Digital Forensic Technician (Audio) in London

Starting salary: £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.

Location: Lambeth

In today’s world, audio is more prevalent than ever. From mobile phones and CCTV to body worn video and emergency calls, thousands of audio recordings are made each day, providing valuable opportunities to support investigations and the Criminal Justice System. At the same time, rapidly evolving technologies including AI‑generated audio present new challenges, requiring on‑going research and development of new forensic analysis methods.

The Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) Audio Laboratory is a team of highly motivated practitioners who acquire, convert, enhance, edit, process and analyse audio from a wide range of digital and analogue sources to maximise its evidential value. Alongside casework, the laboratory is actively involved in exploring emerging technologies, undertaking research, contributing to specialist working groups and participating in collaborative exercises to develop a deeper understanding of the implications and opportunities for forensic audio.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Audio Laboratory as a Digital Forensic Technician. The primary focus of the role is the delivery of high‑quality forensic casework, supporting investigations through the examination and enhancement of audio evidence. You will combine your strong theoretical and practical audio knowledge with excellent attention to detail and effective problem‑solving skills, working to tight deadlines and managing competing operational demands. You will communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences, ensuring forensic opportunities are maximised and audio evidence is accessible to those who rely on it. You will also demonstrate a keen interest in emerging technologies, with opportunities over time to contribute to the laboratory’s ongoing development and innovation, whilst developing a unique and evolving skill set through continuous learning to meet the demands of current and future challenges.

The role is primarily based at Lambeth HQ, though you may on occasion be required to work from alternative locations dependent on operational need.

Key Activities

• Conversion of analogue and digital audio formats
• Editing audio and audiovisual recordings
• Enhancement of audio recordings to optimise intelligibility / listenability
• Providing advice and technical support to police officers
• Assessment of forensic submissions and the development of forensic strategies
• Carrying out technical checks and peer reviews for other practitioners
• Production of clear and appropriate casework records
• Preparation of statements and attendance at court as required
• Researching, testing and maintaining equipment, keeping laboratory asset registers updated
• Sharing information with and providing support to other members of the audio laboratory and Digital Forensics (DF).

Duties May Also Include

• Assessing the suitability of recordings for speaker comparison and other forensic phonetic work
• Assisting with maintenance of the Electrical Network Frequency (ENF) database
• Assisting more senior audio laboratory staff with analytical work and research
• Data recovery and recovery of damaged media
• Delivery of awareness talks and presentations to raise awareness of audio forensics, both internally and externally
• Delivery of technical training.

Additional Information

The role holder will be required to:

• Participate in occupational health requirements (a hearing test must be taken and passed every three years, and will be required before taking up the role if the successful candidate has not already passed a Met OH hearing test within the last three years)
• Provide a DNA sample and fingerprints for inclusion on the staff elimination databases
• Agree to abide by the MPS Standards of Conduct
• Comply with all mandatory training requirements
• Demonstrate continual development of competence in all key technical activities pertinent to this role, through training, competence and proficiency testing programmes. The individual is expected to attend available courses and in‑house training in addition to taking responsibility for their own continuing professional development
• Pass initial/further training elements within probationary period
• Work within the Forensic Services 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
• Understand and accept the core principles set out in the H&S Policy in relation to the role, duties and responsibilities and implement those principles and requirements in day‑to‑day activities
• Be aware that the base location is subject to change throughout your career due to operational and resource requirements and that you may be based in any location across the MPS estate
• Have the appropriate inoculations, if necessary
• Comply with the requirements of the Metropolitan Police Service policies on Drug and Alcohol testing (substance misuse)
• 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 and promote Metropolitan Police Service policies on diversity and inclusion both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others

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 comprising 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 in the future should business need require it. This will be subject to consultation and a notice period.

Application Process

The initial application will comprise:

• A CV (2 pages maximum)
• A personal statement (400 words maximum) clearly demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria
• Responses to two questions which will be assessed against the following Competency and Values Framework (CVF) elements at level 1 – please see the attached CVF documentation link which will assist you with this.

We take ownership: describe a time where you identified a problem. What actions did you take to resolve this and prevent it from occurring again in the future? (min 200 words, max 500 words)

We collaborate: describe a time where you have worked with others to achieve a task or goal (min 200 words, max 500 words)

Those successful at the paper‑sift stage will be invited to attend an interview which will comprise:

• A short presentation – full instructions will be provided within the invitation to interview allowing candidates time to prepare in advance.
• Technical questions to assess your knowledge of digital and analogue audio.
• Questions to assess the remaining elements of the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) at level 1:
• We are emotionally aware
• We analyse critically
• We are innovative and open minded
• We support and inspire

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

How To Apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply" button. The application process requires a CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement you must evidence how you meet the essential criteria for the role (400 words maximum). 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 Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 13/07/2026.

Essential For The Role

• A degree in an audio related discipline
• Work experience in an audio related field.
• Understanding of the principles of evidence handling, forensic quality standards/legislation and the presentation of evidence at court
• Knowledge of forensic audio techniques and their application including methods of acquisition/recovery, conversion, processing and analysis
• Knowledge of video and computer forensics techniques and their practical application
• Knowledge of programming for audio
• Ability to fault‑find with a systematic and logical approach.

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable 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.