operations.
• In depth knowledge of present Forensic DNA STR profiling techniques and associated statistical evaluation.
• Proficient in the operation of Forensic DNA interpretation software (Genemapper). Experience of Genescan, Genotyper and Mac data analysis and advantage.
• Knowledge of the legal system as it pertains to forensic science.
• Laboratory examination of items for DNA evidence.

Non-Technical Skills:

• Ability to present technical data clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms.
• Highly ethically motivated
• Professional demeanor.

Physical Demands:

• This role requires good concentration, meticulous attention to detail, and accurate record keeping.
• Sitting
• Sedentary walking and standing
• Significant amounts of close vision VDU work

Working Conditions:

• A computer workstation in an air conditioned office.
• Moderate noise level.
• May be required to take work out of hours.

To apply email us your current CV with a covering letter.