Crime Scene Investigator (DunmowGrays)

Location of Role: Dunmow/Grays

Advert Closing Date: 25/11/2025

Starting Salary: 27204.00(pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time:Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: 24/7 shift

Weekend/Evening Working: Yes

Do you want a career in Crime Scene Investigation The Essex Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Department which is part of the Essex Police and Kent Police Serious Crime Department (SCD) is committed to maximizing the effective use of forensic evidence in solving crime which you could be part of.

We are seeking individuals who are highly motivated with an investigative mindset and capable of displaying a high standard of problem-solving ability. You will need to be self-confident capable of learning quickly and have good communication and interpersonal skills. You will also need to hold a full UK/European manual driving licence.

As a CSI its your role to gather forensic evidence from crime scenes that will ultimately lead to the detection and prosecution of criminals. You will be expected to attend all categories of crime scene from volume crime including burglary vehicle crime and assaults through to major/serious scenes including greivous bodily harm (GBH) robbery rape and murder. You will be required to process these crime scenes conduct scientific examinations with the objective of identifying recording and recovering physical and digital forensic evidence and intelligence information while avoiding loss of evidence or contamination. You will also be required to give advice on scene preservation packaging and cordons.

You will need to compile accurate and comprehensive scene examination reports and complete all supporting documentation in an electronic manner. As part of the criminal justice process you will be expected to produce statements detailing your examination and where required attend coroners crown or magistrates court to give evidence as a professional witness.

This role works in line with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 17020 and the Forensic Regulators Code of Practice and Conduct; thus you will also be required to evidence competency in your role and always adhere to the organisational quality standards.

A high proportion of the role requires lone working; you will need to work independently on your own initiative. Where required you will also need to work well as part of a team and under the direction of a Senior CSI or Crime Scene Manager particularly at major or serious crime scenes.

The successful applicant must have the ability to communicate with members of the public complainants or victims often when they are distressed or potentially hostile to establish the circumstances or a sequence of events.

Applicants must have and maintain a reasonable standard of physical health and wellbeing. The role involves being agile and able to climb bend and get into awkward places such as lofts ditches etc. and be strong enough to lift heavy items as required. Applicants should also have good eyesight (with or without correction) to carry out detailed and meticulous close-up work.

You must be prepared to work in all weathers and times of day and night sometimes under very challenging and pressurised conditions. This includes attendance at post-mortems prisons custody or other crimes that require a great deal of fortitude and maturity.

The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which are not necessarily specified on the role profile but which are commensurate with the role.

Applicants will be required to provide fingerprints and DNA samples for elimination purposes against Police and accredited Forensic Service Provider databases.

Training

Crime Scene Investigators are trained to high national standards working to strict regulations and procedures. The successful candidate will be provided with all the necessary training which will involve mentoring with qualified CSIs and equip you to carry out all types of scene examinations from volume through to major crime.

The initial training course is delivered in two parts at the CSI training facility at Kent Police College Maidstone. After completing each part you will undergo tutoring during which time you will be required to demonstrate competency in line with ISO 17020 requirements and as part of your Personal Development Portfolio (PDP). Once competent you will be able to examine scenes independently.

Part one of the initial CSI Training course is scheduled to take place in Spring 2026 and successful candidates need to be available to attend the duration of this course.A series of formal training courses and regular CPD will be provided to maintain and develop your skills as a Crime Scene Investigator in line with the CSI Progression scheme.

Work pattern and remuneration

You will be expected to partake in a designated shift pattern which includes weekends working on average 37 hours per week between the hours 0700 to 2300 that attracts a 14% shift allowance and weekend working enhancement in line with the Police Staff Council (PSC) Handbook. This also requires participation in an on-call rota for serious and major crime for which an on-call allowance is paid.

Our location

The vacancies are based at Grays and Great Dunmow. Please note the vacancy at Grays vacancy is currently temporarily based at Basildon with an expected move to Grays in January 2026.

What we are looking for

At shortlisting we will be looking for the following essential criteria:

• Good interpersonal skills can effectively communicate and interact with other people across all levels able to record facts and opinions accurately.
• It is essential that you are flexible and resilient (physically and psychologically) in terms of shifts being retained on duty and on call duties; whilst also being able to deal with incidents and scenes of a distressing nature.
• Computer literate and able to adapt to new technology.
• Full clean UK/European manual driving licence.
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade C or above (or equivalent) including English Mathematics and Science based subjects.

It would also be helpful if you evidence the following:

• Current or previous experience as a Crime Scene Investigator.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy with an understanding of the importance of integrity and continuity within criminal justice.
• Effective interpersonal communication and negotiation skills face to face and over the telephone.
• Experience of dealing effectively with a diverse range of people.
• Life experience and ability to use initiative or problem solve to deal with any situation you are faced with.
• The ability to gather analyse and present facts and opinions accurately clearly and concisely in written and oral formats which would include giving evidence in court.
• Initiative and self-motivation able to work alone with minimal supervision or as part of a team under challenging conditions.
• A scientific degree or related equivalent qualification is desirable.
• Photographic qualifications and/or practical experience of photography or digital imaging is desirable.
• Experience or understanding of working within an ISO accredited environment or in line with Quality Standards is desirable.

For further information please contact Carey Power on .

Successful applicants for this role will be defined as a static worker working solely from one office within an office-based team. Whilst the role is categorised as such your primary function will be engaging with the public attending and examining crime scenes.

For the full job description please click here.

Essex Policeoffer incremental increases within this salary band therefore the salary for this position will rise to a maximum of45765.00.

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the reason for application question within the application form itself. CVs covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your reason for application answer please refer to any experience skills and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age disability gender reassignment marriage or civil partnership status pregnancy or maternity race religion or belief sexual orientation sex or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process or for further information regarding this position please email us at stating Application Support and Adjustments in the title of your email. Alternatively you can call us on . Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If youre not from the UK you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If youre from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesnt apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to externalchallenge and validation
• are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping otheremployers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity Equality and Inclusionare central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks DE&I team and wider HR departments we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.