Crime Lab Technician - NIBIN

Date Opened: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 12:00 AM

Close Date: Friday, January 10, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Salary: $22.16 - $27.70 Commensurate with Experience

SUMMARY

The Crime Lab Technician (NIBIN) is a trained technical and administrative support position assigned to the Firearm Section of the CMPD Crime Lab. The Crime Lab Technician provides support for the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) program and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) Initiative by receiving and processing firearm related evidence, which may include screening discharged cartridge cases for IBIS entry, test firing recovered firearms, entering exhibits in the NIBIN database, and reviewing correlation results. This position requires the individual to work independently, performing complex duties including some clerical, administrative, and technical assignments in a laboratory setting. This position also requires the individual to exercise considerable initiative, independent judgment, and discretion in performing tasks involving detailed procedures and using complex instrumentation. Work is performed in accordance with ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) policies and under the general direction of the Firearm Section supervisor.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Receiving evidence transfers of firearms and related items from the Property and Evidence Division to the Firearm Section of the Crime Lab for processing.
• Maintains the workflow through the NIBIN process to include preserving an accurate chain of custody for evidence items by electronic transfer using the Property and Laboratory Information Management System (PLIMS).
• Ensures firearms and firearm related evidence are properly packaged and that the former are unloaded according to departmental directives and laboratory procedures.
• Screens evidence discharged cartridge cases for suitability and best representative sample for entry into the NIBIN database.
• Swabs appropriate areas of firearms and retains swabs for future DNA testing.  Properly documents the swabs as items of evidence in PLIMS.
• Documents pertinent firearm information in PLIMS.
• Test-fires firearms approved by the ATF for entry in the NIBIN database as necessary.  Properly documents the test-fired cartridges as items of evidence in PLIMS. 
• Consults with Firearm Examiners in instances where the safety of the firearm is in question or if there are other concerns about the evidence.
• Acquires images of discharged cartridge cases using the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) equipment following documented procedures.
• Enters all required case information and evidence identifiers into the NIBIN database.
• Correlates results of NIBIN database searches for possible associations.
• Reports database associations to the appropriate Firearm Examiner for approval to disseminate using the investigative lead process.
• Maintains safe conditions in the laboratory and conducts laboratory procedures in accordance with ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) standards.
• Completes other duties that will support the NIBIN process.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduation from High School with three (3) years of laboratory experience or an Associate Degree in Forensic Science, Biology, Chemistry or a related field with one (1) year of related experience.
• Must successfully complete ATF approved training for the triage, acquisition and correlation of fired evidence exhibits using the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) within six months of hire.
• Must submit to a mandatory criminal background check to ensure compliance with ATF’s NIBIN Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) technology MOU security requirements.
• Must be highly computer literate with very strong organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• May be required to work non-standard hours with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Forensic Science, Biology, Chemistry or a related field with previous laboratory experience.
• Knowledge of firearms of various types and prior experience handling firearms.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and quality assurance.

Minimum Qualifications

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not