Exam Bulletin - Criminalist

Department of Justice

Exam Code: EX-1663

Examination Plans Included:

  • CRIMINALIST - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

CRIMINALIST: $4,409.00 - $5,863.00 (A) per Month
CRIMINALIST: $5,768.00 - $8,084.00 (B) per Month
CRIMINALIST: $6,948.00 - $9,744.00 (C) per Month

View the CRIMINALIST classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • CRIMINALIST - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1663

For CRIMINALIST, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01663

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00108466 - CRIMINALIST

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences, including the equivalent of eight semester hours of general chemistry and three semester hours of quantitative analysis.

Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination but they must produce proof of graduation or its equivalent before they are eligible for appointment. Candidates who have graduated from college with a major in one of the physical or biological sciences, including the eight semester hours of general chemistry, but do not possess the three semester hours of quantitative analysis will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce proof of completion of the three semester hours of quantitative analysis before they are eligible for appointment. 

Drug Testing Requirement

Applicants for positions in this class series are required to pass a drug screening test.

Position Description

00108466 - CRIMINALIST

This is the entry, training and subjourney level for the series. Under general direction, Criminalists will perform routine and less complex technical laboratory analyses and assist higher level Criminalists in the examination of crime scenes and in the scientific investigation of crimes.

Special Personal Characteristics
 
Tact, patience, and keenness of observation.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Scientific methods and techniques used in examining crime scenes.
  2. Tests for the identity and comparison of blood and physiological fluids.
  3. Tests for explosives and flammable materials.
  4. Toxicological analyses.
  5. Tests of hair and fibers, glass, soil, paint, and similar materials, and equipment necessary to conduct these tests.
  6. Modern methods and techniques in investigations of major crimes.
  7. Current trends in toxicology, general chemistry and microchemistry.
  8. Modern types of small arms and the techniques of conducting all types of firearms, bullet, and tool mark comparisons.
  9. Methods used in the examination of documents in criminal cases.
  10. Photographic and photomicrographic principles and practices as applied to Criminalists.
  11. Chromatographic techniques.

Ability to:
  1. Make extensive use of scientific methods and techniques at the scene of a crime.
  2. Make effective use of microscopes, spectrograph, infrared and ultra-violet spectrophotometer, and gas chromatograph.
  3. Use micro methods for determining physical constants such as refractive index and density.
  4. Recognize the need for and develop and evaluate new test methods and procedures.
  5. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
  6. Conduct applied research to develop and validate state-of-the-art evidence examination techniques.
  7. Testify effectively in court.
  8. Instruct law enforcement and forensic personnel in criminalistics.
  9. Prepare course outlines and lesson plans which will satisfy the requirements set forth by the Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training (POST).

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CRIMINALIST Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Justice

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Criminalist Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks:
  1. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in General Chemistry. 
  2. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Quantitative Analysis. 
  3. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Organic Chemistry. 
  4. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Biochemistry. 
  5. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Biology. 
  6. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Genetics. 
  7. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Molecular Biology. 
  8. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Statistics. 
  9. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Inorganic Chemistry. 
  10. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Physical Chemistry. 
  11. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Anatomy. 
  12. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Physiology. 
  13. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Microbiology. 
  14. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in each course of study: Botany. 
  15. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Pharmacology. 
  16. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Forensic Science/Criminalistics. 
  17. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Toxicology. 
  18. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Physics. 
  19. Identify the number of units you have successfully completed in Instrumental Analysis. 
  20. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Gas Chromatography. 
  21. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a Mass Spectrometers. 
  22. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). 
  23. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a Compound Microscope (Bright Field, Polarizing or Phase Contrast). 
  24. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Capillary Electrophoresis. 
  25. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Polymerase Chain Reaction – Thermal Cyclers. 
  26. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Automated Sequencers. 
  27. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Blood, Breath, and Urine Alcohol Analysis, or Controlled Substance Analysis. 
  28. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with DNA Analysis Polymerase Chain Reaction, Short Tandem Repeat (STR), Mitochondrial DNA, or Massive Parallel Sequencing. 
  29. What is your knowledge and/or experience with Toxicology 
  30. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Liquid Chromatography 
  31. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with an Infrared Spectrometer (Dispersive)
  32. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a UV – Visible Spectrometer. 
  33. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a FTIR Microscope. 
  34. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with a Fluorescence Microscope. 
  35. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Comparison Microscopes. 
  36. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Scanning Electron Microscopes 
  37. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Atomic Absorption. 
  38. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Emission Spectrometers. 
  39. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Energy Dispersive X Ray (EDX/XRF). 
  40. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Radioactive Detection Techniques (radioisotopes). 
  41. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Chemiluminesence Detection Techniques. 
  42. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Clandestine Lab Analysis. 
  43. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Conventional Serology Blood or Semen. 
  44. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Impression Evidence Firearms or Tool marks. 
  45. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Tire Impressions or Shoe Impressions and Prints. 
  46. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Trace Arson, Explosive Residue, Paint, Hair, Fiber, Glass, or Mineral Grains/Soils.
  47. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Digital Evidence - Mobile Phone Extraction or Computer Forensics. 
  48. Describe your knowledge and/or experience with Crime Scene Evidence Collection or Reconstruction. 
  49. What is your knowledge and/or experience with Latent Print Comparison. 
  50. What experience do you have with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System). 
  51. What experience do you have with CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). 
  52. What experience do you have providing court testimony as a qualified expert.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Justice

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@Calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Justice
OHR/Testing & Selections Unit
1300 I Street, Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 324-5039

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Justice reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)