Digital Forensic Technician (Frontline) 2026

Join the Metropolitan Police’s Digital Forensics Team and play a vital role in helping keep London safe. We are looking for talented and enthusiastic individuals to carry out digital forensic examinations on a wide range of digital devices, supporting investigations and helping to deliver justice for victims and communities across London.

As a Digital Forensic Technician, you will examine devices such as mobile phones, computers and other digital media, assisting investigators to progress criminal investigations. This is a rewarding role where your work can make a real difference to victims, communities and the wider criminal justice system.

Our technicians benefit from exposure to a broad range of digital forensic work through opportunities within both our Digital Forensic Hubs and Online Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation (OCSAE) teams, located across the MPS estate. This variety provides excellent opportunities to develop technical expertise, gain experience in different environments and build a diverse skill set.

All Digital Forensic Technicians complete their initial training at Lambeth Headquarters before being assigned to a Digital Forensic Hub or OCSAE team.

To support professional development and operational resilience, posting opportunities are reviewed every six months, with at least 28 days’ notice provided of any changes. Many technicians remain at the same location for multiple rotation periods, enabling them to build expertise and continuity within their teams. Whilst personal preferences are considered wherever possible, postings are ultimately determined by operational requirements.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Forensic imaging, extraction and analysis of data from digital devices, including mobile devices, computers, and storage media.
• Supporting non-technical staff, including police officers, to operate digital forensic systems.
• Quality assuring/peer reviewing casework.
• Provision of evidence viewing capabilities for investigating officers.
• Answering technical queries from non-technical staff and police officers.
• Supporting colleagues within the Hub with queries and advice.
• Court appearance as witness of fact.
• Provide services over extended hours 7am-7pm and one weekend in twelve.
• Participate in the on-call rota.
• Digital Forensics operate a 24-7 on call service for urgent submissions. If it has been decided (by a Digital Strategy Advisor) that the circumstances warrant an on-call submission, the team member on call would meet the OIC at the lab or on scene to complete the examination. DF Technicians are on call no more than 1 week in every 8 (however it is usually less frequent than this due to the number of Technicians within the team).

Application process, training & additional information

The application process will be made up of three stages which include an application, online test and in person assessment.

If selected for the role all candidates must achieve competency. If unsuccessful despite support this will lead to either failing probation or reverting back to your original substantive Band.

Training will be full time between 9am and 5pm at Lambeth HQ for approximately 9-12 months, due to this it will not be possible to support flexible working patterns during this time. Once competent we will consider all reasonable requests including agile working of up to 20% of your working week, dependent on line manager support and operational delivery.

Members of Forensic Services need to provide a DNA and fingerprint elimination sample for FS’ embargo database, when accepting this role candidates are agreeing to provide these samples.

It is recommended that Digital Forensic Staff be vaccinated against Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B.

Digital Forensics may be introducing a 24/7 operating model as part of a transformation plan to ensure the best service to support operational policing. These teams would 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 would 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. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to join one of the 24/7 shift teams, if introduced, and be subject to rotation dependent on business requirements.

How to apply

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 25th 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 qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

• Degree (or significant experience) in relevant digital forensics, engineering, scientific or technical discipline.
• Numeracy skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and management skills.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Strong knowledge of, and interest in, all modern digital technologies with an emphasis on the forensic opportunities offered by their examination, and the challenges faced by law enforcement.
• Ability to build effective relationships with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as a team as well as autonomously.
• Ability to provide services over extended hours 7am-7pm and one weekend in twelve.
• Ability to join the on-call rota.

Desirable qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience

• Previous experience handling exhibits and evidence, and considerations around continuity and integrity.
• Familiarity with forensic environments and forensic quality management systems.
• An understanding of the rules regarding evidence gathering and its presentation at court.
• Knowledge of relevant legal powers/procedures/acts (CPIA, PACE and Human Rights Act etc.).
• Knowledge of working within a Quality Management System and understanding of ISO17025.
• Driving licence.

The following competencies will be tested against during sift

• We take ownership at level 1.
• We analyse critically at level 1.