Trainee Fingerprint Expert

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.

The Fingerprint Bureau are looking for a committed, motivated, and enthusiastic individual to fill the role of Trainee Fingerprint Expert.

The successful candidate must demonstrate a methodical and accurate approach to analytical work and be able to follow standard operating procedures (SOP’s) to ensure the continuity and integrity of exhibits and compliance with ISO17025 and the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct.

The position requires the individual to possess a good eye for detail, be able to concentrate for long periods of time and have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills. The applicant must also be able to work well as part of a team and on their own in order to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders and must be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbally.

Key responsibilities

The post-holder will process fingerprint forms received in the West Midlands Police Fingerprint Bureau (WMPFB) utilising Livescan, Ident1 and physical receipt,
They will in line with the WMPFB Quality Management System (QMS) guarantee the integrity and traceability of all fingerprint exhibits received from the Crime Scene Coordinators (CSC), Forensic Scene Investigators (FSI) and Fingerprint Development Laboratory (FDL).
They will complete all administration duties required of their role in line with the QMS of the WMPFB
They will undertake both internal and external training courses in order to perform the analysis, comparison and identification of crime scene impressions for both manual mark comparison and Ident1.
In this role in addition to all Fingerprint Officer duties the post holder will progress through all required mentoring, training, development and assessment to achieve the qualification of a Fingerprint Expert.
To accurately process all fingerprint forms received in the WMPFB in all formats including both Livescan and physical receipt.
To perform receipt and guarantee both traceability and integrity of all fingerprint exhibits received from crime scenes in the WMPFB
To maintain the filing systems for both fingerprint forms and case files held within the WMPFB
To interrogate all relevant force systems required and update the WMPFB case management system.
To interrogate the Police National Computer (PNC) and any other relevant force systems.
To assist in the taking of Biometric samples of both police recruits and police staff and also maintain the relevant records and databases in regard to both recruits and leavers.
To support the West Midlands Police Counter Terrorism Forensic Management Team by offering TACT Expert technical advice in the taking of fingerprints from persons they have in custody.
To undertake all relevant internal and external training required in order to competently perform this role.
To undertake all training in preparation for the Advanced Fingerprint Course or equivalent including court assessment training, statement preparation and the importance of effective peer review processes.
To complete both an attachment to FSI and FDL for the purpose of training and development
To assist Fingerprint Experts in the preparation of court evidence when required.

Knowledge and skills
Essential

Hold either a Forensic qualification or a further education qualification.
Must be willing and capable of attending and passing all required internal and external training courses including the Advanced Fingerprint course or equivalent.
Proven attention to detail and accuracy and ability to concentrate for long periods and work with minimum supervision
Demonstrate the ability to adhere to strict deadlines
Demonstrate the ability to adhere to set processes and procedures
Must possess good interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality and impartiality, applying discretion at all times.
Computer skills and experience of using Microsoft Office and other Windows based packages.
Excellent presentation and report writing skills
Demonstrate a practical approach to problem solving and a willingness to accept responsibility.
Demonstrate an ability to pro-actively develop initiatives within the scope of the role to enhance service delivery.

Desirable

PNC Trained
Attended and passed NAFIS (National Automated Fingerprint Identification System) training in full Tenprint functionality and carried out Tenprint work within a Fingerprint Bureau.
Awareness of fingerprint patterns and Tenprint comparison techniques
An ability to compare Tenprint images manually or on NAFIS
Knowledge of ISO17025, ILAC G19, LAB13 & the Forensic Science Regulators Statutory Codes of Practice
Hold a full driving licence

Extra information

This is a full-time post, any requests for part time work will not be considered if they fall below the minimum 30hrs per week threshold required
The post holder will be required to attend relevant courses at the nominated training centre.
Alternating shifts are worked Monday to Friday covering 06:00– 22:00.
The post holder will be required to work one weekend in four, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00
All Bank Holidays will be covered 06:00 -22:00
Appropriate shift allowances are payable.
An aptitude test will form part of the interview process.

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Hours: The post holder will be required to work core service hours..

Location: Ridgepoint House, Birmingham.

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.

Interviews: TBD

Contact: For further information about this role please contact Paul Smith, Fingerprint Bureau Technical Manager, Elaine Jenks, Fingerprint Bureau Manager or Mick Killeen, Identification Manager by email.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

“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”

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

- Fair remuneration with progression opportunities, and access to a very competitive pension scheme

- Enhanced annual leave in additional to public holiday entitlements

- Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities

- A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs