Role: Digital Forensic Analyst

Department: Crime Services

Location: Ecclesfield, Sheffield

Salary: £28,914 - £37,020

Hours: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

In this role you will provide support to police investigations by securing and retrieving data from digital devices in accordance with national guidelines.

Key responsibilities:

Secure and retrieve evidence from a range of digital devices including mobile phones and computers in accordance with digital forensic unit (DFU) SOPs, ISO17025 Standards and Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Codes of practice, utilising a range of forensic software and techniques.
Process and analyse recovered data in line with DFU SOPs, ISO17025 standards, FSR Codes of practice and industry recognised forensics software and techniques.
Present findings and specialist interpretation of evidence obtained in a format easily understood by Investigating Officers, CPS and the Courts.
Attendance at Court to present findings and evidence in a clear and comprehensible manner.
Recording of contemporaneous notes of all actions taken during analysis and examinations in line with ACPO Principles, ISO17025 standards, FSR Codes of practice.
Achieve and maintain competency for accredited processes within DFU in line with the ISO17025 accreditation.
To mentor and support digital forensic technicians and where required other newly appointed staff members, including analysts, technicians, and admin staff.
Perform supervisory peer review/quality assurance on work undertaken by other analysts/technicians within the DFU.
Follow the career development plan, as outlined for the role.
Provide technical support for Officers attending the unit to view and where necessary, grade data extracted from digital devices.
Assist Officers as appropriate in the execution of search warrants and provide specialist advice and guidance on the correct methods of seizing and removing digital devices.
Give presentations and briefings as appropriate, in support of investigations, including providing practical advice and guidance to officers on matters relating to digital forensic Investigations.
As directed by senior digital forensic analysts or the DFU management team, research, test and where appropriate recommend the implementation of new products/techniques within the industry.
Under the direction of the ISO Quality Manager/Technical Manager, carry out any necessary tasks in support of ISO accreditation such as internal audits or assisting with method validation.
Support digital forensic projects and training, such as mobile phone kiosk implementation and digital forensic awareness to other units within the Force.
Develop and maintain specialised and up to date technical knowledge of digital forensic procedures, keeping abreast of developments within the industry.
Work closely with other departments to ensure effective knowledge sharing and assist officers in the creation of digital forensic examination strategies.
Conduct other associated tasks considered appropriate given the rapid changes in technology.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken by DFU, the successful candidate will require physical and emotional resilience to be able to deal with material of a distressing nature including child sexual abuse material on a regular basis. The successful candidate will be required to undergo regular compulsory OHU assessments.

Skills and experience:

QCF Level 6 (degree) relevant qualification or equivalent industry training.
Excellent understanding of IT hardware /software, including PC architecture, maintenance, operation, connectivity and builds and an awareness of relevant digital forensic guidelines and legislation, including ACPO, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, Principles of Human Rights, Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.
Understanding of the processes, procedures and best practice guidance underpinning the examination of digital devices and excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to present findings in a clear concise manner to Officers, Staff and the Courts.
An awareness of different digital device operating systems and be able to deal with material of a distressing nature and undergo regular compulsory OHU Assessments
An awareness of forensic hardware and software.
An awareness of ISO standards and the impact of these on Digital Forensic Investigations and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.

For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile.

What we offer:

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
Generous annual leave allowance
A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working
A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 (yhrn.police)
Membership to the Sports and Social Club
Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

Appearance & Standards:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

South Yorkshire Police’s overarching aim is to deliver an excellent police service to support safer communities. The public’s assessment of our excellence is influenced by the level of trust and confidence in us, as an organisation and as individuals. In comparison to the general public, police officers and police staff are held to a higher standards of behaviour and accountability. In applying to join the police, applicants are accepting of these higher standards and understand the implications on their right to privacy.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Smarter ways of Working:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.

There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.

This role has been evaluated as a fixed role.

Fixed: This is a traditional arrangement, applicable when the work is mostly required to be undertaken at a fixed single place of work (on police premises) for most of the time. The work can only or is more effectively delivered from a police premises or other agreed organisational/partner premises.

Contact details:

For further information about the role, please contact: Sophie Greenfield or James Goddard on 0114 2921707

Closing Date: 25^th March 2026

Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Recruitment Manager and the Line Manager for the role.

Candidate Information:

Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.

It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.

If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.

Documents to Review:

For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here

For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here

For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here

View our recruitment video:

https://youtu.be/2dGn5qti7_c

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