Forensic Scientist

Exciting Opportunity: Forensic Scientist Specialising in Chemistry

Join the West Midlands Police Forensic Services Department and be an integral part of our forensic laboratories. We are looking for a passionate Forensic Scientist with a strong chemistry background who is eager to drive and implement change.

As a key member of our team, you will develop and evolve a robust and responsive service to support West Midlands Police crime investigations, providing an integrated and strategic approach to cases involving both the biology and chemistry business strands within the laboratories and at scenes. 

Responsibilities: 

• Work within our established Forensic Labs alongside three other Forensic Scientists (Biology) 

• Provide leadership to a team comprising Forensic Reporting Officers, Forensic Technicians, and Apprentices, reporting to the Forensic Investigations Manager

• Offer strong and proven technical and operational support within Forensic Services and Police Investigation Teams.

• Collaborate with Police Investigation Teams to help inform and set examination strategies.

• Assist in the examination and analysis of forensic exhibits.

• Provide expertise, technical, and practical support to ensure the efficient operation of the laboratory, including accreditation, validation, and the implementation of new methods. 

   

   

Essential Skills:

• A high level of knowledge and operational experience in the field of forensic science.

• Must hold a degree in science (at least BSc or equivalent qualification) and have operational experience as a reporting scientist/ officer in a forensic science laboratory.

• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills and operational experience in at least one of the following areas:

1. Laboratory-based forensic examinations including the examination and recovery and interpretation of bodily fluids and contact trace evidence.

2. The retrieval and sampling of exhibits for DNA analysis, including the necessary understanding of DNA profiling techniques.

3. Crime scene attendance and examination, including the examination and recovery and interpretation of biological material.

•  The role holder must have an excellent knowledge of the requirements of the Criminal Justice system in regard to forensic evidence, and must have operational experience of delivering such evidence in written and oral form
• The role holder must be able to demonstrate respect for race and diversity, and to display the behaviours expected of West Midlands Police staff by our community.
• The role holder must have good communication skills, and be able to mentor and train staff to develop their knowledge and ability.
• The role holder must be able to adapt working practices to embrace new technologies and innovative working practices. The role holder must be able to apply knowledge and analytical decision-making skills to a variety of challenging scenarios, problems and difficulties, and to identify solutions.
• The role holder must have good planning and organising skills, and an ability to work flexibly and meet tight deadlines. The role holder must be able to work within a team, including those from multiple disciplines, in order to deliver required outcomes.
• The role holder must have a full understanding of role of the Expert Witness within the Criminal Justice system, and of responsibilities including the rules of disclosure, and the ethics associated with the role. 

Desirable Skills:-

• Knowledge, skills and operational experience in the location, recovery, enhancement and comparison of marks evidence, including footwear mark and finger/ palm mark evidence. This knowledge and experience could extend to the enhancement and interpretation of marks in contaminants including blood.

• Any previous experience of scientific research work, particularly in relation to the disciplines of body fluid evidence, specialist location of evidence, footwear mark examination, or finger/ palm mark recovery.

• A post-graduate qualification, such as MSc, PhD and their equivalents, in a field relating to science, including forensic science.
   

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving the forensic investigation process for sexual offences. If you have a passion for forensics and are ready to contribute to meaningful change, we encourage you to apply.

Contact:- For further information regarding this role, please contact, Susan Porter on susan.porter@westmidlands.police.uk

Hours of Work and Flexibility
The role if full time. Working outside of standard office hours may be required. There is a requirement to work flexibly at all times with due regard to prevailing workloads and priorities. 

Successful applicants will be required to pass Recruitment Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background and 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.

Interviews: Will take place on w/c 30th March 2026.

Benefit Statement:
By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:
•    Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
•    Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
•    Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
•    A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

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"