GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE:
Forensic Submissions Officer
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION/BRANCH:
Forensic Services Branch
SECTION/UNIT:
Forensic Sciences Unit
GRADE:
F
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Forensic Sciences Manager
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Administrative Assistants (for training, work
allocation and monitoring only).
AIM OF JOB:
To act as the centralised point of contact for
all personnel for any aspects of forensic
examination.
To control, maintain and develop an efficient
and effective centralised submissions
procedure for forensic evidence generated
from cases arising in the Force area and also
from other forces, as required.
Oversee the process of submitting any urgent
work to Forensic Service Providers.
To provide advice on forensic matters to
investigators, making authorisations based
on the viability, cost effectiveness and
evidential value of proposed submissions.
To manage and monitor the Forensic
Analytical Services Contracts on behalf of the
Force.
To oversee the receipt, recording, tracking
and storage of all Forensic Submission cases
submitted by the force and in some cases,
other forces.
Evaluate evidence and feedback from
officers, relating to service providers
To oversee the provision of efficient
administrative support within the unit.
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010
Keep an up-to-date database relating to all
Service Providers
Oversee the inputting of invoices, the
updating of the Force Forensic Budget and
requesting of credit notes.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SUBMISSIONS:

Oversee the input of records onto computer systems in respect of all forensic submission proposals received
from investigators throughout the force and from other forces, as necessary.

To act as primary authority in evaluating proposed submissions, making recommendations and providing a
signed authorisation. In all cases considering effectiveness, evidential value, cost effectiveness and
timeliness and where necessary staging submissions.

To act as the first point of contact in relation to the identification and specialist expertise as appropriate.

Provide primary contact between investigators and service providers.

Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the full range of forensic disciplines and procedures, including time-lines
and reasonable expectations of the value of the work provided by internal and external service providers.

Manage and monitor the forensic analytical services contracts on behalf of GMP, ensuring all contractual
requirements are met by both the Force and also the external Forensic Service Providers.

Have a good understanding of police procedure, and the requirements of the Crown Prosecution Service, with
particular focus on evidential standards and/or judicial requirements.

Represent GMP at local, regional and national level on forensic issues.

Prepare written reports on forensic matters for the Scientific Services Director and others, as appropriate.

Assist in the furtherance of forensic awareness and good practice throughout the Force, on occasions
preparing and providing inputs to groups of students attending training courses, inputs to police officers of all
rank, managers’ meetings, etc.

Ensuring force policies are followed in respect of the forensic processing of prisoners, obtaining the maximum
and most effective evidence for each case

To support the provision of efficient administrative support within the unit.

To maintain the security and confidentiality of all documents and computer records, including sensitive cases
(e.g. internal investigation), and ensure that disclosure complies with relevant legislation.
BUDGET:

To ensure the effective maintenance and development of computerised intelligence databases and indices in
order to produce accurate and up-to-date statistical information relating to the force forensic budget.

Oversee the inputting of work delivered and any credit note requests in order to reconcile actual spend
against budget.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To carry out audits and corrective actions in compliance with ISO procedures.
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010

To be responsible for consumable stock control.

To deal with, and respond to, issues of customer satisfaction.

To support the training of the Administrative Assistants and other relevant roles within the Forensic
Submissions Unit.

To maintain awareness of Force and departmental policies and procedures communicated in various forms
including, email, Force and Departmental orders, Force Intranet and written correspondence.

To ensure compliance with statutory requirements in relation to information management including the Data
Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Code of Practice on Management of Police
Information 2005, as appropriate

To comply with the requirements of GMP's policies on Drug and Alcohol testing –
requirements in respect of specific posts/ roles are described in the policies which are
available on the Force Intranet

To promote and comply with GMP's policies on equal opportunities and health and safety both in the delivery
of services and the treatment of others.

To be responsible for improving your performance by participating in the Performance Appraisal process with
your manager.

To carry out such other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post.
NOTES
This job description records the principal responsibilities of the job at the date shown. The job description will be
updated from time to time in conjunction with the post holders to reflect changes.
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010
LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
The Leadership Expectations is a framework, which describes the attributes, behaviours, and outcomes that are
demonstrated by successful leaders across GMP. They also describe what all our staff and officers need to
deliver in order to achieve the Force’s vision “to become the most effective police force in the UK”
The Leadership Expectations will be embedded in leadership training, recruitment and selection, police officer
promotion, development programmes and appraisal.
Our Leadership Expectations are:
Inspiring Others
Listening to, involving and motivating others to take action and behave with courage and integrity
Enabling Change and Improvement
Taking responsibility to solve problems, implement change and make improvements to our services
Developing Yourself and Others
Developing yourself and others to succeed and increase their contribution to GMP
Responsibility for/to the Team
Setting a clear direction and promoting teamwork to achieve high standards of professionalism and performance
in all situations however challenging
Working in Partnership
Working as one GMP team and with external partners to achieve results that benefit GMP and our communities
Demonstrating Respect and Compassion
Treating all our people, partners and communities with respect and compassion
Service Delivery
Delivering excellent policing services to the people of Greater Manchester
Leaders have been identified at four levels:




Peer
First
Middle
Senior
Forensic Submissions Officer has been identified as: A First Line Leader.
Please Note: As well as assessing candidates against criteria outlined in the Person Specification, the selection
process will also include candidate assessment of the leadership expectations.
For more information on our leadership expectations please visit our website:
www.gmp-recruitment.co.uk
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Forensic Submissions Officer
Forensic Services Branch
Short-Listing Criteria
Essential/
Desirable
(E/D)
Assessment of Criteria
(how the shortlisting
criteria will be assessed)
D
AF (C)
E
AF/I
D
AF/I/T
D
AF/I
E
AF/I/T
A working knowledge of computer applications
including spreadsheets and databases.
E
AF/I/T
A knowledge of the criminal law as it applies to
the scientific support field.
E
AF/I/T
Demonstrates the ability to produce clear,
concise written work.
E
AF/I/T
A wide-ranging awareness of forensic analysis,
procedures and practices.
D
AF/I/T
Has achieved a good attendance record.
E
AF (E)
Prepared to work abnormal hours where
necessary.
E
I
Qualifications/Education
Relevant academic/professional qualifications
such as science degree, Diploma in Scientific
Support Skills, Forensic Science Society Diploma
or National Vocational Qualification.
Experience
Experience of communicating at a variety of
levels within an organisation.
Conversant with all procedures used for the
development and enhancement of fingerprints
and footwear marks at crime sciences or in the
laboratory.
Experience working as a Crime Scene
Investigator, Volume CSI or as a Forensic
Scientist.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Detailed working knowledge of a forensic science
or scientific support discipline.
Other
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010
Full UK driving licence.
Vehicle owner.
E
A/F (E)
D
AF/I
Key
AF(E)
Eligibility (this will be checked at shortlisting by
the recruitment team)
AF
Application Form
C
Certificate
T
Test
I
Interview
Please note:
1) Candidates who do not demonstrate on the application form, criteria assessed at eligibility stage (E), may
not be considered for shortlisting.
2) Candidates who do not demonstrate on the application form, criteria identified as essential and being
assessed at application form (AF), may not be shortlisted.
3) All essential criteria will also be discussed in the Performance Appraisal.
4) The desirable criteria marked with an asterisk will be desirable at selection stage but will become
essential once in post and will be discussed in the Performance Appraisal.
5) A good attendance record would be no more than 16 days over a 2 year period from the date of
application, in accordance with force target. Consideration will be given to DDA related
absence/maternity related absence.
Forensic Submissions Officer
January 2010