Forensic Scientist
5243
Job Title: Forensic Scientist
Salary: £33,498 to £38,195 plus £2,623 location allowance. If you are new to the MPS you will receive £33,498 the band minimum. Progress to the band maximum of £38,195 will be via incremental progression.
Location: Lambeth
This is an exciting time to be working as a Forensic Scientist for the Metropolitan Police Service. In addition to large-scale transformation, there's the unique and ever-evolving challenge of policing London. This means that as a Forensic Scientist, there are more opportunities for you to get involved with making London the safest global city in a time of unprecedented change within the UK's largest Police Service.
The Directorate of Forensic Services assists police officers with the investigation of crime and provides robust high quality forensic evidence for the criminal justice system.
The Secure DNA Operations Team (SDOT) sits within this Directorate and is responsible for ensuring the appropriate quality standards of DNA recovery are applied within the MPS and that forensic opportunities relating to all aspects of DNA recovery and interpretation are maximized. The team is responsible for educating officers and staff within the MPS on advances in DNA technology and responsible for overseeing DNA R&D projects. The team interpret and compare DNA profiles from crimes stains, attending court where necessary to present evidence. SDOT produces intelligence to the MPS on DNA matches and also undertakes case-reviews on DNA results provided by external Forensic Service Providers. Managing databases on behalf of both the MPS and national agencies is an important and growing requirement for the team, and recruitment for the Forensic Scientist posts will build additional capability for this remit within SDOT.
As a Forensic Scientist you will be primarily responsible for reporting intelligence matches and linked series to progress unsolved crimes.
There is a requirement for this role to support an on call Rota where requested (frequency of not more than one in six).
Please note these are not laboratory based roles.
Key Responsibilities
Your core duties will include:
- Identify and report DNA findings (including mixed and complex DNA profiles), conduct peer reviews and verify findings including statistical application in line with the UK Criminal Justice System and other regulatory bodies.
- Maintain and identify linked series from intelligence information stored on internal databases.
- Evaluate scientific findings and establish and implement additional DNA processes to a forensic examination strategy in order to identify additional areas of DNA submissions/ alternative analysis, which may further the investigation.
- Train and mentor other scientific staff, steering their knowledge acquisition within the field of DNA (in particular up-to-date methods of DNA collection, retention and submission).
- Deliver bespoke DNA training within the MPS and to external customers.
- Participate in quality assurance, competency trials and audits. Work within the Quality Management System to ensure all work practices with the unit are compliant with and maintain ISO 17025 accreditation.
- Assist with the development of current/new processes and procedures within the Quality Management System, as appropriate.
Please see attached information pack for additional information on the role
To apply, please visit our website to download a role specific information pack and click on the link to complete and submit the online application form. You will also be required to submit a detailed CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23.55pm on 7th October 2019
Failure to supply any relevant documents will result in your application being terminated.
We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we need a workforce made up from all of London’s communities. Applications from across the community are therefore essential.
Essential Criteria
- An excellent knowledge of forensic science
- Must hold a degree in a science subject
- Has worked as a reporting Forensic Scientist or a Laboratory Assistant Forensic Practitioner/Forensic Examiner for a minimum of three years
- A high level of communication skills
- Be adaptable and approachable
- Able to apply common sense, knowledge and analytical decision making skills to a variety of challenging forensic scenarios, problems and difficulties
- Able to operate effectively in a high pressure environment working closely to custody time limits, court dates and the dynamic and fluid environment that goes with examining major crime scenes and serious crime investigations
- Demonstrate independence, impartiality and conviction in their decisions
- Able to support an on call rota where requested (frequency of not more than one in six)
- Must supply a DNA sample and Fingerprints for elimination purposes.
- Will be required to undertake SC/MV vetting
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of reporting complex and/or volume crime cases
- Experience of delivering expert evidence at court
- Experience of research work
- A full DVLA driving licence
- Be competent (or working towards competency) in a wide range of examination types
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.