Career Paths: Forensic Science
FORENSIC SCIENCE
MANAGEMENT
Director
Manager
SUPERVISION
Forensic Scientist
Supervisor
FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Scientist II
Forensic Scientist I
Forensic Quality Control
Specialist
Forensic Laboratory Technician
WORK GROUP EXAMPLES
Denver Police Department – Crime Laboratory
The Denver Crime Laboratory strives to aid victims through criminal investigations. The Denver Crime Lab is comprised
of nine units including the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, the Forensic Chemistry Unit, the Trace Evidence Unit, the
Firearms/Toolmarks Unit, the Latent Print Unit, the Photography Lab, the Forensic Biology/DNA Section, the Quality
Assurance Unit, and the Crime Scene Volunteer Unit.
FORENSIC LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (617-E): Performs intermediate level technical work to prepare and/or analyze
non-probative forensic-type samples in support of forensic research, training, and validation projects, and performs quality
control or quality assurance checks on laboratory instruments and reagents to support forensic casework duties.
Education: Associate’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field.
Experience: Two years of experience working in a lab.
FORENSIC QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST (810 A): Performs specialized full performance work directing and
administering the quality control, assurance, and improvement program and technical operations for the Police Crime
Laboratory.
Education: Bachelor’ Degree.
Experience: Three years of professional experience reviewing organizational policies, procedures, goals, and objectives
and formulating recommendations for improvements which must included one year of experience in an accredited crime
laboratory or International Organization of Standards (ISO) accredited laboratory system experience.
FORENSIC SCIENTIST I (809-E): Performs entry level professional forensic work while receiving on-the-job training in
the methods, practices, procedures, and equipment of forensic science by applying physical sciences to the investigation
of crimes and conducting scientific laboratory analyses on physical evidence.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
Experience: None
City and County of Denver | Office of Human Resources
Est. 10/1/2010, Rev. 8/27/13
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Career Paths: Forensic Science
FORENSIC SCIENTIST II (812-E): Performs full performance level forensic work including applying the physical sciences
to the investigation of crimes, conducting scientific laboratory analyses on physical evidence, providing scientific
consultation, and testifying as expert witness in counts of law.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
Experience: Three years of professional criminalist and forensic analysis experience in toxicology, forensic biology/DNA,
drug chemistry, trace-evidence, or other forensic discipline including a demonstrated competence in using job specific
analytical instrumentation.
FORENSIC SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR (815-E): Performs professional and supervisory work over Forensic Scientists
including planning, directing performance criteria for laboratory operations, and reviewing analytical casework and quality
assurance/control program.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, or a directly related natural science.
Positions in the DNA discipline require a Master’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a closely related
field and successful completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate course work in
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology (molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology), statistics, and other
subjects which provide a basic knowledge of forensic DNA analysis as well as statistics and/or population genetics as it
applies to forensic DNA analysis.
Experience: Three years of full performance professional criminalist and forensic analysis experience in toxicology,
serology, drug chemistry, trace evidence, or other forensic discipline including a demonstrated competence in qualitative
analysis and responsibility for quality assurance.
MANAGER (817-E): Manages functional and/or operational area(s) that include implementing work plans based on
annual goals and the strategic plan; resolves citizen, operational, and management issues; and achieves goals while
ensuring resources are utilized appropriately.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience: Three years of supervisory experience or three years of experience at an Administrator level.
DIRECTOR (819-E): Directs functional and/or operational areas that include developing annual and multi-year work plans
and strategies; ensures resources are available to achieve work plans; resolves complex business issues; and
establishes management practices and processes that ensure the accomplishment of performance standards.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience: Five years of experience at the type and level of Manager.
City and County of Denver | Office of Human Resources
Est. 10/1/2010, Rev. 8/27/13
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