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Job Title: Forensic Practitioner - Imaging

Salary: £37,744 to £42,631 plus a 12.5% Shift Disturbance Allowance and a Location allowance of £1,721. You will receive £37,744 the band minimum. Progress to the band maximum of £42,631 will be via incremental progression.

Location: Lambeth

(10-minute walk from both Vauxhall and London Waterloo stations.)

Forensic Services

As an integral part of the Metropolitan Police Service, Forensic Services contributes significantly to making London safer through a wide range of technical and scientific expertise in order to investigate, detect and reduce crimes. Forensic Services is the largest multi-faceted forensic organisation within Policing within England and Wales. We provide technical and scientific expertise in crime scene management and examination, specialist imaging, evidence recovery, exhibit analysis, fingerprint comparison and digital examination.

The Role

Specialist Imaging Forensic Practitioners undertake casework that has been submitted to the laboratory and deliver a bespoke imaging response at crime scenes, in support of investigations. This includes the searching and photographic retrieval of latent evidence (including post-mortems), utilising skills alongside Scientists and Forensic Practitioners within both DNA and non-DNA accredited laboratory environments in order to capture fingermarks, body fluids and other evidence.

Practitioners support the Imaging Consultant and Senior Forensic Practitioners to develop systems, procedures and staff within Specialist Imaging in order to support the objectives of Forensic Services and drive the unit towards excellence within the field of evidence recovery and high-quality imaging.

Successful applicants will build on their current professional photographic qualification and experience by undertaking a structured program of mentored training. Attention to detail, teamwork and the stamina for a physically demanding job are key for this role. You will be required to present evidence in court. The role holder will have to be resilient to deal with distressing incidents and attend mortuaries when required. Counselling and support will be available throughout your career.

The role requires shift working, a mix of early and late shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. In exchange, we offer a generous shift disturbance allowance. Please note driving is essential for this role.

Besides the rewarding nature of the job itself, a competitive salary and a Civil Service pension, you'll also benefit from excellent career and professional development. If you’re looking to progress, this is an outstanding opportunity.

This role will be subject to medical checks and security vetting.

Key Activities:

• Organise workloads and photographic deployments ensuring delivery of service to serious crime scenes across the Met.
• Undertake the searching and imaging of footwear marks and friction ridge detail in support of serious crime investigations.
• Imaging of other types of latent evidence such as Luminol, body fluids, fibres and hairs or concealed or erased writing in support of serious crime.
• Assist Scientists and Forensic Practitioners within both DNA and non-DNA laboratories in order to capture fingermarks, body fluids, gunshot residue and other evidence.
• Undertake high-speed imaging.
• Use video imaging.
• Capture injuries of victims in the studio using specialist lighting techniques.
• Utilise a number of bespoke elevated imaging platforms (including piloting, image recording or assisting in the deployment of a UAV (drone) in support of casework investigations).
• Capture and compile complicated immersive imaging evidence (within controlled environments and at crime scenes) and to produce interactive court presentations.
• Undertake the delivery of X-ray examinations within the lab and at crime scenes.
• Ensure image post-production is undertaken using the most appropriate enhancement techniques in an efficient and timely manner.
• Produce statements and take responsibility for imaging evidence and present expert evidence as required within the judicial process and attend case conferences as requested.
• Demonstrate effective visible safety leadership. 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.
• Expected to work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.
• Keep up to date with developments within imaging with a view to the constant development and improvement of the unit. To keep up with advances in technology or new working practices and attend courses, conferences and seminars as directed.

Please click on the below link to view an online candidate information pack that will you give you an insight into the Met, the competency framework we use which shapes our daily work behaviours, the application process and a host of other information, that will help inform and support your application:

https://sscl-innovation.com/MPScandidatepack/

Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement and online application form. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Completed applications must be submitted by 14th April 2023.

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.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer the Met have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Essential For The Role, e.g. qualifications, licenses, languages, training

Professional Qualifications

• A professional photographic qualification (BTEC, HND or higher)

Knowledge and Experience

• A broad photographic knowledge and practical experience in professional photography.
• Worked recently in a professional imaging environment for at least 12 months.

Skills

• To evaluate each assignment to maximise the retrieval of forensic evidence by providing a bespoke imaging response, sometimes operating in a high-pressure environment.
• An effective level of communication is required to facilitate casework within the imaging unit, liaising with other forensic specialists, Met managers and Police Officers.
• Be honest and demonstrate trust, integrity and reliability.
• Able to organise your own workloads, plan ahead and prioritise with the ability to multi-task, display initiative and commitment and have the confidence to make decisions.
• Apply common sense, knowledge and analytical decision-making skills to a variety of challenging forensic scenarios, problems and difficulties both at crime scenes and within laboratories / studios.
• Effective time management in order to meet investigative deadlines. Each assignment requires a bespoke imaging response and they will be expected to deal with new and novel situations.
• Sometimes work in a sensitive environment and must be able to ensure work is conducted in a confidential nature, abiding to policies set out by the Met when working with information marked above restricted.

Expectations and Working Conditions

• Must provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the Staff Elimination databases.
• Must agree to abide by the Forensic Regulator's Code of Practice and Conduct.
• Must pass a sight examination.
• Required to work a shift pattern (including weekends and Bank Holidays) to provide imaging support and this may also include out of hours working and participating in an on-call arrangement.
• Occasional requirements for staff to travel outside of the Met, sometimes overseas, in support of training or operational deployments.
• Must hold a full valid DVLA driving licence and will be expected to drive as part of their daily duties, in order to attend crime scenes within the Met and outside of London.
• Must be prepared to undergo advanced level vetting in order to support Secure Operations.
• Due to the nature of the work, you will be exposed to potentially distressing and unpleasant incidents, which at time will include the requirement to examine and record cadavers.

Additional Information

Applications will be via a detailed CV (2 pages max.), Personal Statement (700 words max.) Your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability for the role based on the outline criteria above. Use work-related examples where possible in the first instance, however, you may use examples from any aspect of your life, such as your educational experience or involvement in paid / unpaid / voluntary work, or from your personal experiences e.g. roles within committees or clubs.

Candidates successful at paper sift will be invited to interview which will include an assessed pre-interview exercise to test your photographic skills and knowledge. The interview will be assessed against the Competency and Values Framework elements listed below all at Level 2:

• We are collaborative
• We deliver, support and inspire
• We analyse critically
• We are innovative and open minded
• We are emotionally aware
• We take ownership.