EMPLOYMENT / PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Vacancy No.: 26-294-1
Title of Position: Criminalist Vacancy exists in the Warwick Police Department/Detectives Division
Salary Range: $36.29 - $46.26 per hour/35 hours per week
Date Posted: October 21, 2026 Deadline for Applying: Open Until Filled
Remarks: This is a Classified/Exempt/Hourly Examination Weight: 100% Education and Experience
Statement of Duties: Applies scientific principles to analysis, identification, and classification of mechanical devices, chemical and physical substances, materials, liquids, or other physical evidence related to criminology, law enforcement, or investigative work by performing the following duties:
- Searches for, collects, photographs, preserves and stores evidence following proper chain-of-custody.
- Performs variety of analytical examinations.
- Analyzes items such as paint, glass, printed matter, paper, ink, fabric, dust, dirt, gases, or other substances.
- Lifts, searches, compares fingerprints and interprets findings.
- Identifies hair, skin, tissue, blood, bones, or human organs.
- Examines and classifies explosives, firearms, bullets, shells, and other weapons.
- Interprets laboratory findings relative to drugs, poisons, narcotics, alcohol, or other compounds ingested or injected into body.
- Reconstructs crime scene, preserving marks or impressions made by shoes, tires, or other objects by plaster or moulage casts.
- Prepares reports or presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions, and prepares results for court or other formal hearings.
- Keeps records and files along with writing reports and charts of various types along with working within a budget.
- Testifies as expert witness on evidence or crime laboratory techniques.
- Confers with experts in such specialties as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, metallurgy, biochemistry, medicine, or others.
- Trains and supports police personnel in the field of evidence handling.
- Responsible for records retention in accordance with policy and law, making ID's, and corresponding with RI BCI, FBI and other agencies.
- Responds to crime scenes under all types of conditions and various times of the day or night.
- Enters data into police computers.
- Performs related work as required.
Education & Experience: An Associate of Arts or Science in criminal justice, physical or biological science, or another relevant field of study and a minimum of five years of experience in a police or law enforcement agency's BCI unit, or a combination of substantially equivalent education and experience. Applicants must be a graduate the University of RI's Scientific Criminal Investigation Training course or a similar BCI school training program.
Skills and Abilities: Must be able to work with the latest equipment and have knowledge of the most advanced methods of evidence analysis. Must have knowledge in the interpretation and evaluation of finger and palm prints using the modified "Henry" system.
Note: A driver’s license check and BCI will be performed. Negative findings may prevent applicants from being considered.
The City of Warwick offers a robust menu of employer provided benefits to include individual and family health and dental insurance; paid time off to include holidays, vacation, personal time and sick leave; pension, life insurance, and optional, supplemental retirement plans.
THE CITY OF WARWICK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
https://www.warwickri.gov/personnel-department/webforms/submit-application-or-resume
Special Requirements An Associate of Arts or Science in criminal justice, physical or biological science, or another relevant field of study and a minimum of five years of experience in a police or law enforcement agency's BCI unit, or a combination of substantially equivalent education and experience. Applicants must be a graduate the University of RI's Scientific Criminal Investigation Training course or a similar BCI school training program.