Criminalist 2 - Denver Police Department Crime Lab

About Our Job

Application Deadline:

This position is expected to stay open until Monday, November 23rd, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than Monday, November 23rd at 5:00PM.

The Denver Crime Laboratory is dedicated to supporting the Denver Police Department in solving crime. The Forensics and Evidence Division employs highly trained professionals who assist in criminal investigations and contribute to making Denver a safer place to live.

The Denver Police Crime Scene Unit investigates criminal cases ranging from property crimes to crimes against persons throughout the City and County of Denver. The unit responds to more than 4,000 crime scenes annually.

This is a seniority-based night-shift position. The incumbent must be available to work weekends, holidays, and on-call.

Job Responsibilities

• Identify, collect, preserve, and package biological, friction ridge, impression, and other physical evidence in accordance with established standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Support crime scene investigations through specialized techniques requiring advanced technical knowledge and training.

• Perform advanced crime scene processing techniques with minimal supervision.

• Document crime scenes using forensic techniques and technologies, including digital photography, videography, laser scanning, and diagramming software.

• Attend autopsies at the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner to photograph injuries and assist with the collection of physical evidence, as needed.

• Prepare detailed technical reports in accordance with departmental requirements.

• Maintain proper chain of custody and ensure appropriate evidence packaging to prevent contamination and preserve evidence integrity.

• Provide courtroom testimony regarding crime scene processing and evidence handling.

• Participate in structured training programs and assist in the training and mentorship of Criminalist I, Criminalist II, and Criminalist Technician personnel.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues encountered during daily operations.

• Perform all duties in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards, including adherence to SOPs and quality assurance requirements.

• Perform additional related duties as assigned by supervisors.

About You

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• At least three years of experience in a similar work environment, preferably within a large agency.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic operational environment.
• The ability to work shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The ability to effectively manage difficult crime scenes and challenging situations.
• Flexibility to accommodate changes in call rotations and scheduling.
• A strong team-oriented mindset.
• A commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected to advance in the hiring process must successfully complete a polygraph examination, drug test, medical evaluation, and criminal background check as conditions of employment.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree.
• Experience Requirement: Three (3) years of experience at the Criminalist I level.
• Education and Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• License and Certification Requirements:
  • A valid driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • The ability to obtain International Association for Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Analyst, Level 2 certification within two years of employment.
  • The ability to complete Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) Levels 1–4 training within four years of employment.
  • It is a condition of employment that the Denver Police Forensics & Evidence Division Form for Consent for Collection of a DNA Sample be completed at the time of hire.
  • Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.

About Everything Else

Job Profile

CE2826 Criminalist II

To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.

Position Type

Unlimited

Position Salary Range

$33.22 - $51.49

Target Pay

Based on Experience and Education

Agency

Denver Police Department

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. 

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [email protected] with three business days’ notice.

Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

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