Fingerprint Expert

**Job Title**: Fingerprint Expert
**Grade**: 6
**Salary**: £34,968 - £40,950
**Allowances**: 14% mid week shift allowence and 4.9% weekend allowence
**Location**: Ridgepoint House, Birmingham
**Closing Date**: 26/11/23
**Interview Date**: TBC

**About Us**
West Midlands Police is England’s second largest police force. Together we serve the 2.9 million people who call the region home - one of the youngest and most diverse populations in Europe.

The shared vision of our 12,500 officers, staff and volunteers is to be recognised as a police service that is big enough to cope with everything that is asked of us, while showing we are small enough to care about the things that really matter to people.

This vision is built on three strategic priorities:

- A service that works for local people
- Engaged communities
- Employer of choice

We will achieve each of these goals to enable us fulfil our mission of working in partnership, making communities safer.

These are the values which guide all of our actions and decision making:

- Service - we put people first
- Integrity - we always do the right thing
- Compassion - we see the person needing help
- Professionalism - we lead by good example
- Equality, Diversity and Human Rights - we treat everyone fairly

**About the role**:
The West Midlands Police Forensic Services Department is committed to delivering a consistent and high-quality service from a purpose-built facility just outside the city centre. Ridgepoint House contains all forensic disciplines from traditional to digital and strong relationships between teams exist. We have an opportunity within the Fingerprint Bureau to recruit a full time Fingerprint Expert.
The Fingerprint Bureau are looking for a committed, motivated and enthusiastic individual to fill the role of Fingerprint Expert.
Appreciating the Advanced Fingerprint Course is no longer in existence, we are looking for individuals who have either completed the Advanced Fingerprint Course and/or be capable of being signed off as a competent practitioner under ISO17025 to complete the final check for fingerprint identifications and produce fingerprint evidence on all crime types. This means that applicants need to have significant experience within fingerprint comparison and would have completed an Advanced course or equivalent. There is a requirement for applicants to pass a technical competency test as part of the selection process.
Applicants should be trained in the use of IDENT1 and ideally possess a practical knowledge of SOCRATES and quality standard ISO17025 and Forensic Regulators Statutory Codes.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- As a Fingerprint Expert you will be responsible for completing all forms of fingerprint searching, comparisons and identifications using both automated and manual processes for all crime types on a daily basis.
- To verify fingerprint identifications for scenes of crime marks and eliminations made by Fingerprint Officers and other Experts.
- To produce Streamlined Forensic Reports including full fingerprint evidence for identification and elimination purposes for presentation in Court.
- To assist in the development and training of Fingerprint Officers and Trainee Fingerprint Experts as Mentors and give advice, guidance and assistance when required.
- The successful applicant will offer expert specialist advice, interpretation and guidance to police colleagues CPS and other agencies when required.

A full driving licence is desirable.

**Vetting**:
**Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.**

**Medical**:
**Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.**

**Probation Policy**:
**"Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"