Job Title: Digital Forensic Specialist
Salary: The starting salary is £55,662, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.
The salary is broken down as £52,653 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £57,417. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: Lambeth
The MPS Digital Forensics (DF) unit is looking for four new Specialists to join the team. As a Digital Forensic Specialist within the Digital Devices team, your work will have a direct impact on criminal investigations, particularly through the forensic examination of mobile devices in support of the Criminal Justice System.
This is an opportunity to join a team of dedicated, talented and enthusiastic DF specialists, with a strong focus on mobile device forensics. You will undertake complex casework across a range of crime types, applying your analytical skills and technical expertise to acquire, extract and interpret data from smartphones, tablets and other mobile technologies.
We are particularly interested in individuals with experience or interest in mobile device examination, including mobile operating systems (iOS, Android), forensic tools and techniques, data recovery, and handling encrypted or damaged devices. Additional skills in areas such as software development, hardware engineering, complex repairs and reverse engineering will support the increasing complexity of mobile-focused digital investigations and help drive innovation and efficiency.
Working within the ISO 17025 quality framework, you will provide specialist knowledge and tactical advice across the organisation, delivering robust, evidential outputs suitable for court. You will be responsible for processing and interpreting mobile device data, producing clear, defensible forensic reports, and presenting technical evidence when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake digital forensic examinations, including research into novel methods, for the extraction and analysis of data from mobile devices.
- Manage complex and sensitive casework, applying advanced techniques to support serious, high-risk or technically challenging investigations, ensuring accurate interpretation and robust evidential outcomes.
- Produce high quality technical statements and reports
- Work in partnership with Directorate of Forensic Services and DF managers to develop and deliver change.
- Provide guidance, mentoring and support to DF Technicians and Assistants
- Attend court as a witness and be able to offer technical and expert evidence where required.
- Liaising with external tool vendors regarding updates and capabilities
- Manage a high and varied caseload, balancing priorities and deadlines
- Ensure compliance with quality management systems, working to ISO 17025 standards.
- To work within the Directorate’s Quality Management System and actively participate in the continuous improvement of the system by engaging in audits, competence tests, reporting non-conformances, etc. and suggesting changes to improve the system.
- Work individually and within a team to meet organisational objectives.
- Participate in the on-call rota*
*Digital Forensics operate a 24-7 on call service for urgent submissions. Out of hours submissions are between 1700 - 0800. If it has been decided (by a Digital Strategy Advisor) that the circumstances warrant an on-call submission, the team member on call would meet the OIC at the lab or on scene to complete the examination. DF Specialists are on call no more than 1 week in every 8.
Please Note
Successful candidates will need to provide a DNA and fingerprint elimination sample for Forensic Services' embargo database.
Digital Forensics will be introducing a 24/7 operating model as part of an investment and transformation plan to ensure the best service to support operational policing. These teams will work on a rotational shift pattern compromising early, late and night shifts, inclusive of weekends. All new staff are eligible to be placed on a shift rota subject to the relevant notice given, however in the first instance placements on these teams will be allocated to those who volunteer, any remaining places will be allocated by management and will also be subject to certain skills required to support out of hours services
This post does not currently fall within the structure of the 24/7 teams, however by applying for this role you understand that you could be placed on one of these 24/7 shift teams in the future should business need require it. This will be subject to consultation and a notice period.
How to apply
To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button “. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and Personal Statement.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 24/07/2026.
