Medicolegal Death Investigator I

Duties

• Receives notification of deaths, determines jurisdiction within the Medical Examiner's Office standard guidelines.
• Responds to investigate death; photographs the scene and decedent; conducts visual inspection of the decedent and makes notes of the condition of the body; collects and reviews medical records and demographic information that is pertinent to cause and manner of death.
• Gathers, secures and transports human remains; collects, preserves and transports evidence relevant to the cause and manner of death from death scenes and autopsies.
• Locates and notifies next-of-kin; collects, secures and releases personal property to next-of-kin; releases human remains to funeral homes. Transfers evidence via chain-of-custody to law enforcement agencies.
• Writes complete, accurate and comprehensive statements of investigation, describing the scene and circumstances of death to assist the Medical Examiner in the determination of cause and manner of death.
• Answers phones, performs data entry and routine office functions, maintains logs and records of work performed, works with bereaved families with respect and compassion, provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public and co-workers.
• May be required to provide testimony in court.
• Sets up in advance of autopsies, prepares room, selects instruments, sets up scale and specimen containers; after autopsy cleans room, instruments, equipment and containers.
• Prepares decedents for autopsy, including obtaining weights and measurements, fingerprints, photographs and radiographs.
• Assists with examinations as assigned, including but not limited to performing eviscerations, collecting and preserving toxicology samples and evidence, maintains detailed records, sutures and cleans body for release.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in biology, anatomy, and/or or physiology.
• 3 years of experience working as an autopsy technician, or in death investigations, or work that is directly related to conducting medicolegal investigations for a medical examiner or coroner’s office.
-OR-
• Associate’s degree with course work in biology, anatomy, and/or physiology.
• 4 years related experience as specified above.

Additional requirements:

• Knowledge and experience with digital photography required.
• Certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) preferred at time of hire; required within two (2) years of hire date.

At its sole discretion, Whatcom County may consider combinations of education, experience, certifications, and training in lieu of specifically required qualifications contained herein.

Special Requirements:

• Driving record that meets County standards.
• Possess a valid driver's license at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Must be eligible to cross the border between the United States and Canada at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Background check must meet County criteria for security sensitive position.
• Must pass job-related tests.

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