Lake County Crime Laboratory
235 Fairgrounds Road
Painesville, OH 44077
The Lake County Crime Laboratory is a full service ASCLD/LAB-International accredited forensic
laboratory located in Northeast Ohio, approximately twenty-five miles east of Cleveland, Ohio on the
southern shore of Lake Erie. Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland
Theater District (the second largest performing arts center in the U.S which includes the Cleveland
Play House, Opera Cleveland and the Great Lakes Theater Festival), the Great Lakes Science
Center, world class healthcare (with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation being the city’s largest
employer), the Cleveland Orchestra (often referred to as the finest orchestra in the U.S.), and two art
museums (Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art). There are also
numerous parks in the area, notably the Lake County Metroparks System, which offer trails for hiking
and snowshoeing, a mile long beach on Lake Erie, and boating and fishing. There are both major
and minor league sports teams located in the area.
The Lake County Crime Laboratory employs ten full time analysts, who conduct analyses in the
following disciplines: DNA, Latent Prints, Firearms, Trace, Toxicology, Controlled Substances, Digital
Evidence and Crime Scene Analysis. The DNA Section currently employs two full time analysts who
have their Ph.D. With the workload increasing because of the success of touch DNA, an additional
DNA Analyst is needed.
POSTION AVAILABLE:
DNA Analyst/Crime Scene Examiner
Job Duties:
Perform scientific examination and analysis of biological evidence collected in connection with a
crime. Testing may also include: screening for the presence of biological fluids using DNA analysis
Polymerase Chain Reaction/Short Tandem Repeat (PCR/STR) based methods. Provide testimony
regarding findings on behalf of the State of Ohio as an expert witness in felony criminal trials. Follow
all established protocols and procedures and conduct other tasks as deemed necessary by the
Laboratory Director. Additional duties may include conducting training seminars, validations, and
completing and presenting research and data at scientific conferences. This position
requires Crime Scene Duties, with on call assignments as needed, to process crime scenes for
blood, body fluids, and bloodstain pattern analysis.
Minimum Experience:
A minimum of three years of casework experience conducting DNA analysis in a forensic DNA
laboratory, including evidence screening, DNA extraction, quantification, PCR amplification of STR
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fragments, and instrumental analysis on either the ABI 310 Genetic Analyzer or ABI 3500 Analyzer.
Prefer an analyst with five years or more of forensic DNA Analysis experience, who meets all of the
qualifications required for DNA Technical Manager.
Required Skills:
Knowledge of forensic DNA principles, laboratory techniques and technology, Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR), Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, and capillary electrophoresis methods.
Knowledge of biological evidence collection and preservation techniques, rules of evidence, forensic
serology, basic human anatomy and physiology, and basic laboratory safety.
Computer literacy in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access and Power Point)
and familiarity with database applications and CODIS is preferred.
Minimum Education and Certification:
Graduate degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science or a related field of physical science
including successful completion of a minimum of twelve semester hours (or equivalent) of
coursework in Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Statistics or Population Genetics
is required. A Ph.D. in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science or a related field of physical science
is preferred.
Attendance at forensic meetings and workshops and annual membership fees for professional
forensic organizations are paid for by the employer.
Certification from the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) will be required within two years of
employment.
TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED PRIOR TO INTERVIEW; OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL
TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY JOB OFFER.
SALARY:
Commensurate With Experience
To apply for this position please forward your resume with a cover letter to:
Linda.Erdei@lakecountyohio.gov
Linda M. Erdei, M.S., Laboratory Director
Lake County Crime Laboratory
235 Fairgrounds Road
Painesville, OH 44077
440-350-2184
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