Join

Forensic Scientist 3 - Qualified Examiner

Philadelphia Police Department Office of Forensic Science, Philadelphia, PA, US

Responsibilities

This is forensic science work at the advanced performance level in the preservation, examination, handling, and comparative analysis of items of evidence collected in criminal investigations. Positions in this class are allocated to one of five specialties: Biology, Chemistry, Crime Scene, Digital Evidence, or Pattern Evidence. Positions allocated to the Pattern Evidence specialty are assigned to one of the following disciplines: Documents, Firearms/Toolmarks, or Latent Prints. An important aspect of the work is serving on interdisciplinary committees within the Office of Forensic Science of the Philadelphia Police Department. Work in this class differs from the next lower level in that the employee is expected to provide basic instruction to junior examiners and trainees and assist in the development of training materials while maintaining an active forensic caseload. As experience is gained, employees oversee small projects within the area of specialty. 

Work in each specialty includes examining evidence associated with crimes for presentation of laboratory findings in written reports and through expert testimony in criminal trials. An employee in this class is expected to work independently in the performance of these tasks. All work is performed in accordance with national and international quality assurance standards in the accredited Office of Forensic Science of the Philadelphia Police Department. Work is performed under the supervision of a higher level forensic scientist or technical superior. 

ALL SPECIALTIES 

  • Performs the duties of a qualified examiner in the assigned specialty/assignment at the advanced performance level.
  • Serves on interdisciplinary committees within the OFS.
  • Collaborates with other experts in the OFS to ensure that all integrated examinations across disciplines are performed when required.
  • May provide some interpretation of significance of findings during expert testimony on examinations in criminal trials.
  • Provides basic instruction to junior examiners and trainees and assists in the development of training materials, while maintaining an active forensic caseload.
  • As experience is gained, oversees small projects, research, or validation plans within the area of specialty.
  • Follows evidence control procedures to maintain chain-of-evidence integrity; insures evidence is locked securely in designated locker or space before and after analysis.
  • Operates computer consoles to analyze results of tests or to perform mathematical calculations involved in the analyses of evidence.
  • Maintains data records; prepares reports.
  • Communicates findings and conclusions with investigators and attorneys.
  • Maintains compliance with all quality assurances standards for forensic accreditation.
  • Checks instrumentation for validity and reliability against standards and recalibrates.
  • Participates in research projects by performing routine tests.
  • Provides training as needed and under the direction of a senior forensic scientist to forensic trainees, police staff, students, interns, or other members of the criminal justice community.
  • Provides presentations in the field of specialty.
  • Serves on interdisciplinary committees within the OFS
  • Performs related work a required.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: 

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major coursework in: 

SPECIALTY: DEGREES 

BIOLOGY: Any of the following degrees, which include at least 3 credits in EACH of the following courses: molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry: 

  1. CHEMISTRY
  2. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
  3. FORENSIC SCIENCE
  4. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
  5. RELATED SCIENCE DEGREE 

AND 

Candidates must also have, prior to appointment, successfully completed 3 coursework credits or have documented training/experience in population genetics or statistics, in accordance with FBI Quality Assurance Standards. 

CHEMISTRY: 

  1. CHEMISTRY 

OR 

Any of the following degrees with 24 semester hours in chemistry or biochemistry: 

  1.  BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
  2. FORENSIC SCIENCE
  3. PHYSICAL OR NATURAL SCIENCE
  4. APPLIED SCIENCE
  5. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 

PATTERN EVIDENCE: 

  1. CHEMISTRY
  2. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
  3. FORENSIC SCIENCE
  4. PHYSICAL OR NATURAL SCIENCE
  5. APPLIED SCIENCE
  6. ENGINEERING 

CRIME SCENE AND PATTERN EVIDENCE SPECIALTIES ONLY: Additional qualified experience as a Forensic Scientist or equivalent Forensic Examiner experience at the Office of Forensic Science or another accredited agency substitutes for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis. 

AND 

EXPERIENCE: 

ALL SPECIALTIES Three years of forensic science work, at least one year of which shall have been at the qualified examiner level, equivalent to a Forensic Scientist 2, in the preservation, examination, handling, and comparative analysis of items of evidence collected in criminal investigations in the assigned specialty/discipline.

Compensation

Salary $82,808.00 - $87,683.00

How to apply

Applications can only be submitted at the link provided during the period of September 1, 2025 thru September 21, 2025. Candidates must attach their transcripts for the degree and a copy of their qualified examiner certification with their application. For questions, contact David Ross at david.f.ross@phila.gov or call 215-686-0880 or 0885.

Apply

All applications are now being accepted for AAFS Membership! This includes new members and current members who are looking to promote or upgrade. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2025.