Digital Forensic Technician - Video Laboratory

Job description

Digital Forensic Technician - Video Laboratory

Vacancy Reference Number

23161

Number of Vacancies

3

(B) OCU

MO4 Forensic Services

Location

Lambeth

Building

LAMBETH HQ

Band

Band I

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

36 hours per week

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Advert

Job Title: Digital Forensic Technician - Video Laboratory

Salary: The starting salary is £46,985, which includes allowances totalling £3,009.

The salary is broken down as £43,976 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £49,670. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

This role does not attract Shift Disturbance Allowance. If you are currently in a shift-working role, SDA should cease upon appointment to this job.

Location: Lambeth

Role description:

A digital forensic video technician will work in the Forensic Video laboratory, working closely with police officers and staff to provide a professional, efficient and effective forensic video provision to the Metropolitan Police Service, Criminal Justice System and external agencies;

The role will require technicians to obtain an overall understanding and competency in all areas of video forensics in order that that they are able to support the following teams:

Download and data recovery team - assisting with recovery of CCTV footage from Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)

Video Compilation team - assisting with production of video compilations for court trials - including undertaking basic image enhancement

Court presentation (FOCUS) team - Training police officers in the use of the FOCUS court presentation system - such that officers are confident in how to arrange and access their various multimedia assets during their court trial.

The successful applicant will be required to rotate through these departments as needs arise.

They must have an ability to multitask, and to prioritise effectively; sometimes undertaking several pieces of work simultaneously

Key Activities:

• Downloading of video from Video Surveillance System (VSS) devices
• Format conversion and duplication of video recordings
• Process digital and analogue devices and media pertaining to video including acquisition, editing and production of video material for presentation to the Criminal Justice System (CJS)
• Producing clear and appropriate casework records
• Writing statements detailing the work undertaken
• Train non-technical investigators to operate FOCUS court presentation system
• Testing and handling of equipment for court use
• Installation of equipment and integration into other systems across the crown courts in London
• Troubleshooting technical problems under pressure and providing technical advice to officers in support of forensic submissions
• Updating relevant systems such as laboratory asset registers, maintenance management systems and databases
• Sharing information with and providing support to other members of Digital Forensics (DF)
• Delivering presentations to small groups
• Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to your role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day-to-day activities
• Expected to work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System (QMS) and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.

Expectations and working conditions:

• Undertake a 12 month probation period.
• Understand forensic processes, handling of exhibits and case files;
• Attending court as a technical witness; if required in order to provide additional information concerning the work undertaken.
• Must provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the Embargo Staff Elimination databases;
• Sign up and adhere to the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice and Conduct;
• Adhere to the MPS Standards of Conduct.
• Comply with security policies
• Understand and accept the personal responsibility to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all Met information and any intellectual property.
• Comply with mandatory training requirements
• Comply with and promote Metropolitan Police Service policies on culture, diversity and inclusion both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others
• Work within the Forensic Service Quality Management System and actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the system by participating in quality assurance activities, engaging in internal and external audits, competence and proficiency tests, reporting non-conformances and proposing changes to improve the system.
• Comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service policies on Drug and Alcohol testing (substance misuse)
• Awareness that there may be exposure to distressing material and that there are OH checks available.

Additional Information:

Digital Forensics will be introducing a 24/7 operating model as part of an investment and transformation plan to ensure the best service to support operational policing. These teams will work on a rotational shift pattern compromising early, late and night shifts, inclusive of weekends. Approximately 20% of the overall staff in the Digital Forensics' department will be required to support it. These posts attract an additional 20% shift allowance plus weekend premium payments on top of the salary advertised above. All new staff are eligible to be placed on a shift rota subject to the relevant notice given, however in the first instance placements on these teams will be allocated to those who volunteer, any remaining places will be allocated by management and will also be subject to certain skills required to support out of hours services

This post does not currently fall within the structure of the 24/7 teams, however by applying for this role you understand that you could be placed on one of these 24/7 shift teams should business need require it. This will be subject to consultation and notice period.

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button ". The application process requires a comprehensive CV (2 pages max), a Personal Statement (300 words max), and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

The following Competency and Values Framework will be assessed at level 1 for the paper sift (please evidence your responses to the questions with specific examples):

• We are emotionally aware - provide an example where you have provided emotional support to a friend/colleague/relative. Briefly describe the scenario, what you did and the outcome. Maximum word count 300
• We collaborate - explain how you specifically contributed to a team or group project/venture. Maximum word count 300

Those successful at paper sift will be invited for interview.

There maybe a pre-interview work-sample exercise, candidates will be given time to prepare, with details provided on the day.

The Met's values and principles will not be subject to questions but will be evaluated throughout the recruitment process.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 27th November 2026.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview.

Essential For The Role

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of forensics
• A strong appreciation for forensic quality principles
• Understanding of forensic audio-video techniques, both theoretical and practical
• Awareness of audio-video compression, encoding & transcoding techniques
• Awareness of digital and analogue video recording and processing systems
• Knowledge of emerging technology and trends and how these may impact on audio-video and other types of digital evidence
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and its operation (including Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and Criminal Procedures and Investigation Act (CPIA)

Skills:

• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Excellent communication (both verbal & written)
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to convey technical matters to a non-technical audience
• Ability to work as a team as well as autonomously
• Ability to multitask and prioritise effectively
• Troubleshooting technical problems with a systematic and logical approach under pressure
• Computer literacy.

Essential criteria:

• A degree in a relevant technical discipline and/or significant relevant experience.
• Experience with AV editing software
• Experience in configuring computer hardware and software.
• Computer literacy
• Troubleshooting technical problems with a systematic and logical approach under pressure
• Ability to communicate technical concepts, verbally and in writing, to a non-technical audience
• Ability to work under pressure to tight timescales and handle competing demands

Desirable criteria:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of digital and analogue video recording and processing systems
• Understanding of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards and the presentation of evidence at court
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and its operation (including RIPA, Data Protection Act (DPA), Human Rights Act (HRA), disclosure procedures and CPIA.
• Knowledge of a programming language
• Experience of working in a forensic laboratory

Required Languages

English

Reports To

Digital Forensic Specialist - Band N

Additional Information

The following competencies will be tested against during sift:

• We are emotionally aware at level 1

• We collaborate at level 1

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.

Please note, if you are applying for a police officer role or to become a police community support officer (PCSO) or designated detention officer (DDO), there is a minimum requirement that you must pass a job-related fitness test (JRFT) at point of entry. This does not apply to police staff roles. Find out more about .