FORENSIC VIDEO ANALYST

What can I expect to do in this role?

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Ontario Provincial Police, is seeking a qualified individual to examine and analyze audio/video recordings for the purpose of developing, enhancing and clarifying evidence, and presenting, defending and supporting associated findings in courts of law as required; undertake research and maintain ongoing research and forensic studies related to the sciences of digital audio processing, digital image processing and video recording technologies, both analog and digital. To attend crime scenes and recover evidence using sophisticated audio/video equipment for examination as required and to provide training and guidance to colleagues/front line officers and assist Manager in equipment maintenance and policy as they relate to these sciences.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

Job requires knowledge of operation, maintenance, networking and security, and daily administration of computer system hardware and software; knowledge of video capture technologies and techniques, digital image capture techniques, digital still and video cameras, video players/ recorders, time base correctors, optical disk recorders, high end photo quality printers and laser printers, backup devices and scanners. Knowledge of hardware and software maintenance and troubleshooting, upgrades and installation; advanced imaging processing packages, specialized features, portability between computer platforms, in particular, AVID / Oceans Systems/Adobe Photoshop. Knowledge of use of compression schemes including proprietary codecs such as mpeg2, mpeg4, jpeg, motion jpeg, Wavelet and HD platforms; ability to use various algorithms, functions and filters to extract maximum information value from digital evidence images. Knowledge to determine differences between class and accidental characteristics. Knowledge of operation of digital and film-based cameras, of image acquisition including lighting techniques, barrier and exciter filters, and contrast controls, processing and printing. Job requires ability to research computer and video technology and related sciences; knowledge of the history and mathematical/ imaging science theories involved in digitizing video and still image information; knowledge of theory of digital image capture, theory/ science of video recording, time base correction, different video formats, scanning technologies, digital camera technologies, time lapse recording, frame/field identification and separation, time code and multiple image recording; knowledge of image database administration, photographic theories/ practices and the relationship to video / digital environment. Knowledge of distinction between analog/digital domains, image capture by VCR, CCD camera and flatbed scanner, image enhancement with the use of Adobe Photoshop, image calibration, understanding image enhancement algorithms including Image Subtraction, Fast Fourier Transform and Histogram Equalization. Knowledge of methods of scene protection. Knowledge of procedure journaling and hard copy acquisition, ability to design lesson plans, lectures/ presentations and deliver to a variety of audiences. Job requires analytical and research skills to conduct research projects, make recommendations on addition of new and/or upgrades to existing technological equipment; ability to stay current on state of the art technologies to present and defend analysis conclusions in court. Knowledge of security, continuity and handling of evidence as imposed by the courts, Rules of Evidence. Job requires knowledge of personal computers and Microsoft suite (Word, e-mail, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.,) for generating reports, correspondence, court statements, court presentations. Job requires knowledge of the health and safety regulations (WHMIS) related to contact with biohazards in the lab. Job requires willingness to work toward professional certification in the examination of forensic video evidence. Oral communication skills to provide complex/ expert technical evidence in lay terms in court; to provide information over the telephone to investigators, identification units and prosecuting attorneys on the status of a case; to develop and deliver training presentations, develop lesson plans and provide instructional sessions. Written communication skills to prepare reports/documents and present findings, and to prepare research papers for publication in scientific and professional journals. Interpersonal skills to obtain precise case information from investigators to assist in the search process; convey results, present findings and discuss cases by phone or in person with Forensic Identification Unit (FIU) and Forensic Identification Support Services (FISS) members and investigators; to work collaboratively with other forensic video analysts in the development, retrieval and interpretation of evidence. Job requires the ability to diagnose system failures and implement suggested fixes from external technical support staff via telephone conferencing. Analyzes and interprets images for identification while having to deal with poor quality recordings. Job requires ability to research proprietary digital video closed circuit television systems in order to identify codecs/ viewers and accepted practices in the analysis and acquisition of digital multimedia evidence (DME), ability to review digital multimedia evidence and form limitless range of conclusions which frequently go beyond the question of identity/non-identity to issues of probability and the respective significance of such findings, in an atmosphere of pressure both in volume of work and the profile and gravity of the investigations. Job requires ability to work as part of a team on complex and difficult cases, requiring participation in the investigation of new approaches and adaptations to existing methodologies. Job requires ability to research and develop policy to support operational requirements. Job requires reviewing digital multimedia evidence and forming a limitless range of conclusions including possible identity and the evidential implications of these conclusions. Job requires the tendering of evidence in court entailing spontaneous response and defense of an unlimited range of issues on the expertise and experience of the analyst, frequently under adversarial and confrontational conditions. Job requires realization of the implications of errors in conclusions such that one error can implicate and convict an innocent person (and free a guilty one), destroy credibility of the laboratory and all of its program functions, have disastrous effects on the science of forensic video analysis in general and the outcome of other cases. Must be eligible to work in Canada. Must pass OPP Security investigation.

Collection of Information

Your personal information is being collected and will be used to determine your qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for recruitment modernization initiatives. OPS Careers is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25 and this collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers.

Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.

If you have any questions about the collection, use, disclosure, or retention of your personal information, please contact us.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.