Fingerprint Laboratory Officer - Forensic (Secondment/Fixed Term Contract)
Secondment/Fixed Term Contract until 1st March 2027.
Salary: Linked grade: Entry Level – Band 3F, starting salary circa £31,245 per annum, plus 12.5% shift allowance, plus on call (plus benefits). Advanced Level – Band 3G, starting salary circa £35,241 per annum, plus 12.5% shift allowance, plus on call (plus benefits).
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Forensic Investigation Unit (FIU) as a Fingerprint Laboratory Officer in our Chemical Enhancement Laboratory based in Kidlington in Oxfordshire (eventually moving to our new Forensic Centre in Bicester, Oxfordshire in Spring/Summer of 2026).
In this integral role, you will provide an effective Fingermark Visualisation Service, carrying out forensic examinations, utilising specialist treatments and visualisation techniques to reveal, enhance and recover fingermarks to provide an efficient, timely and high quality service that supports the investigation process.
At Entry Level (3F), successful candidates will have good communication skills and an ability to report on and explain their professional findings both written and verbally. They will also possess good analytical skills being able to examine and record fine detail whilst applying a methodical approach and supporting quality standards.
At Advanced Level (3G), the ideal candidate will have recent and relevant experience as a Fingerprint Laboratory Officer, with demonstrable competence in undertaking the full end to end process and making decisions on case strategies and treatment pathways. You will also have experience in training and/or tutoring less experienced staff, with an ability to conduct competency assessments of others.
Post holders will be expected to undertake the occupational health and psychological screening programs. As with all roles within FIU, the post holder will also be required to provide fingerprints and DNA samples for elimination purposes.
Capability to travel across the Force is required in order to undertake assignments in a timely manner and work flexibly. Due to unsocial hours and personal safety for lone working public transport may not be suitable. For this reason a full driving licence is considered essential.
If you are a permanent member of staff applying for this role, please note it will be offered on a secondment basis. Important: All secondments must be supported in writing by your Line Manager and Head of Department/Commander or Deputy. Please attach written approval from your line manager and Head of Department in your application. If the secondment is not supported then the role may be offered on a fixed term contract basis, but this has implications including loss of continuous service protections.
Please note: Shift allowance, on-call or other job related allowances from the previous role will not be protected unless they are attached to the new role for the duration of the secondment.
As part of the Thames Valley Police family you will enjoy a fantastic range of benefits including 24 days annual leave per annum, pro-rata for part time (plus Bank Holidays), flexible working conditions, a wide range of lifestyle discounts, career development opportunities and have the option to join a local government pension scheme. For more information on our benefits, please visit the supporting you page, via the link at the bottom of the advert.
To apply for this post please attach a cover letter of no more than one page and a CV of no more than 2 pages. NOTE: CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter or if the CV is more than 2 pages long.
If you have any queries please contact the Recruitment Team at RecruitmentPoliceStaff@thamesvalley.police.uk quoting reference 23162. We will endeavour to respond to your query as quickly as possible.
The closing date for enquiries and receipt of completed applications is Sunday 25th January 2026.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) is making a significant, multi-year investment in our Forensic Services and is transforming our wide array of forensic disciplines to create a forward-looking, accredited service which delivers proportionate, timely outcomes that support effective crime investigation for TVP and other external organisations. Our investment includes developing our people, making best use of technology and creating a Centre of Excellence for the future:
New state-of-the-art forensics centre planned for Thames Valley – TVP Careers
Find out more about TVP Forensics here.
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