Crime Scene Investigator at National Crime Agency in Stevenage, Warrington, Tolworth

Job summary

Investigations Command is the core crime fighting capability of the NCA. We take an intelligence-led approach and concentrate on tackling the criminals and risks to the public which are beyond the capability or capacity of other law enforcement bodies. Our work is largely focused on investigating Organised Immigration Crime, Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Economic Crime, Firearms, Drugs, Kidnap and Extortion and Money Laundering. The Investigations Command provides a flexible, shared operational capability, designed to maximise the impact of the UK's collective resources against serious and organised crime. Our teams respond to a broad range of threats, many of which also remain a responsibility for police forces and other agencies as well as private industry.

Information about the Business Area

This DD area comprises the Command’s national multi-threat teams (in the north, central & Wales, and the south), as well as the Command’s Forensic capability.

Role Summary

We are recruiting experienced Crime Scene Investigators to join our Forensics Team to support our response to Serious and Organised Crime in the London, South East and Northern regions

In this role you will deliver all aspects of forensic support, to develop intelligence in the proactive environment and securing forensic evidence in reactive operational activity.

You will support all of the NCA investigations from beginning to end, Nationally and Internationally.

Job description

As an NCA Crime Scene Investigator, you will play a vital role in tackling serious and organised crime by providing specialist forensic support across a wide range of operations. You will attend scenes throughout the UK, and occasionally overseas, to search for, identify, and recover evidence that helps link individuals to criminal activity and supports intelligence-led investigations. This could include deployments involving large-scale drug importation, organised immigration crime, firearms offences, fraud, money laundering, and child exploitation.

You will be responsible for planning and delivering forensic examinations at scenes, ensuring evidence is collected using appropriate techniques and recorded accurately. Working closely with investigators and partner agencies, you will contribute to building strong evidential cases by preserving the integrity of exhibits and maintaining clear, reliable documentation throughout the process.

This role requires a high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to ethical standards. You will operate within strict legal frameworks and national forensic requirements, contributing to a service aligned with ISO 17020 and Forensic Science Regulator standards. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact in protecting the public and disrupting serious criminal activity.

Duties & Responsibilities

To support the Senior Crime Scene Investigator to develop and deliver forensic tactical collection plans to support the Forensic Strategy - Assist in planning and delivering forensic strategies that maximise evidence recovery and support investigative objectives.

Exploit all available and appropriate search and recovery techniques in the recovery of forensic evidence. Apply innovative methods to preserve record and recover evidence to Criminal Justice Standards (CJS) in difficult and hazardous circumstances - Use a wide range of forensic techniques to safely locate, recover, and preserve evidence to required standards, even in challenging environments

Work within the NCA Forensic Quality Management System to support the ISO accreditation and compliance with the Forensic Science Regulator Codes of Practice for NCA Crime Scene Services - Be an active member to support accreditation through tasked work from the ISO board.

Work Monday to Friday and be available to be on an on call rota and to deploy anywhere within the UK and abroad - Core Hours are Monday - Friday 0800 - 1600. This needs to be flexible to suit the requirements of the Organisation. On call is approximately once every 5 weeks, and this is for seven days (Monday - Sunday) Flexibility is required within the on call rota , as there are often requirements for short term cover outside of your rostered week.

Examine and manage crime scenes as part of a multi disciplinary team - Work collaboratively with partners to effectively examine, manage, and process scenes.

Manage own workload and responsibilities - Take responsibility for prioritising tasks and delivering work efficiently to required standards.

Prepare written reports, statements and photographs detailing evidence.Attend court as required - Produce clear, accurate documentation and provide evidence in court when required.

Perform dynamic Risk Assessments, supervise the Health and Safety at crime scenes of colleagues and continually seek ways to improve the working environment - Ensure safe working practices through ongoing risk assessment and proactive health and safety management.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Knowledge of ISO17020 Accreditation requirements and obligations.

Knowledge of Relevant legislation including but not limited to Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), Criminal Procedure and Investigations ACT (CPIA), Policing Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).

Experience of presenting evidence, either in the form of written statements or orally in judicial proceedings.

Experience in the control of all aspects of crime scene examination, including knowledge of relevant Health & Safety Regulation in a forensic environment and writing Risk Assessments.

A broad level of experience in providing forensic support (including staying abreast of forensic scientific developments).

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to work on your own and as part of a large team.

On-call working

The on-call requirement is a minimum of one week in every five-week cycle. As the team provides continuous 24/7 cover throughout the year, you may be required to work on bank holidays.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.

Qualifications, Membership and Licences

• Full DVLA Driving License

AND

• Crime Scene Investigators Qualification (Modules 1 & 2, College of Policing, or equivalent)

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Desirable Criteria

Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.

• College of Policing C1 / Level 2 trained certificate
• Crime Scene Manager trained certificate
• Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Ability to recognise, assess, and manage risk in an operational forensic environment while maintaining control, safety, and evidential integrity.
• Confidence and professionalism when operating within the criminal justice system, and your capacity to withstand external scrutiny of your forensic work.
• Effectiveness in leading and managing complex or large-scale crime scenes, and how well you apply forensic knowledge and experience to achieve successful outcomes in challenging operational environments

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,428, National Crime Agency contributes

£10,842 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £10,842. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Technical Skills

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Ability to recognise, assess, and manage risk in an operational forensic environment while maintaining control, safety, and evidential integrity.
• Confidence and professionalism when operating within the criminal justice system, and your capacity to withstand external scrutiny of your forensic work.
• Effectiveness in leading and managing complex or large-scale crime scenes, and how well you apply forensic knowledge and experience to achieve successful outcomes in challenging operational environments

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

• Ability to recognise, assess, and manage risk in an operational forensic environment while maintaining control, safety, and evidential integrity. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an