Digital Forensic Video Specialist - Download and Data Recovery Team
16750
Job Title: Digital Forensic Video Specialist - Download and Data Recovery Team
Salary: The starting salary is £51,196, which includes allowances totalling £2,841.
The salary is broken down as £48,355 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £52,730. Plus, a location allowance of £1,841 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: The role is primarily based in Lambeth HQ, you may also on occasion be required to work from alternative locations dependent on operational need.
Bring video to life
London is home to almost nine million people across 32 boroughs. We use every possible means to keep them safe and bring criminals to justice, including evidential video. This is your chance to apply your forensic approach to its examination and production across a variety of video formats and content in our Forensic Digital Laboratory.
You’ll be part of a dedicated, talented and enthusiastic team of specialists. This is where you’ll assess and acquire proprietary video data formats, reverse engineer data structures to extract video/audio, produce code to carve or repair video from proprietary security file systems, and handle forensic analysis and recovery of damaged media such as optical discs.
The role will see you assess forensic submissions, liaising with officers and external suppliers to develop forensic strategies. You’ll also deliver presentations to large groups — including external agencies and conferences — troubleshoot problems, support technicians, attend court and give officers technical advice, so you’ll meet fresh challenges every day.
Adept in formats ranging from Cinefilm to Wifi camera devices, you’ll bring us good experience of analysing video at a byte level and using a variety of video data recovery techniques, plus some skills in a programming language. In addition, you’ll have a broad knowledge of the fundamental technical engineering principles behind digital video recording and reproduction, and of audio-video compression, encoding & transcoding techniques.
We operate on a rotational shift pattern compromising early, late and night shifts, inclusive of weekends. Approximately 20% of the overall staff in the Digital Forensics’ department support it., including all new roles, and these posts attract an additional 20% shift allowance plus weekend premium payments on top of salary.
You will need to provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the Embargo Staff Elimination databases, and sign up and adhere to the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct. You must also adhere to the MPS codes of conduct and security policies, and the Forensics Quality Management System. Lastly, you need to be aware that you may be exposed to distressing material and that there are OH checks available.
In return, you can look forward to benefits including substantial annual leave, Civil Service pension arrangements, interest free season ticket loans, flexible working conditions and more.
Job Role
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of dedicated, talented and enthusiastic Digital Forensic Video Specialists in the Forensic Video Laboratory. The role holder will have a good level of experience and skills in the acquisition, recovery and repair of video material from a multitude of formats ranging from Cinefilm to Wifi Camera devices. This will be used for intelligence and presentation within the Criminal Justice system. The Video Specialist must also possess skills and knowledge of data recovery and reverse engineering for forensic purposes. The Digital Forensic Video Specialist will produce technical statements, reports and work closely with police officers and staff to provide a professional, efficient and effective forensic provision to the Metropolitan Police Service, and external agencies.
Key Activities:
- Assessment and acquisition of proprietary video data formats.
- Reverse engineering of data structures in order to extract video/audio.
- Producing code to carve/repair video from proprietary video security file systems.
- Forensic analysis and recovery of damaged digital media such as optical discs.
- Assessment of forensic submissions, liaising with officers and external suppliers to develop forensic strategies whilst ensuring best value for money.
- Delivering presentations to large groups – including internal, external agencies and conferences.
- Troubleshoot technical problems under pressure and provide technical advice to officers in support of forensic submissions or investigations (e.g. from officers at scene, enquires into the menu of services, guidance around best practice etc.)
- Develop technical working practices in response to a rapidly changing technical environment.
- Line management and the support and mentoring of Digital Forensic Technicians (Band I) in the central laboratory and the hub network.
- Attend court as a technical/expert witness.
- Work within the Directorate’s Quality Management System and actively participate in the continuous improvement of the system by engaging in audits, competence tests, reporting non-conformances, etc. and suggesting changes to improve the system.
- To assist in the creation and development of Standard Operating Procedures, partake in the validation of methods, and complete staff competency and proficiency testing with the aim of achieving ISO17025 accreditation.
- Research and implementation of techniques to improve the Laboratory’s range of services, quality and efficiency.
- Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities.
- Attend internal and external meetings as Digital Forensic and / or MPS representative.
- Work with recruitment including writing adverts, sifting and interviews.
Expectations and Working Conditions:
- Understand forensic processes, handling of exhibits and case files.
- Must provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the Embargo Staff Elimination databases.
- Sign up and adhere to the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct.
- Adhere to the MPS codes of conduct and security policies, and the Forensics Quality Management System.
- Awareness that there may be exposure to distressing material and that there are OH checks available.
Additional Information:
Digital Forensics will be introducing a 24/7 operating model as part of an investment and transformation plan to ensure the best service to support operational policing. These teams will work on a rotational shift pattern compromising early, late and night shifts, inclusive of weekends. Approximately 20% of the overall staff in the Digital Forensics’ department will be required to support it. These posts attract an additional 20% shift allowance plus weekend premium payments on top of the salary advertised above. All new staff are eligible to be placed on a shift rota subject to the relevant notice given, however in the first instance placements on these teams will be allocated to those who volunteer, any remaining places will be allocated by management and will also be subject to certain skills required to support out of hours services
This post does not currently fall within the structure of the 24/7 teams, however by applying for this role you understand that you could be placed on one of these 24/7 shift teams should business need require it. This will be subject to consultation and notice period.
Next Steps
For successful candidates, the following Competency and Values Framework will be assessed during interview at level 2:
- We are emotionally aware
- We are collaborative
- We deliver, support and inspire
How to apply
Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV (no more than 2 pages) and an online application form.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 8th April 2024.
Knowledge:
- Good knowledge of fundamental technical engineering principles behind digital video recording and reproduction.
- Good knowledge of audio-video compression, encoding & transcoding techniques
- Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation for forensic video techniques and their application. This includes methods of optimised acquisition/recovery, conversion, production, image quality assessment and interpretation.
- Good knowledge of coding languages and application to video material.
- Good knowledge of data recovery principles and application to video material.
- Knowledge of, and interest in emerging technologies, trends and how they impact forensic video considerations.
- Awareness of image enhancement principles.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and its operation (including RIPA, Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and CPIA.
- Awareness of audio, computer and phone forensics techniques & their practical application.
Skills:
- Practical experience of a programming language (e.g. C#, C++, Python...) and an understanding of coding principles, particularly to processing data streams.
- Skills enabling thorough assessment and enhancement of material using a variety of techniques (i.e. this may include integration/restoration/presentation techniques).
- The ability to undertake a technical analysis of video recordings submitted in evidence and report on findings.
- The ability to communicate technical concepts and findings to a nontechnical audience.
- Understanding of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards and the presentation of evidence at court.
- Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
- Sound judgment and decision making.
- Ability to work as a team, as well as autonomously.
Essential Criteria
- A degree in a relevant technical discipline and/or significant relevant experience.
- Must have good experience analysing and transcoding digital video via FFMPEG.
- Must have good experience using data recovery software.
- Must have some experience using a programming language.
- Must be able to recognise video at the byte level in a hex viewer.
- Troubleshooting technical problems with a systematic and logical approach under pressure.
- Computer literacy – hardware and software.
- A strong appreciation of forensic quality standards.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts, verbally and in writing, to a non-technical audience.
- Appreciation of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards and the presentation of evidence at court.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight timescales and handle competing demands.
Desirable Criteria
- Some experience working in digital forensic video laboratory environment.
- Advanced video analysis and editing techniques are desirable.
- Experienced at reverse engineering data structures.
- Experience with analogue video systems.
- Experience with a range of CCTV systems and proprietary CCTV file formats.
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of analogue video recording and processing systems.
- Awareness of work carried out in other disciplines within the Directorate of Forensic Services.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and its operation (including RIPA, Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and CPIA.
Disability Confident Statement
The Met is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority groups and females.
As a Disability Confident employer, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. If you consider yourself to have access, workplace or reasonable adjustment requirements that need to be accommodated, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence and will not affect any recruitment decisions.
Read our full disability confidence statement.
This opportunity is closed to applications.