Employees in this class have expertise in multiple areas of the forensic laboratory either within a specific section or in two or more sections such as chemistry, biology, toxicology, documents, firearms, and latent prints. Work involves conducting examinations and testifying in court as an expert witness regarding evidence in those cases where facts are complex and difficult to establish, and standard tests may not produce conclusive results without interpretation. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category.
Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps.
Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors.