Forensic Collision Investigator

ONLY current Police Officer are invited to apply
We are looking for Police Officers to join our team 'Forensic Collision Investigation'- a dedicated team of both staff and officers. This is a really challenging role which requires a commitment to learning and study to obtain the necessary qualifications. Do you hold qualifications in maths and physics with some theoretical and practical knowledge of the motor vehicle industry? If so then you are just the person we are looking for to join our team to provide expert assistance to fatal, life threatening road traffic collisions.
Specific Role Purpose:
To provide expert assistance at the scene of fatal, life-threatening road traffic collisions and other serious incidents to support the force with an expert-status Forensic Collision Investigation Service. To provide a full technical examination on any type of vehicle. To produce technical reports on findings and present your evidence as an Expert Witness in Court including Crown, Coroners and Civil Courts.
Key Responsibilities:

• Engage with and implement departmental procedures in line with the requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct and the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 17020 & 17025 standards to provide a quality service through accreditation.
• Ensure compliance with Criminal and Civil Procedure rules to adhere to your expert witness status.
• Fully evaluate collision scenes and develop an evidence recovery strategy that meets the investigative requirements, identifying relevant forensic evidence and topography using a full range of collision investigative techniques to accurately record and recover the relevant items and information.
• Record and map the scene of fatal and some life-threatening road traffic collisions using a variety of methods and equipment to prepare evidential scale plans and other visual representations.
• Conduct examinations of a range of vehicle types as part of the investigation to determine evidence of primary or contributory causation.
• Attend non-police premises and other locations where directed to examine vehicles.
• Ensure the thorough and meticulous collection, preservation and interpretation of the scene and other evidence, including vehicle defects and telematics data, to report on the circumstances of the collision.
• Produce Forensic reconstruction reports by applying correct scientific principles and ensuring conclusions reached are valid and supported by the available evidence.
• Provide expert evidence and opinion to the Courts, whilst ensuring that at all times you remain within your competence and expertise, in order to provide a professional and unbiased account.
• Identify if additional resources and/or specialist knowledge is required to assist with the forensic examination and/or reconstruction should the level of expertise required exceed your own in order to inform your investigation.
• Assist other team members with investigations and peer review findings to ensure the accuracy and quality of evidence is maintained.
• Achieve and maintain competence in accordance with ISO and regulatory standards and evidence through continued professional development.
• Support all aspects of ISO accreditation including competency testing, method validation, equipment validation and auditing as required.
• Achieve a CertHE in Forensic Collision Investigation through a structured programme in the timelines provided by your line manager and training provider.
• Due to the nature of the role, must provide biometric samples (fingerprints and DNA) as required to ensure on going inclusion on the relevant elimination databases for policing purposes.

Qualifications
Essential :
• Hold an A level minimum grade C (or equivalent) in Maths and Physics.
• Hold a GCSE minimum grade C (or equivalent) in English.
• Achieve a CertHE in Forensic Collision Investigation within the time lines set by your line manager.
• Hold a minimum of a Full UK driving licence Category B.
• Achieve vocational licences as directed by your line manager.
• Achieve a Standard Grade Police Driving Grade
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of motor vehicle technology.
• Achieve relevant qualifications in vehicle examination as directed by your line manager.
• Have working knowledge of Microsoft Office systems including Word and Excel software to produce concise technical reports, calculations and other documents.
• Willingness and ability to work in physically challenging environments e.g. walking long distances or over uneven ground, carrying awkward or heavy items over protracted periods of time. Varying light levels, inclement weather conditions and exposure to potentially hazardous substances including but not limited to fuels, chemicals, bodily fluids and bodies.
• Undertake all training (some of which will be residential) as directed by your line manager.
Desirable:
• Sound Forensic Collision investigation experience
• City and Guilds in Forensic Collision Investigation
• UCPD in Forensic Collision Investigation
• Cert HE in Forensic Collision Investigation
• Experience of maintaining and testing a wide range of electrical and mechanical systems.
• Educated to Level 4 City & Guilds or BTEC/HND/HNC equivalent in vehicle mechanics.
• Experience in working to ISO 17020 and or 17025
• Experience in preparing reports to a high level.
Skills
Essential:
• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups, and communities such as Coroner's, CPS Barristers, defence experts, IOPC and HSE.
• Able to take control of a dynamic situation and influence others.
• Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
• Able to present evidence in court and at other hearings.
• Skilled in the use of standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements, including creating visual records for forensic investigations.
• Able to use resources efficiently in own role and to comply with financial rules and procedures
• Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
• Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine appropriate action, including the evaluation of forensic examination of items and collision scenes, and to take decisions and evaluate outcomes.
• Able to review own performance objectively and to develop and follow an appropriate continuous improvement plan.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
• Able to work with others, offer support and opinions and be able to receive feedback.
• Able to identify potential new ways of working and innovation where appropriate and to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
Desirable:
• Attain membership of a professional organisation recognised by Institute of Motor Industries or an institution registered with the Engineering Council, Chartered Society of Forensic Science.
• Experience or understanding of ISO accreditation, in particular ISO 17020 & 17025
Medical - Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
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.
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