Covert Crime Scene Co-ordinator

To co-ordinate the forensics investigation element of major and complex crimes, including any covert aspects, co-ordinating teams across multiple or complex crime scenes linking to a single case or a series of long running crimes or other proactive investigations.

Liaising with Crime Scene Managers, Senior Investigating officers and Specialists in the development of forensic strategies for each site and the investigation as a whole.

To ensure that individual investigations share information, learn lessons and make progress in the role that forensics plays in bringing offenders to court.

• Advise and collaborate with the lead investigator in the development of covert forensics investigative strategies for major and complex crimes or long running series of crimes to identify the best investigation strategy and gather the maximum amount of material to generate further lines of enquiry.
• Develop and define, taking account proportionality, legal and ethical parameters to ensure that a comprehensive covert crime scene(s) investigative strategy for serious and complex crimes, or long running series of crimes is developed.
• Communicate effectively the covert forensic investigation strategy to Covert Crime Scene Investigation Managers and details of any evidence and data collected from the scene(s) to oversee the wider covert forensic investigation, and to ensure all involved are well informed of developments.
• Co-ordinate the deployment of Covert Crime Scene Investigators to specific investigations based on the background of each Crime Scene Investigator and the investigation concerned to ensure evidence gathering is effective and to avoid cross contamination.
• Manage the storage, dissemination of covert records of activity and the restricted access to any exhibits or paperwork generated, ensuring all authorities are relevant and relate to the disclosure of sensitive covert forensic techniques in order to adhere to applicable legislation and national guidance.
• Support Covert Crime Scene Investigators and Managers by being a contact point to either provide professional advice and support or aid them in developing networking opportunities with others who have experience in dealing with particular scenarios to enable standards to be raised through the sharing of best practice.
• Maintain a register of contact details of appropriate organisations, lay people and professional consultants to provide a pool of resources to assist Crime Scene Investigators in their work.
• Act as an independent channel for Crime Scene Investigators’ debriefing to identify and disseminate good practice to improve the quality of forensic investigations in the future.
• Liaise with colleagues at a regional and national level to gather and share good practice that can be implemented within local force area as a means to continuously improve policing standards within forensics investigation.
• Hold budgetary responsibility and maintain financial autonomy for the forensic spends in relation to Major and Complex investigations to ensure value for money and to maximise evidence gathered at the scene(s).
• To uphold all applicable health and safety legislation and regulations to ensure the wellbeing, health and safety and welfare of all Forensic investigation staff at major and complex crime scenes.
• Engage with and implement departmental procedures in line with the requirements FSR Codes of Conduct and Practice to FSR Codes of Practice and Conduct and the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 17020/17025 standards to provide a quality service through accreditation.

Prior education and experience:      

• Completed level 2 and Level 3 W8 course or recognised equivalent.
• Extensive experience in working as part of major and complex crime investigations.
• Demonstrable experience of complex information gathering, problem-solving.
• A detailed understanding of the criminal justice system.
• Leadership development training.
• College of Policing Crime Scene Investigator Programme or equivalent recognised training.
• College of Policing Crime Scene Managers Development Programme or equivalent recognised training.
• Occupationally competent in the role of a Covert Crime Scene Investigator or Covert Crime Scene Manager.

Skills:

• Able to set out logical arguments clearly, adapting language, form and message to meet the needs of different people / audiences.
• Skilled in the use of use standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.
• Able to develop and motivate a team to create strong engagement with both personal and team objectives and with Force values, behaviours and strategic priorities.
• Able to manage the introduction of new business processes or ways of working at team level.
• Able to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes and mitigate risk.
• Able to review and assess individual and team performance against expected standards, providing objective and effective feedback and ensuring corrective actions are taken where necessary.
• Able to horizon scan to develop and implement high performance forensic strategies for serious and complex investigations.
• Able to manage relationships across multiple and diverse stakeholders, understand potential roles and to take appropriate steps to understand their needs and concerns.
• Able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of partners and potential opportunities for collaboration

• Keep up to date with new approaches to evidence based policing- within the forensics/ investigation field.
• Keep up to date with new technological approaches within the forensic investigation field including digital forensic options.
• Maintain a working knowledge of how technological advances might facilitate offenders in committing crimes.
• Complete all annual and mandatory training.
• Keep up to date with College of Policing National Guidance relevant to your core duties.
• Ongoing development of people management and welfare skills.

W8 Licence to ensure operationally deployable.

• Covert Crime Scene Investigator
• Covert Crime Scene Manager
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Crime Scene Manager
• Crime Scene Co-ordinator