AddressJob Title: Digital Forensic Video Specialist- Court Compilation Production Team
Salary: The starting salary is £51,196, which includes allowances totalling £2,841.
The salary is broken down as £48,355 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £52,730. Plus, a location allowance of £1,841 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.
Location: The role is primarily based in Lambeth HQ, you may also on occasion be required to work from alternative locations dependant on operational need.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of dedicated, talented and enthusiastic Digital Forensic Video Specialists in the Forensic Video Laboratory. The role will require the Digital Forensic Video Specialist to have a good level of experience and skills in the acquisition, editing and production of video material from a multitude of different devices and formats. This will be used for presentation within the Criminal Justice system. The Video Specialist must also possess skills and knowledge in the analysis and enhancement of video/still imagery for forensic purposes. The Digital Forensic Video Specialist will produce technical statements, reports and work closely with police officers and staff to provide a professional, efficient and effective forensic provision to the Metropolitan Police Service, and external agencies.
Key Activities:
- Editing, enhancement, assessment and content analysis of evidential video recordings.
- Forensic analysis and recovery of digital video media.
- Assessment of forensic submissions, liaising with officers and external suppliers to develop forensic strategies whilst ensuring best value for money.
- Delivering presentations to large groups – including internal, external agencies and conferences.
- Troubleshoot technical problems under pressure and provide technical advice to officers in support of forensic submissions or investigations (e.g. from officers at scene, enquires into the menu of services, guidance around best practice etc.)
- Develop technical working practices and writing technical procedures.
- Line management and the support and mentoring of Digital Forensic Technicians (Band I) in the central laboratory and the hub network.
- Attend court as a technical/expert witness.
- 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.
- To assist in the creation and development of Standard Operating procedures, partake in the validation of methods, and complete staff competency and proficiency testing with the aim of achieving ISO17025 accreditation.
- Research and implementation of techniques to improve the Laboratory’s range of services, quality and efficiency.
- Write policy documentation and procedures to be incorporated into the quality management system.
- Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities.
- Attend internal and external meetings as Digital Forensic and / or MPS representative.
- Work with recruitment including writing adverts, sifting and interviews.
Expectations and working conditions:
- Understand forensic processes, handling of exhibits and case files.
- Must provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the Embargo Staff Elimination databases.
- Sign up and adhere to the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct.
- Adhere to the MPS codes of conduct and security policies, and the Forensics Quality Management System.
- Awareness that there may be exposure to distressing material and that there are OH checks available.
Additional Information:
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. Approximately 20% of the overall staff in the Digital Forensics’ department will be required to support it. These posts attract an additional 20% shift allowance plus weekend premium payments on top of the salary advertised above. 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 should business need require it. This will be subject to consultation and notice period.
The following Competency and Values Framework will be assessed during paper sift at level 2:
Max 800 words for each element. Please refer to the CVF document included in the application pack.
- We analyse critically – describe two current challenges in Digital Forensic Video, and the issues faced.
- We are innovative and open minded – provide an example/s of a situation where you solved a technical problem in a creative or novel way.
- We take ownership – provide an example/s of a time where you have contributed positive change through developing a new policy, procedure, process or training course.
The following Competency and Values Framework will be assessed during interview at level 2:
- We are emotionally aware
- We are collaborative
- We deliver, support and inspire
In addition there will be a number technical questions relating to the role.
Please provide a CV (no more than 2 pages)
How to apply
Please click on the below link to view an online candidate information pack that will you give you an insight into the Met, the competency framework we use which shapes our daily work behaviours, the application process, and a host of other information, that will help inform and support your application:
https://sscl-innovation.com/MPScandidatepack/
Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV and a online application form.
Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 15th March 2024.
Essential For The Role, e.g. qualifications, licenses, languages, training
Knowledge:
- Good knowledge of fundamental technical engineering principles behind digital video recording and reproduction.
- Good knowledge of audio-video compression, encoding & transcoding techniques
- Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation for Forensic Video techniques and their application. This includes methods of optimised acquisition/recovery, conversion, production, image quality assessment and interpretation.
- Good knowledge of image enhancement principles.
- Knowledge of, and interest in emerging technologies, trends and how they impact Forensic Video considerations.
- Awareness of data recovery principles and application to video material.
- Awareness of coding languages and application to video material.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and its operation (including RIPA, Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and CPIA.
- Awareness of audio, computer and phone forensics techniques & their practical application.
Skills:
- Must have good video editing skills, including ability to apply key-framing techniques effectively. This includes being able to add annotations and redact video material when necessary, to a high standard.
- Skills enabling thorough assessment and enhancement of material using a variety of techniques (i.e. this may include integration/restoration/presentation techniques).
- The ability to undertake a technical analysis of video recordings submitted in evidence and report on findings.
- The ability to communicate technical concepts and findings to a nontechnical audience.
- Understanding of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards and the presentation of evidence at court.
- Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
- Sound judgment and decision making.
- Ability to work as a team, as well as autonomously.
Essential criteria:
- A degree in a relevant technical discipline and/or significant relevant experience.
- Must have good experience analysing video and an editing post-production workflow.
- Must have good experience using a variety of video editing tools.
- Must have some experience using video/image enhancement tools.
- Troubleshooting technical problems with a systematic and logical approach under pressure
- Computer literacy.
- A strong appreciation of forensic quality standards.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts, verbally and in writing, to a non-technical audience.
- Appreciation of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards and the presentation of evidence at court.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight timescales and handle competing demands.
Desirable Criteria:
- Some experience working in Digital Forensic Video laboratory environment.
- Advanced video analysis and editing techniques are desirable.
- Experienced user of Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects & Photoshop.
- Experienced user of Amped Five and Amped Authenticate.
- Experience with a range of CCTV systems and proprietary CCTV file formats
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of analogue video recording and processing systems.
- Awareness of work carried out in other disciplines within the Directorate of Forensic Services.
- Awareness of relevant legislation and its operation (including RIPA, Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and CPIA.
