To provide assistance to officers and staff when using front line digital forensics tools. This will be through classroom and remote instruction/assistance and technical support through validation of hardware and software, being innovative via research and development to identify the latest development from vendors and trouble shooting. Supporting Technical Managers with training, competency and audit requirements of staff. Communicate verbal and written summaries/reports of findings to Technical Managers to review and make informed recommendations as to how to progress. Additionally to providing technical assistance to investigating officers through the digital forensic investigation of computers, mobile phones and other digital data devices that have been or are suspected of being used in the commission of crime. Communicate verbal and written summaries of findings for investigating officers to review and make informed decisions as to how to progress inquiries. Provide evidential reports for the purpose of presenting evidence to Investigating Officers, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Courts.
Key responsibilities
- Manage own workload
- Assist in seizure and retention of digital devices within a laboratory environment and at scenes for subsequent forensic examination;
- Manage forensic exhibits to ensure continuity, confidentiality and security is maintained at all times;
- Understand and follow Digital Forensic good practice methodologies (ISO 17020, ISO 17025 standards, FSR codes and ACPO Principles of Digital Evidence) when delivering all their responsibilities;
- Carry out the forensic acquisition, examination, analysis and investigation of evidence from a variety of digital devices which have been used in the commission, preparation or instigation of criminal offences.
- Prepare standard evidential reports upon completion of Digital Forensic examinations;
- Provide fact and procedural based evidence at Court as and when required;
- Validation of methods, software and hardware of tooling utilised by Digital Forensics and Digital Investigations, troubleshooting issues as they arise By the means of research and development to identify the latest development from vendors, supporting projects;
- Support and deliver on competency and training of secondary skilled officers and staff via Quality Management Systems acting as Quality Representative for the team;
- Supporting team internal audits ensuring they are completed and submitted to the Quality Manager in a timely manner Assist with the development and writing of technical procedures
- Constantly appraise working methods to ensure best value and keep abreast of the constant development of technology and case law
- Identify new methods and techniques to be included in the scope of accreditation
- Carry out root cause and risk analysis, formulate corrective/preventive actions, ensure actions are completed within agreed timescales
- Ensure that confidentiality and security is maintained at all times; and
- To carry out any duties commensurate with the purpose of the post that may from time to time be determined.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team of Digital Forensic Officers;
- Possess excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) in support of training and competency testing staff and delivering innovative technologies;
- Be enthusiastic, hardworking and flexible;
- Possess an ability to examine digital devices in a methodical and precise way and have an aptitude for problem solving and designing solutions though SOPs and validation exercises;
- Be conversant with Windows and/or mobile operating systems and have a keen interest in and understanding of computer systems and mobile devices;
- Ability to dismantle computers and/or safely handle mobile devices for examination purposes, whilst maintaining accurate contemporaneous records. Identification, removal and safe handling of key computer and/or mobile device components;
- Be conversant with the ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 standards, FSR codes and ACPO Principles of Digital Evidence; and
- Be able to regularly work with material that may be of an obscene, offensive or distressing nature. Treat such material in the appropriate manner ensuring it is secured and handled according to defined policies.
Desirable
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team of Digital Forensic Officers;
- Possess excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) in support of training and competency testing staff and delivering innovative technologies;
- Be enthusiastic, hardworking and flexible;
- Possess an ability to examine digital devices in a methodical and precise way and have an aptitude for problem solving and designing solutions though SOPs and validation exercises;
- Be conversant with Windows and/or mobile operating systems and have a keen interest in and understanding of computer systems and mobile devices;
- Ability to dismantle computers and/or safely handle mobile devices for examination purposes, whilst maintaining accurate contemporaneous records. Identification, removal and safe handling of key computer and/or mobile device components;
- Be conversant with the ISO 17020 and ISO 17025 standards, FSR codes and ACPO Principles of Digital Evidence; and
- Be able to regularly work with material that may be of an obscene, offensive or distressing nature. Treat such material in the appropriate manner ensuring it is secured and handled according to defined policies
Skills
Essential
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in support of training staff and delivering innovative technologies
- Be enthusiastic, engaging and adaptable to suit the needs of colleagues and the business.
- Be able to work as part of a team and on their own initiative
- Be resilient in the face of challenges, in relation to departmental decisions and have the conviction to uphold those decisions and policies.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team of Digital Forensic examiners;
- Must have full UK driving license
- Be prepared to handle and be exposed to material that is offensive, distressing and obscene in nature.
Desirable
- Have attended and passed ISO Technical Managers Course
- Have attended and passed an Auditors Course
- Have attended and passed professional Digital Forensics training
The post holder will be required to work a shift pattern that incorporates working weekends, bank holidays and from time to time outside of core shift hours. Core hours 7am to 10pm.
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.
Medical - Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
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”
West Midlands Police is the second largest police force in the country, covering an area of 348 square miles and serving a population of almost 2.8 million.The region sits at the very heart of the country and covers the three major centres of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It also includes the busy and thriving districts of Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull and Dudley. Leisure, retail and conference amenities, together with Premiership and Championship football teams, attract millions of visitors annually.
The West Midlands is an area rich in diversity, with 18 per cent of its population from ethnic minority backgrounds.
An average of 170,000 motorists travel through the region daily, making its motorways some of the busiest in Europe.
Against this backdrop, the force deals with more than 2,000 emergency calls for help every day, as well as patrolling the streets and responding to incidents 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.
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